July 11, 2014 - The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular), today issued the following statement regarding the situation in Gaza:
“The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. We urge Canadians to leave immediately by any available means, while options still exist. The ability of Canadian officials to provide consular assistance is becoming increasingly limited as conditions worsen. Staff from the Standing Rapid Deployment Team have been sent to the affected region to provide additional support to our embassy. Canada’s advice against all travel to the Gaza Strip is long-standing.
“Canadians wishing to leave the Gaza Strip should contact Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre by phone, collect, at +1 613-996-8885 or by email at sos@international.gc.ca.
“Canadian citizens in Gaza requiring consular assistance should contact the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah at 972 (2) 297-8430, or contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre by phone, collect, at +1 613-996-8885 or by email at sos@international.gc.ca.
“For the latest advice and more information from the Government of Canada, Canadians should consult the travel advice and advisory for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Twitter users may also follow @DFATDCanada and @CanEmbIsrael.
“We also strongly recommend that Canadian citizens currently in Gaza register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive the latest advice from the Government of Canada.”
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Saro Khatchadourian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)
613-944-2300
Saro.Khatchadourian@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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