Operation PROTEUS

Operation PROTEUS is Canada’s contribution to the Office of Security Coordination for Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Canadian Armed Forces members serve with the Office of Security Coordination for Israel and the Palestinian Authority team as part of Canada’s military task force in Jerusalem.

What are Canadian Armed Forces members doing during Operation PROTEUS?

The Canadian Armed Forces members on Operation PROTEUS fill key Office of Security Coordination for Israel and the Palestinian Authority positions. They are an integrated part of the team. Task Force Jerusalem’s aim within the team is to help the Palestinian Authority Security Forces build their capacity.

The members of Task Force Jerusalem:

• Provide the Palestinian Authority Security Forces with training advice and support.
• Help the Palestinian Authority Security Forces develop better systems for logistics.
• Support the development of training programs for the Palestinian Authority Security Forces. These programs aim to improve professionalism.

Task Force Jerusalem works closely with other Canadian government civilian staff in the region. The aim is to:

• Develop the Palestinian Authority’s ability to keep its citizens safe and secure.
• Promote peace in the region.

History and context of the operation

The U.S. Secretary of State established the Office of Security Coordination for Israel and the Palestinian Authority in 2005. It was set up to meet U.S. commitments under the Middle East Roadmap for Peace.

The Office of Security Coordination for Israel and the Palestinian Authority is a military and civilian team made up from a number of countries. Its members are from different military branches and civilian agencies. American Department of Defense service members assigned to the State Department make up the group’s core. The Office of Security Coordination for Israel and the Palestinian Authority team also includes military and civilian staff from other countries such as:

• Canada
• the Netherlands
• Turkey
• the United Kingdom

Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Greece also provide technical training experts and advisors.

The Office of Security Coordination for Israel and the Palestinian Authority’s mandate is to:

• Encourage Israel and the Palestinian Authority to coordinate security.
• To build the security capacity of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

The Office of Security Coordination for Israel and the Palestinian Authority’s mission is to:

• Help the Palestinian Authority to make its security sector more professional.
• Engage with the Israelis and the Palestinians on security initiatives that build trust and confidence in order to meet Roadmap obligations.
• Support efforts by other countries that work toward a negotiated two-state solution.

Canada in the Middle East

Canada is a strong supporter of the Middle East Peace Process. It has an active role in working with other countries to achieve peace in the region. It also provides a large amount of aid. Operation PROTEUS is a critical part of Canada’s broader aim in the Middle East Peace Process. It is also important to the region as a whole.

The Canadian Armed Forces has been involved in peace-support efforts in the Middle East for more than 50 years. Other Canadian Armed Forces engagements in the region are:

• Operation JADE, Canada’s role in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). The UNSO is also headquartered in Jerusalem; and
• Operation CALUMET, Canada’s support to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO). The MFO is based at El Gorah, Egypt.

External links

Government of Canada

• Canada and the Middle East Peace Process (Global Affairs Canada)

Government of the United States

• United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (U.S. Department of State)