The Canadian MPs Denied Entry
To begin, it is important to identify the six Canadian Members of Parliament who were denied entry to Gaza.
Photo illustration shows MPs on the trip. From top left: Liberal MP Gurbux Saini, Liberal MP Fares Al Soud and Liberal MP Iqra Khalid. From bottom left: Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi, NDP MP Jenny Kwan and Liberal MP Aslam Rana.
Israel denied entry to Liberal MP Gurbux Saini, Liberal MP Fares Al Soud, Liberal MP Iqra Khalid, Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi, NDP MP Jenny Kwan, and Liberal MP Aslam Rana.
Questions About the Delegation and Funding
What makes this situation more concerning is that non-political figures involved in the delegation reportedly benefit from government-funded programs. The group traveled under the sponsorship of a Canadian registered charity known as The Canadian-Muslim Vote.
While Canadian media has framed this as a humanitarian or fact-finding visit, public records indicate that The Canadian-Muslim Vote benefits from taxpayer-supported funding. Compounding the issue, the delegation included mainly Liberal MPs, the other was also a radical Leftist MP representing the NDP raising questions about political intent.
This was clearly a political trip that could be used for political purposes. For many Canadians, this situation is deeply embarrassing and reflects poorly on the country’s diplomatic judgment.
Mark Carney’s Statements on Israel
The political context matters. In October, Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada would honor an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he were to visit Canada.
During an interview on Bloomberg Podcasts, Carney was asked directly whether Canada would arrest Netanyahu. He answered yes, without further elaboration.
Carney also confirmed that recognizing a Palestinian state was a policy priority for his government, arguing that Israel’s actions were, in his words, undermining the possibility of a two-state solution.
International Reaction and Legal Context
Netanyahu’s political advisor, Ophir Falk, criticized Carney’s comments, stating that Canada was abandoning a traditional ally and appeasing terrorism. Falk argued that Canada should welcome the leader of Israel, which he described as the only democracy in the Middle East.
The ICC issued arrest warrants last year for Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, as well as for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were later killed by Israel.
Israel rejects the ICC charges, arguing that its military actions comply with international law and that the court lacks jurisdiction, as Israel is not a member of the ICC.
While some countries have stated they would enforce the warrants, others have explicitly said they would not. The ICC has no enforcement mechanism and depends entirely on cooperation from member states.
Why the Gaza Delegation Was Rejected
Against this backdrop, Israel’s decision to deny entry to a delegation consisting mostly of Liberal MPs and aligned radical Leftists should not be surprising. From Israel’s perspective, this delegation aligned closely with Prime Minister Carney’s publicly stated positions.
Sending a politically uniform delegation into a conflict zone, especially after threatening to arrest Israel’s prime minister, undermines any claim of neutrality.
A Broader Problem With Political Grandstanding
This episode highlights a larger issue in Canadian politics. Foreign policy is being used for domestic political signaling, rather than diplomacy.
For many Canadians, this represents a failure of leadership and judgment. Politicians pursuing ideological agendas at the expense of national credibility erode public trust.
Final Thoughts
Faith should not be placed in politicians. Political leaders pursue agendas that serve their interests and ideologies. Jesus Christ, by contrast, leads through love, truth, and freedom, not through censorship or political coercion.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today.