Canadian MP calls for war crimes vetting of IDF veterans before entry to country

Jewish organizations said Israel is being targeted unfairly and instead, people should be investigated for Hamas links.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Canadian MP Sameer Zuberi has called for heightened screening of individuals who served in the Israel Defense Forces before allowing them entry into Canada, saying authorities must ensure they were not involved in violations of international law.

The Liberal MP made the remarks during a parliamentary immigration committee session, where he questioned Aaron McCrorie, vice president of intelligence and enforcement at the Canada Border Services Agency.

Zuberi cited reports from Israeli rights groups alleging war crimes during the Gaza conflict and asked whether Canada’s current vetting process was sufficient to safeguard national security.

“Are you confident that the safety and security of Canadians is protected, given the level of screening taking place for those involved in conflict zones, including members of the IDF?” he asked.

McCrorie replied that Canada’s security screening process uses general threat indicators established with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and is not directed at any particular country.

“Our mandate is to make sure we get every decision right,” he said, emphasizing that the same procedures apply to all applicants from conflict regions.

When pressed on whether any IDF applicants had been denied entry in the past two years due to war crimes concerns, McCrorie said he was unaware of any cases.

The exchange quickly drew reaction from advocacy groups. The National Council of Canadian Muslims reposted the committee video, asserting that anyone accused of war crimes must be held accountable “regardless of nationality.”

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East issued a similar statement calling for accountability for “anyone who participated in genocide or war crimes.”

Jewish organizations condemned Zuberi’s remarks as discriminatory. Richard Robertson of B’nai Brith Canada told The Jerusalem Post that the discussion resembled “a kangaroo court” targeting Israel unfairly.

“There’s no evidence that Israelis pose any threat to Canada’s borders,” he said, arguing that Ottawa should focus instead on investigating Hamas for its attacks on Israeli civilians.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed earlier this year that it had launched a structural investigation into alleged war crimes committed during the Israel–Hamas war under Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.

Initially focused on Hamas, the inquiry has since widened to include Israeli Canadians as part of its broader mandate.

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