Members of a Canadian delegation that was denied entry to the West Bank earlier this month are now calling on Ottawa to impose tougher sanctions on new Israeli settlements in the occupied territory.
The delegation, which included six Canadian MPs, was travelling to meet with displaced Palestinians when it was turned away at the Allenby border crossing on Dec. 16.
Several witnesses say an Israeli border guard shoved Ontario MP Iqra Khalid during the confrontation at the crossing.
Representatives from groups involved in the trip — including The Canadian-Muslim Vote, Justice for All Canada, and the National Council of Canadian Muslims — are urging the federal government to ban imports of goods produced in the occupied West Bank. They are also calling for restrictions that would prevent Canadians from purchasing property in settlement areas.
The groups say their demands come after Israel’s security cabinet approved 19 new settlements earlier this month in parts of the West Bank under military occupation. Canada has joined several of its allies in condemning the decision.
Delegation members say they are in ongoing discussions with the office of Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand about the incident on Dec. 16, but have not yet met directly with the minister.
(Source: Global News)
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