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

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

Today, the Secretary of State, the Honorable Mélanie Joly, the Minister of National Defense, the Honorable Bill Blair, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honorable Marc Miller, and the Minister of Transport, the Honorable Pablo Rodriguez, provided an update in support for Canadians in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, 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 leave Tel Aviv to Athens, with the support of the Canadian Armed Forces, and from there to Canada thanks to 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 (PRDT) to the region with the aim of improving its mission support capabilities and better assessing local needs.

The EPDR consists of highly trained personnel who are rapidly deployed 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 available to Canadians in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Officials in Ottawa are also communicating regularly with affected Canadians, providing information and advice as the situation develops. In addition, officials from Canadian missions in neighboring 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 at the Global Affairs Canada Emergency Watch and Response Center in Ottawa:

• by telephone: +1 613-996-8885 (calls accepted when this service is available)
• by email: [email protected]
• via text: +1 613-686-3658
• via WhatsApp: +1 613-909-8881
• by signal: +1 613-909-8087
• via Telegram: “Emergency Canada abroad”

Canadians planning to leave the region should also register with the Registration of 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 Travel advice for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as often as possible to receive updates.