Canada removes “Israel” from place of birth field for some occupied cities

OTTAWA, Nov. 16 (YPA) – A citizen born in Israel said that a passport officer told her that the new Canadian policy requires writing “Palestine” under the names of some Israeli cities instead of the birth name that was previously specified, following Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine, according to a video she posted.

The woman, named Anastasia, wrote on Twitter: “A Canadian passport officer told me they can’t write ‘Israel’ as my country of birth. This is the clear consequence of the current government and ruling leadership.”

Anastasia said that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government allowed residents of certain cities in Israel to write their Palestinian identity.

Among the cities she mentioned in the video were Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, and Jerusalem, while a document later published by Anastasia’s lawyer stated that she was born in Kfar Saba, which is considered part of Israel.

The letter, signed by lawyer Neil Opperman, stated: “This is a serious legal, administrative, and human rights concern.”

Canada recognized the State of Palestine last September during the UN General Assembly, along with the United Kingdom and Australia.