Sat Nov 15 21:28:24 UTC 2025: Former UN Rapporteur Detained in Canada, Claims it’s an Attempt to Silence Criticism of Israel
Ottawa, Canada – Richard Falk, a former United Nations special rapporteur known for his investigations into Israeli abuses against Palestinians, says he and his wife were detained and questioned by Canadian authorities upon arrival in Toronto this week. Falk believes the questioning, framed around “national security” concerns, is part of a broader effort to suppress the truth about Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Falk, a US citizen, was traveling to Ottawa to attend the Palestine Tribunal on Canadian Responsibility, an event examining the Canadian government’s role in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. He and his wife, Hilal Elver, were detained for over four hours at Toronto Pearson International Airport and questioned about their work on Israel, Gaza, and genocide.
“A security person came and said, ‘We’ve detained you both because we’re concerned that you pose a national security threat to Canada,'” Falk said. While he described the questioning as disorganized, he sees it as part of a global attempt to silence those who criticize Israel’s actions.
Canadian Senator Yuen Pau Woo, a supporter of the Palestine Tribunal, expressed his shock at the detention, questioning why seeking justice for Palestine would be considered a national security threat.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) stated it couldn’t comment on specific cases but affirmed its role in assessing security risks and admissibility of individuals entering Canada, adding that secondary inspections are a normal part of the process.
The incident occurs amidst growing pressure on Canada to reassess its support for Israel, especially following the devastating impact of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. While Canada has suspended weapons permits to Israel, critics argue loopholes allow Canadian-made weapons to continue reaching Israel through the United States.
Human rights advocates continue to urge the Canadian government to hold Israel accountable for abuses against Palestinians, particularly as the situation in Gaza remains dire, with limited access to essential resources and ongoing Israeli attacks.
Falk emphasized the importance of exposing the realities of the situation in Gaza, stating, “There’s this whole false sense that the genocide is over,” despite the ongoing crisis and the continued impact of Israeli actions.
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