 | |
 Canada |  Israel |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Canada,Tel Aviv | Embassy of Israel,Ottawa |
| Envoy | |
| AmbassadorDeborah Lyons | AmbassadorIddo Moed |
Canada andIsrael share bilateral diplomatic, commercial, and cultural ties. Canadarecognised Israel on 11 May 1949, three days before the first anniversary of theIsraeli Declaration of Independence, and currently maintains an embassy inTel Aviv;[1] Israel maintains an embassy inOttawa, at50 O'Connor Street,[2] and regional consulates inMontreal andToronto.[3][4]
In the 1930s, as tensions rose between theArab andJewish populations ofMandatory Palestine, restrictions were placed by theBritish authorities onJewish immigration to the region. During this time, Canadian prime ministerMackenzie King, who has been accused of harbouring latentanti-Semitism during his lifetime, passively accepted the British anti-immigration policies in the Mandate.[5] In general, the immigration of Jews to theHoly Land was not met with opposition or concern in Canada; however, institutions and groups such as theRoman Catholic Church inQuebec expressed hostility toward Jews andZionism, largely on the basis ofexisting theological prejudices.[6][7]
In 1947, as a representative on theUnited Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP), Canada was among the 33 countries that voted in favour of thePartition Plan for Palestine, which aimed to split the British Mandate into anArab state and aJewish state with aninternationalised Jerusalem. Despite heavy pressure from theUnited Kingdom on theCommonwealth of Nations to abstain during the vote, the Partition Plan was adopted by theUnited Nations General Assembly with a majority of the representatives in favour. While the Partition Plan could not be implemented as intended due to the outbreak ofa civil war in the territory, theState of Israel emerged withan agreed border by 1949.[citation needed]
Canada grantedde facto recognition to Israel in December 1948 and fullde jure recognition on 11 May 1949 after the Jewish state was admitted into theUnited Nations as amember state. One week later,Avraham Harman was appointed as Israel's firstConsul-General to Canada. In September 1953, a Canadian embassy was opened inTel Aviv, andMichael Comay was appointed as the Israeli ambassador to Canada; a Canadian ambassador to Israel was appointed in 1958.[citation needed]
In May 1961,David Ben-Gurion was the firstIsraeli Prime Minister to make an official visit to Canada. Since then, officials from both countries have made frequent trips. Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada have visited, Israel demonstrating the ever strengthening relationship and cooperation. In addition, the premiers of Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and Alberta and cabinet ministers from other provinces, have led successful commercial and cultural missions to Israel. A number of Canadian municipalities aretwinning with Israeli cities.In 1957, after theSinai Campaign,Lester Pearson, theSecretary of State for External Affairs, received theNobel Peace Prize for successfully leading the process by which UN peace keeping troops were stationed along the border between Israel and Egypt. Canadian troops also played a central role in theUnited Nations Emergency Force (UNEF). This role is part of the wider Canadian commitment to efforts designed to end theArab-Israel conflict.[5] Later, in the late 1970s, Canada encouraged the peace negotiations betweenIsraeli Prime MinisterMenachem Begin andEgyptian PresidentAnwar Sadat, and Begin stopped in Canada and met withPrime MinisterPierre Trudeau in 1977.
In general, while diplomatic relations were cordial, they were not particularly close during this period. A number of Canadian diplomats, like their European counterparts, tended to support the Arab positions against Israel in the United Nations and other frameworks. The CanadianArabists, such asAmbassador Michael D. Bell, sought to align policy with the Arab states in order to promote commercial interests, and to gain Arab support for Canadian candidates and positions, in the United Nations. These positions generated considerable friction with Israel.
In the 1970s, the issue of Canadian complicity in theArab economic warfare against Israel became an issue, particularly as cooperation with the boycott was illegal in the U.S., and was inconsistent with Canada's declaratory role as a global peace-maker. Ontario and Manitoba adopted anti-boycott policies, leading Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to consider federal legislation to prohibit Canadians and Canadian companies from cooperating with the Arab economic boycott of Israel. When corporate interests dealing with Arab and Muslim opposed the legislation, fearing a backlash, Trudeau allowed the legislation to die.[8]
During Brian Mulroney's time in office, Canada's support for Israel received strong public endorsement during theGulf War, during whichIraqi missiles were fired into Israel fromoccupied Kuwait. Canadian forces were part of theUnited States-led coalition againstBa'athist Iraq during this time.
In the multilateral negotiations that took place after the1991 Madrid Conference, Canada agreed to head the multilateral working group onPalestinian refugee issues. Although a number of meetings were held and different options were discussed, no agreements were reached. In 1995, the multilateral talks reached an impasse.[9]
Since 1995 Palestine has had a diplomatic delegation,Palestinian General Delegation to Canada, in Ottawa. This flowed from the decision of theJean Chretien government in support of theOslo Accords.[10]
TheHarper government played a direct role in forming policy for the region,[11] seeking to adjust the positions to be in conformity with the principles of theConservative majority. Consequently, diplomats who promotedanti-Israel orArabist policies lost influence.[citation needed]
As anti-Israel political movements spread to Canada, including at university campuses through events such asIsraeli Apartheid Week (IAW), Canadian government officials and members of parliament from different parties expressed opposition. In 2010, Conservative MPTim Uppal introduced a motion in theCanadian House of Commons that condemned IAW "for seeking to delegitimize the State of Israel by equating it with the racist South African apartheid regime." NDP and Bloc Québécois members refused to agree to its unanimous passage. The Bloc submitted its own motion, which also criticised use of the word "apartheid" but added a clause, stating not every criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic. The result was that all parties, with the exception of some NDP members, denounced Israeli Apartheid Week.[12]
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On 29 April 2009, to mark the 61st anniversary of the State of Israel, PM Stephen Harper said "We count ourselves among Israel's closest partners. Since its founding, Canada has supported Israel and its right to live in peace and security with its neighbours. We value this relationship and look forward to continued friendship and collaboration."[13]
In a magazine interview published 12 February 2010, Environment MinisterPeter Kent said: "Prime Minister Harper has made it quite clear for some time now and has regularly stated that an attack on Israel would be considered an attack on Canada."[14][15]
Following the return of the Liberal Party to power under Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau in 2015, relations between Canada and Israel remained largely unchanged. In September 2016, Trudeau headed the Canadian delegation to the state funeral of Israeli leaderShimon Peres, and in his condolence message, stated: "Mr. Peres was an internationally-respected statesman and a great friend to Canada. He visited our country often, and helped build relations that remain strong to this day."[16]
On 7 October 2023 occurred theHamas-led attack on Israel. The day after theHamas-led attack on Israel, Trudeau issued a statement condemning Hamas’ attack and affirming Israel’s right to defend itself while maintaininginternational law.[17] On 24 October 2023, Trudeau rejected calls for a ceasefire in theGaza War but said he supported "humanitarian pauses" to deliver aid to the people of theGaza Strip.[18] However, on 14 November 2023, Trudeau urged Israel to stop "this killing of women, of children, of babies" in the Gaza Strip. His statements were subsequently criticized by Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu.[19] Over the course of the war, Canada implemented anarms embargo on Israel and issuedsanctions against several Israeli settlers and organizations, citing West Bank violence.[20][21] Trudeau neither endorsed nor rejectedSouth Africa's genocide case against Israel.[22] In 2024, Trudeau stated that Canada would "abide" by theInternational Criminal Court (ICC) investigation in Palestine's issuing of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu if he entered the country.[23]
In February 2025, Israeli Defense MinisterIsrael Katz suggested that some Palestinians from Gaza shouldimmigrate to Canada because Canada has a "structured immigration program".[24] In April 2025, Prime MinisterMark Carney disagreed with the accusation that Israel was committinggenocide in Gaza.[25]
In May 2025, Canada summoned the Israeli ambassador to CanadaIddo Moed after Israeli forces fired warning shots towards a diplomatic delegation that included four Canadians, during a visit inJenin.[26] In an interview withCBC News, Moed claimed that the diplomats may have been "led astray."[27] In an interview withGlobal News, he stated that Canada–Israel relations were in a "new atmosphere."[28] Prime Minister Carney described the shooting as "totally unacceptable: it's one of many things that are totally unacceptable going on in the region.", with political commentators viewing the relationship between the two countries as breaking down.[29]On 19 May 2025, Canada, along with Britain and France, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's "egregious" actions in Gaza. They warned of the possibility of "further concrete actions" if Israel continued its military offensive and failed to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid.[30] In June 2025, Carney compared theIsraeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and occupation of theWest Bank to theRussian invasion of Ukraine.[31]
Canada's activities and policies in the United Nations arena are generally a major expression of and component of its foreign policy, and the issues surrounding Israel receive disproportionate attention in the UN, due largely to the hostility of theArab League and theOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation, which form the largest voting bloc in the international body.[32] In 1947, Canada was represented on theUnited Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP), and was among the 33 countries that voted in favour of the1947 UN partition resolution, which led to the establishment of the State of Israel.
In 1956 theSecretary of State for External Affairs of CanadaLester B. Pearson was instrumental in forming theUnited Nations Emergency Force in theFirst Emergency Special Session of theUnited Nations General Assembly. Thesepeacekeepers were the first of their kind, and directed against the French, British and Israeli forces who sought to maintain the status quo in theSuez Crisis.
In order to avoid conflict and criticism from the oil-rich Arab countries, and reflecting the advice of the Arabists among the Canadian diplomatic corps, such asMichael D Bell for many years,[33] Canada either abstained or joined in voting against the numerous anti-Israel resolutions, in contrast to the United States, which voted with Israel. For many In the 1990s, the friction between Canada and Israel increased over this issue.[citation needed]
This policy changed under the Harper government, which voted more on the basis of support for and identification with Israeli democracy. On many anti-Israel resolutions introduced annually in the UN, Canada began to vote with Israel, the US, and Australia, and not with the Arab and Islamic blocs. For example, in the 2011 General Assembly Canada voted against a series of one-sided and strictly political resolution promoting "solidarity" with the Palestinians.[12]
In October 2010, Canada lost to Portugal in a vote for a seat at the Security Council, which has been attributed by some to the Arab and Islamic bloc's effort to punish Ottawa for not supporting anti-Israel agendas at the UN.[34][35][36] At a conference on combating anti-Semitism in Ottawa, 8 November 2010, Canadian PM Harper said, "I know, by the way, because I have the bruises to show for it, that whether it is at the United Nations, or any other international forum, the easiest thing to do is simply to just get along and go along with this anti-Israeli rhetoric […] There are, after all, a lot more votes — a lot more — in being anti-Israeli than in taking a stand. But, as long as I am prime minister, whether it is at the UN or theFrancophonie or anywhere else, Canada will take that stand, whatever the cost."[37]
In 2016, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that in 2020, Canada would seek election to the Security Council, raising concerns that in order to get support from the 57-nationOrganization of Islamic Cooperation bloc, Ottawa would return to policies and votes for resolutions that targeted Israel.[38]
In May 2024, Canada abstained from a vote for recognition of Palestinian statehood at the UN.[39]
Canada exports agricultural products andraw materials to Israel, which, in turn, exportsdiamonds,textiles, clothing, and food products to Canada. On 31 July 1996, Canada and Israel signed a free trade agreement, called theCanada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA). It came into effect on 1 January 1997. Bilateral trade subsequently increased to $1.24 billion by 2005.
In 2012, Joe Oliver, Canadian Minister of Natural Resources, andUzi Landau, the former Israeli Minister of Energy and Water Resources, announced the creation of the Canada-Israel Energy Science and Technology Fund to spur the development of energy technologies and processes for the development ofunconventional oil and gas resources. The Fund is expected to generate $20 to $40 million in collaborative research and development over a period of three years. Two Canadian R & D workshops took place in March 2013, bringing together leading Canadian and Israeli stakeholders.[40]
In September 2019, following four years of negotiations, the updated version of CIFTA entered into force, following ratification by both governments. The new agreement included Israeli access to Canada for the sales of produce and grain products, as well as wines. Israel agreed to tariff exemptions for Canadian companies in the realm of agricultural, agri-food and fisheries products. Clauses on women's rights and gender equality in trade were also included.[41] The volume of bilateral trade between Israel and Canada in 2018 was $1.1 billion, consisting primarily of chemical and machinery-related products, as well as medical or optical instruments.[41]
Israel was among Canada's top twelve non-US export destinations for military equipment in 2021 and 2022. Canada exported $26.1 million worth of military goods and technology to Israel in 2021,[42] and $21.3 million worth in 2022.[43]
On 19 March 2024,Melanie Joly announced that Canada would halt future arms deals to Israel, due to alleged Israeli failure to do enough to protect civilians in Gaza during the war.[44] Canada "had already reduced its weapons shipments to Israel to non-lethal equipment such as radios" at some point "following the October 7 Hamas attack."[45] Parliament "passed a non-binding resolution calling for the international community to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians" that week,[45] but three of theTrudeau government's members voted against the motion.[46] The vote was 204-117 with the support ofLiberal Party of Canada, theNew Democratic Party, theBloc Québécois and theGreen Party of Canada also called on Canada to work "towards the establishment of the state of Palestine".[44] It came to light then that Joly had not approved an arms export permit since 8 January, and that Joly said "There are no open permits for exports of lethal goods to Israel".[46]Israel Katz, Israel's Foreign Minister, responded by saying: "History will judge Canada’s current action harshly."[47] Industry executives such as represented by theCanadian Association of Defence and Security Industries were baffled and dismayed,[48] while trade unions such as theCanadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), theCanadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and thePublic Service Alliance of Canada thought it right and proper.[49] TheCanadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East thought the NDP measure didn't go far enough.[50]
On 10 September 2024 Joly blocked the shipment of Quebec-manufactured ammunition from a subsidiary ofGeneral Dynamics to the US that was bound for Israel.[51][52] Joly "was adamant Canada must end any arms shipments to the conflict in Gaza."[52] Since 7 October 2023 she had also suspended 30 arms export permits towards Israel.[52] It was said at the time that this measure "is also adversely affecting Canadian jobs and preventing Canadian Forces from accessing essential equipment like the pilot helmets produced in partnership between Israeli and Canadian suppliers."[52] TheNational Council of Canadian Muslims urged this course on Joly.[51] It was noticed in Israel that Joly had suspended from 7 October to date 30 arms export permits.[53] In May 2025, theInvestigative Journalism Foundation reported that Israel's largest arms manufacturerElbit Systems had offered to sellOntario drones to combatforest fires.[54]
In July 2025, data uncovered from entries in the database of the Israel Tax Authority showed that Canadian goods continued to enter Israel, described by the Israeli government as military weapon parts and ammunition. Details of 2025 imports from Canadian companies included bullets and other military hardware of a kind that the Canadian government previously stated could not be shipped to Israel under the current arms ban.[55]
A 2005Gallup Poll of Canadian views on the Arab-Israeli conflict found that 34% sympathised most with Israel, 30% sympathised most with Palestinian Arabs, and 36% said they did not have sympathy for either party or had no opinion.[56]
According to aCOMPAS poll during the 2006 Lebanon War, the majority of Canadians believed Israel has a right to self-defense andIran andSyria should not be shelteringHezbollah, which is classified as aterrorist organisation in Canada. 45% of Canadians opposed Harper's pro-Israeli stance. According to the COMPAS poll, 38 per cent of those polled believed Hezbollah started the war, and 35 per cent believe Israel started the war.[57]
According to a 2013BBC World Service Poll, 25% of Canadians view Israel as having a positive influence.[58] An online poll, by Canada's Sun News in 2014, indicated that 72% would support Israel in a war withIran.[59]
In another poll conducted in 2012, 48% of Canadians supported their government favouring neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians.[60]
A poll conducted by Canada'sForum Research after the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, found that 26% of Canadians support Israel, while 17% support Palestinians. Despite Canadians' support for Israel, they still remain critical of Israel's policies, as 49% believed the attack on Gaza during that summer was not justified (against 30% who think it was), 42% agreed that Israel's use of force was out of proportion, and 41% disagreed thatHamas is the only one responsible for the deaths of innocent Gazans. However, a large majority of 73% believed Hamas' rocket attacks on Israel are unjustified.[61]
AnEKOS poll conducted in September 2023 found that 48% of Canadians aged 18 to 34 saw Israel as "a state with segregation similar to apartheid", compared to 29% of Canadians aged 55 to 64.[62] AMainstreet Research poll conducted in early November 2023 found that 59% of Canadians approved of Canada's support for Israel in theGaza war, while 18% disapproved.[63] On the subject ofPalestinian genocide accusations, anAngus Reid poll conducted in early February 2024 found that 41% of Canadians believed Israel is committing genocide, while 32% rejected the accusation.[64]
An early summer 2025 poll revealed that approximately half of Canadians believe Israel is committinggenocide againstPalestinians. Only one in five disagrees, with this disbelief being more prevalent among conservatives. Over 60% of supporters from the Liberal, NDP, Green Party, and Bloc Québécois agreed that Israel’s actions constitute genocide.[65]
| Embassy of Israel in Ottawa | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ottawa |
| Address | 50 O'Connor St., suite 1005 |
| Ambassador | Nimrod Barkan |
| Embassy of Canada to Israel in Tel Aviv | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tel Aviv |
| Address | Canada House, 3/5 Nirim Street, 4th Floor, Tel Aviv 6706038, Israel |
| Ambassador | Lisa Stadelbauer |
TheEmbassy of Israel inOttawa isIsrael'sembassy in Canada. It is located at 50O'Connor Street, suite 1005, inOttawa, the Canadian capital. Israel also operates Canadian regional consulates inMontreal andToronto. In May 2011, it was vandalised with a spray painted message which read "Embassy of War Crimes".[70]
It was reported in October 2022 that theRCMP had downgraded security for the Embassy of Israel in Ottawa and Israeli head of mission shortly afterNimrod Barkan, the former ambassador of Israel to Canada, retired in November 2019.[71] Officials at the Embassy of Israel in Ottawa have stated that in the current climate there is a feeling of being at risk of violence after nearly three years of pushingGlobal Affairs Canada to increase its security.[71]
In 2013,Vivian Bercovici from Toronto was appointed as the Canadian Ambassador to Israel, and she served until June 2016. Currently,Lisa Stadelbauer is the Canadian Ambassador to Israel. She has served since 2021.[72]
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