Condemning the Attack on a Canadian Volunteer in the Occupied West Bank, Palestinian Territories
December 12, 2025
Justice For All Canada strongly condemns the violent attack on a Canadian and three Italian human rights defenders in the occupied West Bank on November 30, 2025, as well as the Canadian government’s failure to publicly denounce this assault on one of its own citizens.
The volunteers were targeted while providing protective accompaniment to Palestinian communities facing ongoing intimidation and displacement. In a written statement, the Canadian volunteer outlined that at around 4:30 a.m., masked settlers forced their way into the home where the volunteers were staying, assaulted and threatened those inside, told them they had no right to be there, and vandalized the property, destroying essential equipment before leaving.
This assault occurred in Area A of the West Bank, an area designated to be administered by the Palestinian Authority and where Israeli civilians are prohibited from entering. The settlers belong to a new settlement outpost in area A. While all Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law, irregular settler outposts are also illegal under Israeli law. The presence of settlers in this area therefore constituted violations of both international and Israeli law.
This incident is part of a wider pattern of escalating brutality across the occupied West Bank. According to United Nations reporting, 1,030 Palestinians —including 233 children—have been killed by Israeli military forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank over the past two years. Human rights organizations describe near-daily incidents ranging from property destruction, theft and forced displacement to killings, creating an environment of fear and instability for civilians and international volunteers alike.
While Radio-Canada has reported they received an email from Global Affairs Canada saying it is aware that a Canadian was injured in the West Bank, it should be noted that this is not equivalent to a public statement from the department or the foreign minister. The email from Global Affairs Canada to Radio-Canada condemned extremist settler violence, rejected annexation rhetoric, stressed civilian protection and reaffirmed that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law.
However, the absence of a formal condemnation from the Minister or department underscores the Canadian government’s continued reluctance to meaningfully address settler attacks, let alone the wider violence faced by Palestinian civilians. By contrast, Italy’s foreign minister condemned the November 30 attacks.
The Canadian government’s silence after a Canadian citizen was attacked by an Israeli settler is deeply troubling. When no official statement is issued, no concern is expressed and no accountability is demanded, it sends a clear message that the safety of Canadians is not being taken seriously.
Recommendations
Justice For All Canada therefore calls on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand to take immediate and decisive action to:
Justice For All Canada stands in full solidarity with the victims, their family, and all those working peacefully for dignity and justice in Palestine. We reaffirm our call for the protection of civilians, enforcement of international law and an immediate end to policies enabling violence and dispossession.
Justice For All Canada strongly condemns the violent attack on a Canadian and three Italian human rights defenders in the occupied West Bank on November 30, 2025, as well as the Canadian government’s failure to publicly denounce this assault on one of its own citizens.
The volunteers were targeted while providing protective accompaniment to Palestinian communities facing ongoing intimidation and displacement. In a written statement, the Canadian volunteer outlined that at around 4:30 a.m., masked settlers forced their way into the home where the volunteers were staying, assaulted and threatened those inside, told them they had no right to be there, and vandalized the property, destroying essential equipment before leaving.
This assault occurred in Area A of the West Bank, an area designated to be administered by the Palestinian Authority and where Israeli civilians are prohibited from entering. The settlers belong to a new settlement outpost in area A. While all Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law, irregular settler outposts are also illegal under Israeli law. The presence of settlers in this area therefore constituted violations of both international and Israeli law.
This incident is part of a wider pattern of escalating brutality across the occupied West Bank. According to United Nations reporting, 1,030 Palestinians —including 233 children—have been killed by Israeli military forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank over the past two years. Human rights organizations describe near-daily incidents ranging from property destruction, theft and forced displacement to killings, creating an environment of fear and instability for civilians and international volunteers alike.
While Radio-Canada has reported they received an email from Global Affairs Canada saying it is aware that a Canadian was injured in the West Bank, it should be noted that this is not equivalent to a public statement from the department or the foreign minister. The email from Global Affairs Canada to Radio-Canada condemned extremist settler violence, rejected annexation rhetoric, stressed civilian protection and reaffirmed that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law.
However, the absence of a formal condemnation from the Minister or department underscores the Canadian government’s continued reluctance to meaningfully address settler attacks, let alone the wider violence faced by Palestinian civilians. By contrast, Italy’s foreign minister condemned the November 30 attacks.
The Canadian government’s silence after a Canadian citizen was attacked by an Israeli settler is deeply troubling. When no official statement is issued, no concern is expressed and no accountability is demanded, it sends a clear message that the safety of Canadians is not being taken seriously.
Recommendations
Justice For All Canada therefore calls on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand to take immediate and decisive action to:
- Summon the Israeli Ambassador to formally protest the attack and demand an official apology.
- Issue a strong diplomatic warning regarding Israel’s failure to protect foreign nationals and Palestinian civilians.
- Engage in high-level diplomatic dialogue with allies on settler violence and illegal settlement expansion.
- Make clear that continued violence and annexation efforts will carry consequences, including the suspension of trade relations.
- Support independent international investigations and the prosecution of those responsible for settler violence.
- Go beyond charitable status revocation and restrict financial flows that support settlements and organisations such as the Jewish National Fund.
- Ban organisations that facilitate or promote settlement activity, including the World Zionist Organisation.
Justice For All Canada stands in full solidarity with the victims, their family, and all those working peacefully for dignity and justice in Palestine. We reaffirm our call for the protection of civilians, enforcement of international law and an immediate end to policies enabling violence and dispossession.