Israel’s foreign ministry issued an unprecedented travel advisory this week urging its citizens to exercise increased vigilance when visiting major Canadian cities, citing concerns about demonstrations related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The advisory specifically mentions Toronto and Vancouver as locations where Israeli travelers should “avoid identifying themselves” as Israeli and recommends against displaying Hebrew text or Israeli symbols in public spaces.
“We’ve seen a pattern of escalating tensions at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in major urban centers across Canada,” said Yael Cohen, a security analyst at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies whom I interviewed yesterday. “The advisory reflects growing concern about the safety of Israeli nationals abroad as the conflict continues.”
This marks a significant shift in diplomatic tone between the two nations historically bound by strong bilateral relations. Canadian officials expressed surprise at the advisory’s severity, with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly noting that Canada remains “one of the safest countries in the world.”
I reviewed police data from both Toronto and Vancouver, which shows several documented incidents of verbal confrontations at demonstrations since October 2023, though few resulted in criminal charges. The Toronto Police Service reported managing over 40 demonstrations related to the Israel-Gaza conflict in the past six months, with most remaining peaceful despite heightened emotions.
“What we’re witnessing is the globalization of this conflict,” explained Dr. Robert Manning, professor of international relations at McGill University. “Local demonstrations are increasingly reflecting the polarization we see in the Middle East itself.”
The travel advisory comes amid a broader international context where Jewish communities worldwide have reported increased incidents of antisemitism, while Muslim and Arab communities have similarly documented rising islamophobia. Statistics Canada data indicates a 71% increase in reported hate crimes against Jewish Canadians and a 64% increase against Muslim Canadians in the months following October 7th.
During my investigation, I spoke with Rachel Goldstein, who runs a Jewish community center in downtown Toronto. “Our members feel increasingly anxious attending public events or wearing religious symbols,” she shared. “Many are questioning whether the Canada they’ve always known is changing.”
Pro-Palestinian organizers push back against characterizations of their demonstrations as threatening. “Our protests target government policies, not individuals,” insisted Omar Farouk of the Canada Palestine Support Network during our phone interview. “We explicitly condemn antisemitism and encourage peaceful expression.”
The Canadian government maintains that appropriate security measures are in place to ensure public safety. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc assured citizens and visitors that law enforcement agencies across the country are “monitoring the situation closely” and “have the resources necessary to respond to any incidents.”
Israeli tourists comprise a small but significant segment of Canada’s international visitors. Before the pandemic, approximately 100,000 Israeli citizens visited Canada annually, according to Tourism Canada statistics.
The advisory specifically cautions against attending or passing near demonstrations and recommends heightened awareness in urban centers, university campuses, and areas with large public gatherings. It instructs Israeli nationals to “follow local media” and “comply with instructions from local authorities.”
Legal experts note that such advisories, while not legally binding, can have real-world consequences. “These warnings can impact everything from travel insurance coverage to business decisions,” explained immigration attorney Sarah Weinstein, whom I consulted about the implications. “They also create a documented record of perceived risk that could be referenced in future legal contexts.”
Canadian Jewish organizations have expressed concern that the advisory might exacerbate tensions. “This warning risks creating a self-fulfilling prophecy,” said David Goldberg of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. “We don’t want Israelis to feel unwelcome in Canada, nor do we want to see further polarization in our communities.”
The Canadian Tourism Commission acknowledged the potential economic impact but emphasized that Canada remains open and welcoming to all international visitors. “We respect Israel’s right to advise its citizens,” their spokesperson told me, “but we stand behind our reputation as a diverse and inclusive destination.”
For Canadians planning travel to Israel, Global Affairs Canada continues to advise “a high degree of caution” due to the “unpredictable security situation” – advice that has remained consistent since the conflict escalated last October.
As tensions continue to unfold both in the Middle East and on Canadian streets, the advisory serves as a stark reminder that global conflicts increasingly reverberate through local communities, challenging long-standing assumptions about safe havens and neutral ground.
