CIMM – Situation in Gaza and the West Bank – December 05, 2023

Key Facts And Figures

• Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is leading a consular operation to assist Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members who are seeking to leave Gaza and the West Bank.
• In early November, the Government of Canada started to receive permission for the departure of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their family members out of Gaza via the Rafah border crossing. The operation is expected to continue over the next several days and weeks.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is supporting assisted departures by ensuring Canadians, permanent residents and their immediate family members have any required authorization or travel documents for travel to Canada.
• The Government of Canada has assisted over [redacted]
• Since October 12, 2023, Canada has committed over $70M in funding for humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs arising from the crisis in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

Key Messages

• Canada remains deeply concerned about the ongoing and escalating situation in Gaza.

• IRCC is working closely with GAC, including at our missions throughout the Middle East (e.g., Cairo, Tel Aviv, Amman, etc.), to support the assisted departure of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their eligible family members out of Gaza.

• The Government of Canada is identifying Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the region, as well as their spouses and children, so we can provide them with the information and support they need to get to safety.

Supplementary Information

If pressed on special immigration measures:

• We are closely monitoring the situation as it evolves and will adapt our response accordingly.

• For all individuals who are included by GAC in the assisted departures leaving Gaza, IRCC is expediting the processing of applications so they may travel with their family to Canada. This includes enrolling biometrics and completing all assessments, including security, to ensure clients are admissible to Canada.

• Canada does not require family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to submit a complete application prior to their exit from Gaza as part of the assisted departure. This measure is specific to the context in Gaza and reflects the current realities on the ground.

• [Redacted]

If pressed on scope of assisted departure (i.e., definition of family):

• Immediate family members not accompanied by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident have been included as part of the consular operation for Gaza.

• Canada recognizes the importance of keeping families together. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will tailor our response to meet the unique needs of those who require our support. Officers have the tools and authorities necessary to deal with individual vulnerable cases as they arise.

If pressed on complications with Rafah border crossings:

• The Rafah border crossing operations involve complex negotiations and are unpredictable. Canada continues to work with authorities on all sides in order to advocate for the safe exit of Canadian Citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members out of Gaza.

If pressed on resettlement from Gaza / Palestinian Territories:

• In general, Canada relies on the United Nations Refugee Agency, other referral organizations and private sponsorship groups for referrals of refugees who need to be resettled. Each application would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If pressed on why Canada is not providing a similar humanitarian effort that was provided in the cases of Ukraine or Afghanistan:

• When responding to international crises, Canada tailors each response to meet the unique needs of those who require our support while reflecting the realities of the situation on the ground. Any new developments would be communicated publicly.

If pressed on comparison with program offered by Australia for all Palestinians:

• We are in touch with likeminded countries, including Australia, on the response to the crisis in Gaza. Like Canada, we understand Australia’s consular support to leave Gaza is focused on Australian citizens, permanent residents and their family members to depart Gaza.

• We understand Australia is prioritising visitor visa application assessments for those directly affected by the crisis with urgent need for travel.

• A visitor visa from a third country does not on its own enable crossing at the Rafah border into Egypt.

If pressed on what else Canada is doing to help:

• In addition to the consular operations including assisted departures, Canada is focusing its efforts towards immediate humanitarian responses in Gaza to provide essential support such as food, water, emergency medical assistance, protection services, and other life-saving aid.