Hunted at Home: Canada Launches War Crimes Probe into IDF Veterans

The Canadian federal police (RCMP) have initiated a criminal investigation into Jewish-Canadian citizens who served in the IDF, suspecting them of committing crimes against humanity during the Gaza war, according to a report by Toronto Star published this morning (Tuesday). The probe, which began in 2024 but was only recently exposed, is a significant escalation in Canada’s stance toward Israel, sparking outrage and fear within the Canadian Jewish and Israeli communities.

Details of the Investigation

The investigation targets Canadian citizens, both regular and reserve soldiers, who served in the IDF during the ongoing Gaza conflict, which intensified following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. Described as a “structural investigation,” the probe falls under Canada’s CAHWCP program, a national initiative to address crimes against humanity and war crimes, involving the RCMP, Justice Department, Canada Border Services Agency, and Immigration and Citizenship Authority. It may involve evidence collection, international cooperation, and potential trials within Canada.

Unlike Canada’s high-profile investigation into war crimes in Ukraine, which included public outreach, this probe has been conducted discreetly, focusing on “crimes related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.” While the phrasing suggests Palestinians in Canada might also be investigated, the Toronto Star report notes that public sentiment in Canada often frames Israel as the primary perpetrator of war crimes in Gaza.

Community Reaction and Escalating Tensions

The investigation has caused alarm among Canada’s Jewish and Israeli communities, particularly as it is the first government-led probe of its kind, rather than a private initiative. Many Canadian citizens serve as lone soldiers in the IDF, and numerous Israelis living in Canada returned to serve during the war.

Community members fear a wave of arrests or summonses. “This is seconds before they file arrests against ‘war criminals,’” one Israeli wrote in a WhatsApp group, adding that lawyers are already involved. Another commented, “Canada is becoming more and more hostile to us every day,” reflecting concerns about rising antisemitism.

Two weeks prior, Canada, alongside the UK and France, threatened sanctions against Israel, condemning its “unacceptable escalation” in Gaza and demanding an immediate halt to military operations and restrictions on humanitarian aid. This investigation further strains Canada-Israel relations, with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government facing criticism for its approach.