Rescue personnel work at an impact site in Rishon LeZion, Israel, following missile attack from Iran on Saturday.Ammar Awad/Reuters
Ottawa said it erred when it issued a public statement Friday advising all Canadians in the Middle East to leave if possible as a conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.
Instead, the Department of Global Affairs told Canadians to consult its travel advisories for individual countries in the region.
Its Saturday statement advised Canadians to keep abreast of its official travel advisories for specific countries and other areas in the region, which currently warn Canadians to “avoid all travel” to Israel, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, as well as Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
In a media notice preceded by the word “Erratum” – a Latin word for error – Global Affairs revised its update for media to remove a statement advising Canadians in the Middle East to head home.
Global Affairs’ erroneous Friday update had advised “Canadians in the Middle East to ensure that their travel documents are valid and to leave via commercial options if safe.”
Canada’s travel advisories also warn Canadians to “avoid all non-essential travel” to Lebanon and Jordan. Further, it advises Canadians to “avoid all travel” to some areas in these two countries.
The department did not explain in its correction notice how or why it made the error in advising all Canadians to leave the Middle East.
Israel attacked Iran Friday in a strike that targeted nuclear facilities and Tehran’s military commanders. Iran later struck back, firing missiles at Israel.
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Global Affairs said its registry of Canadians abroad counts 76,785 citizens in the Middle East, including 1,654 in Iran and 5,719 in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This is not a full accounting of all Canadians because it’s a voluntary self-registration service.
“The government of Canada is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving tensions between Israel and Iran and urges all parties to prioritize de-escalation and the protection of civilians. Further action risks triggering a broader regional conflict with devastating consequences,” the department said in its latest statement.
“We remain deeply concerned by the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and call on all actors to refrain from any actions that further destabilize the region.”
Ottawa said as of Saturday that it had not received any reports of Canadians injured or killed in the escalating tensions.
The government urged Canadians in the Middle East to add their name to its Registration of Canadians Abroad Service.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada was taking measures to protect its diplomats in the region, and Global Affairs said as of Friday that “all of our personnel are accounted for.”
Global Affairs said Canadians abroad in need of emergency consular assistance can contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre by: telephone at +1 613 996 8885 (collect calls accepted where available); e-mail: me-mo.sos@international.gc.ca; SMS (+1 613 686 3658) and WhatsApp at +1 613 909 8881.