Canada has updated its travel advisories, urging citizens to avoid all travel to Israel and the West Bank due to an increasingly unpredictable security situation. This advisory, issued by Global Affairs Canada, highlights a heightened risk of attacks within Israeli territories and escalating violence in the West Bank.
The advisory comes in the wake of a recent violent incident where Israeli settlers stormed a Palestinian village in the West Bank, resulting in the death of a Palestinian man and injuries to 25 others. The settlers reportedly shot at residents and set ablaze houses and cars.
This escalation in violence coincides with other international responses, including statements from the EU and Britain condemning the actions of extremist settlers. The volatile situation has also impacted businesses, with tour companies expressing shock and grief as regional security concerns disrupt their operations.
Moreover, the advisory follows a tragic event less than two weeks ago, where an Israeli airstrike struck a convoy in the Gaza Strip, killing seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen, one of whom was a dual Canadian-American citizen.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly emphasized the volatility of the regional security situation, which could escalate further without warning. She advised Canadians in the region to consider departing by commercial means while it is still possible.