Photo: Israeli forces detain Fawzi al-Juneidi following clashes after protests in the West Bank city Hebron, 07 December 2017.

Updated: November 22, 2019

With the current Israeli military recruiting round completed, and a week of Israeli military (reserves) being hosted at York U. the letter has been updated. Keep the letters going!

November 6, 2019

The Israeli consulate in Toronto has indicated that military recruiting will be conducted November 11 to 14, 2019. Also, Israeli military reservist personnel are on university campuses including York University from November 18 to 23 according to Herut Canada

The Israeli consulate in Toronto had posted last week that:

An IDF representative will conduct personal interviews at the Consulate on November 11-14. Young people who wish to enlist in the IDF or anyone who has not fulfilled their obligations according to the Israeli Defense Service Law are invited to meet with him.  

This would seem to be in violation of Canadian law. The Foreign Enlistment Act R.S.C., 1985, c. F-28 indicates in regard to recruiting that:

11 (1) Any person who, within Canada, recruits or otherwise induces any person or body of persons to enlist or to accept any commission or engagement in the armed forces of any foreign state or other armed forces operating in that state is guilty of an offence.  

The exception is if a person is a national of another country but NOT a Canadian national. Specifically

11 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the action of foreign consular or diplomatic officers or agents in enlisting persons who are nationals of the countries they represent and not Canadian nationals, in conformity with the regulations of the Governor in Council.

The Act also indicates that it is an:

1.       Offence to enlist with a foreign state at war with a friendly state

2.       Offence to leave or intend to leave Canada to enlist

3.       Offence to induce a person to enlist and leave Canada by misrepresentations

Write a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and the federal opposition leaders letting them know that you are concerned about the violation of domestic and international law occurring in Canada and asking them to ensure it stops.