Canada uses borders to police Palestine solidarity

Among those affected was former South African ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool, a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle.

Canada is facing criticism after several international speakers invited to a major convention in Toronto reported extraordinary immigration scrutiny, raising concerns about freedom of expression and political targeting linked to Palestine solidarity.

The Muslim Association of Canada said multiple guests at its annual convention experienced delayed or cancelled travel authorisations, revoked visas and prolonged interrogations at Toronto Pearson Airport. Some were denied water and refused space to pray. The organisation described the treatment as “deliberate and coordinated.”

Among those affected was former South African ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool, a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle. Rasool said the questioning reminded him of apartheid-era interrogations, though in a less coercive form. British commentator Anas Altikriti reportedly spent 11 hours under questioning before abandoning his attempt to enter Canada.

In each case, those targeted had publicly criticised Israeli policy or engaged in Palestine-related advocacy.

Earlier this year, French Palestinian member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan was denied entry into Canada before scheduled speaking engagements in Montreal. In November, former United Nations Special Rapporteur Richard Falk and his wife Hilal Elver were detained and questioned for hours at Toronto Pearson Airport before attending the Palestine Tribunal in Ottawa. Falk said officials interrogated him about his work on Gaza and his criticism of Israeli policy, suggesting he posed a national security threat. He later warned that the episode reflected “a climate of governmental insecurity” and an effort “to clamp down on dissident voices.”

The repeated incidents have drawn attention to Canada’s border practices and their impact on political discourse. Advocacy groups argue that the measures amount to policing of Palestine solidarity and risk silencing critical voices.