Minister Yelich Statement on Assisted Departure of Canadians from Gaza

July 13, 2014 - The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular), today issued the following statement regarding the assisted departure of 47 Canadian citizens and accompanying family members from Gaza:

“Over the past 24 hours, government officials in Ottawa and at Canada’s diplomatic missions in the region alerted Canadians in Gaza who had expressed interest in leaving about the relevant details of an operation to assist Canadians wishing to depart.

“Today our consular officials, assisted by members of our Standing Rapid Deployment Team, successfully assisted 47 Canadian citizens and accompanying family members in safely travelling from Gaza to Jordan.

“As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Canadian consular officials in Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Amman worked to ensure that all necessary approvals for this operation were secured.

“The ability of Canadian officials to provide consular assistance is becoming increasingly limited.

“Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) has been advising against all travel to the Gaza Strip since May 31, 2005.

“On July 9, 2014, the government advised Canadians to leave Gaza.

“We continue to send regular updates to Canadians through DFATD’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service, as well as direct communications offering further assistance to those wishing to depart.

“We strongly recommend that Canadian citizens currently in Gaza register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive the latest advice from the Government of Canada.

“Canadians wishing to leave the Gaza Strip should contact DFATD’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre by phone, collect, at +1 613-996-8885 or by email at sos@international.gc.ca.

“Canadian citizens in Gaza requiring consular assistance should contact the Representative Office of Canada in Ramallah at 972 (2) 297-8430 or contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre by phone, collect, at +1 613-996-8885 or by email at sos@international.gc.ca.

“For the latest advice and more information from the Government of Canada, Canadians should consult the travel advice and advisory for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Twitter users may also follow @DFATDCanada and @CanEmbIsrael.”

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Saro Khatchadourian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)
613-944-2300
Saro.Khatchadourian@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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