October 11, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza remains unstable and is deteriorating rapidly. Canada’s missions in the region are closely monitoring events and working with likeminded partners and governments, as well as the international community, to address the situation.

Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Bill Blair, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Marc Miller, and the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, provided an update on support for Canadians in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, particularly with regard to assistance in leaving the region.

The safety of Canadians abroad is Canada’s top priority. Canada is actively working to help Canadians, permanent residents and their eligible family members depart Tel Aviv for Athens, with assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces, and from there on to Canada via Air Canada flights. Canadian officials are also working on other options for those who cannot travel to Tel Aviv Airport in Israel.

Canada is currently deploying members of Global Affairs Canada’s Standing Rapid Deployment Team (SRDT) to the region to enhance its mission support capacity and better assess needs on the ground.

The EPDR consists of highly trained personnel who are rapidly deployable to assist the Government of Canada in responding to emergency situations. Team members provide emergency response, coordination support, consular assistance and logistical support.

Consular services continue to be provided to Canadians in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Officials in Ottawa also communicate regularly with affected Canadians and provide information and advice as the situation develops. In addition, officials at Canadian missions in neighbouring countries are actively supporting the response to the crisis.

Canadians wishing to leave the region or requiring urgent consular assistance should contact the Canadian Embassy in Israel, Tel Aviv, at 972 (3) 636-3300, Canada’s Mission in Ramallah, West Bank, at 972 (2) 297-8430, or the Global Affairs Canada Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa:

• by phone: +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls will be accepted when service is available)
• by email: sos@international.gc.ca
• by SMS: +1 613-686-3658
• via WhatsApp: +1 613-909-8881
• by signal: +1 613-909-8087
• via Telegram: “Emergency Canada Abroad”

Canadians who wish to leave the region should also register with the Registering the service for Canadians abroad the Government of Canada so that Global Affairs Canada officials can provide updates and important information directly to them.

Canada urges all Canadians affected by the crisis to consult the Travel advice for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as often as possible to receive updates.