The Canadian government has taken steps to facilitate the safe extraction of Canadians stuck in Tel Aviv amidst escalating violence. The plan is to employ Canadian Armed Forces aircraft in the rescue operation, as disclosed by Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly. The gesture of assistance extends not just to Canadian citizens but to their spouses and children as well; additionally, Canadian permanent residents, along with their families, will also be airlifted.
The Canadian leadership is exploring potential measures to ensure the safety of those who are unable to make it to the Tel Aviv airport. The conflict, now in its fourth day, has been triggered by an incursion into Israel by a group designated by Canada as terrorists, Hamas. The confrontation, and Israeli reprisal strikes, have claimed countless lives and left unnumbered individuals, including Canadian citizens, trapped.
Canadians finding themselves stranded in Israel report that their attempts at finding a way home have ended in failure. This is attributed to not just widespread flight cancellations, but also to the embassy struggling to provide its assistance despite increased consular capacity.
One Canadian, Mike Safi, articulated his expectation for prompt extraction arrangements amid deteriorating conditions in the region and recognised the airlift commitments made by other countries.
Following a day filled with queries and pressure from opposition groups, Joly vowed to impart further information on the evacuation plan. In her statement, she empathised with Canadians who wish to return home to their families but are unable to do so safely.
The government advised those Canadian nationals currently in the region who have not registered to do so at the earliest, allowing embassy officials to disseminate detailed information regarding the upcoming flights directly to them. It was confirmed that two Canadians have tragically lost their lives while three others remain unaccounted for.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of the planned airlift, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) announced that the embassies in Tel Aviv and Ramallah would continue to function unless security conditions dictate otherwise. They revealed that embassy officials were on standby in various locations including Ottawa, Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon, ready to offer emergency assistance, including addressing queries about flight details.
The Official Opposition Conservatives had earlier urged the federal government to provide immediate evacuation flights. In reaction to the government’s handling of the crisis, Conservative MP and foreign affairs critic, Michael Chong, levelled criticisms at the government’s delay in aiding Canadians wishing to depart from the beleaguered nation.
NDP MP and foreign affairs critic, Heather McPherson, emphasised the importance of working in partnership with allies on the ground. McPherson also shared her concerns about the safety of Canadians in Israel and Palestine and stressed the need for pro-active consular support.
Meanwhile, the Department of National Defence—assuring that Canadian Armed Forces members assigned to multinational missions in the region were safe—recognised the need for ongoing measures to protect the safety and security of deployed personnel and their families.
