Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have opened an investigation into Canadian citizens who went to Israel to voluntarily serve with the Israeli military against Hamas after the October 7th attack despite the fact that Hamas is a mutually shared enemy of Canada and Israel.

The RCMP says it is “proactively” collecting information about possible war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Israel-Hamas armed conflict. Although no criminal investigations have been opened, information is currently being gathered on possible crimes by any party involved.

“The primary objective is to proactively collect relevant information that may support future investigative steps, should jurisdictional and legal thresholds be met,” reads a statement by the RCMP.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, a pro-Palestinian group, requested that the RCMP specifically look into Canadians who went to overseas to serve alongside the Israeli military in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria. The reason given for the probe? That there is a “serious likelihood that they [Canadians who went to serve alongside Israeli forces] are involved in the commission of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.”

The RCMP says that the investigation is “structural” which means that it “is a broad, intelligence-led intake process designed to collect, preserve, and assess information potentially relevant under Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.”
The force has stated, however, that “should a perpetrator of core international crimes – such as genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity – with the appropriate nexus to Canada be identified, the RCMP will initiate a separate criminal investigation.”

Canada’s Concerning Actions

The question to ask is this: with the dramatic uptick in antisemitism across Canada, the skyrocketing crime and fentanyl crisis, why is Canada’s federal police force spending time and using resources to investigate Canadians who went to assist a foreign ally against a common enemy?

Additionally, Canada’s relationship and diplomatic stance couldn’t get much worse than it currently is with Israel since the October 7th attack based upon this recent action, along with the devastating moves it has made on the international stage.

Last month, Canada joined a joint statement with the U.K. and France where the first line read: “We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.” So is it now the position of the Canadian government that her strongest and closest ally in the Middle East should no longer be permitted to her own self defense nor her own self determination?

Under previous governments, such as Conservative Prime Minister Steven Harper, Canada was a stalwart defender of the Jewish state.

Whilst delivering a speech at the Knesset, Prime Minister Harper proudly stated that “it is right to support Israel because, after generations of persecution, the Jewish people deserve their own homeland and deserve to live safely and peacefully in that homeland.”

“Let me repeat that: Canada supports Israel because it is right to do so.”

Despite the change in governments, from the Conservative Harper government to the Liberal Trudeau, and now Carney, government, Israel is still classified as an ally of Canada. And yet, Canada, under two Liberal governments, have proven to be strongly opposed to Israel’s actions in such a way that has not been applied to other allied nations.

Canada Condemns Israel At UN Human Rights Council

• 2024 UN General Assembly Resolution on ICJ Advisory Opinion (related to UN Human Rights Council context):

In November 2024, Canada voted “YES” on a UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Israel’s presence in the West Bank and affirmed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on Israel’s policies in the “Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

Whilst this was a General Assembly vote, it was closely tied to the UN Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) ongoing scrutiny of Israel. This marked a shift away from Canada’s previous voting pattern, as it had voted against similar resolutions since 2011. The resolution passed with 152 votes in favor, 9 against, and Canada’s support was noted as a departure from its historically pro-Israel stance.

• Support for Resolutions Critical of Israel’s Actions in the “Occupied Territories” (Historical Context):

Canada’s official policy, as stated on its government website, opposes Israel’s construction of barriers and settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, viewing them as contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention.

This stance has led Canada to support or abstain on resolutions that address these issues, such as those calling for Israel to cease “settlement” activities or respect “Palestinian rights.” Whilst not a direct UNHRC vote, this policy reflects Canada’s willingness to back measures that implicitly criticize Israel’s actions, which aligns with the UNHRC’s frequent resolutions on the same topic.

The 2024 General Assembly vote is the clearest recent example of a shift toward supporting a resolution critical of Israel, though it is not strictly a UNHRC action, it does appear as though there is a concerning, whole of government approach forming in which breaks from the Canada’s historical support of Israel.

Why We Canada’s Shift Away from Supporting Israel Is Important

Canada’s gradual shift away from its historically strong support for Israel doesn’t solely risk undermining its commitment to a key democratic ally in the Middle East, but could also embolden pre-existing anti-Israel narratives and movements.

Israel, as a stable democracy facing existential threats, relies on allies like Canada to counter biased international resolutions that disproportionately target it whilst ignoring abuses by authoritarian regimes.

Additionally, this shift may also strain Canada’s influence in global diplomacy, as distancing itself from Israel could alienate other allies, like the United States.

Christian Perspective

Don’t be surprised when you start seeing more and more nations begin turning their backs on Israel because God’s Word warns us that many will do so in the end times. This is no excuse for the believer to reject the Jewish people, however.

The support of Christians for the Jewish people is deeply rooted in biblical theology and the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, establishes the Jewish people as God’s chosen nation, with whom He made an everlasting covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18).

It is this covenant that underscores Israel’s unique role in God’s redemptive plan, which we know extends to the coming of Jesus as the Messiah, a Jew whose life and teachings fulfill Jewish prophecy. As Christians, we support the Jewish people because we acknowledge God’s divine promise.

By standing with Israel, we affirm the biblical prophecy of Israel’s restoration (Isaiah 11:11-12) and the importance of the land of Israel as a spiritual and historical anchor.

The nation of Israel has every right to exist and it is our duty to counter antisemitic narratives whilst engaging in dialogue that promotes peace. For the believer, this stance isn’t just a spiritual imperative but a call to uphold justice in a world where the Jewish people continue to face disproportionate hostility.

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