(Ottawa) Canadians who fled the Gaza Strip say Canada’s definition of family forced them to make the heartbreaking choice to leave loved ones behind.
Canadian citizen Amro Abumididain said he would have preferred to die with his father in Gaza rather than leave without him, but added that he had to get his children out of the territory when he had the chance.
He crossed the border last week, after living for a month under constant bombardment. However, he was unable to take his father with him because Canada’s definition of eligible family members only includes spouses, children and grandchildren.
Maha Abdelwahed, Mr. Abumididain’s cousin in Halifax, said that after learning that her parents would not be eligible for Canada’s Gaza evacuee list, she saw that other people she knew had been able to do so. take out members of their family even if they were not supposed to be there either.
Global Affairs Canada did not respond to repeated requests last week seeking clarification on which family members would be eligible under Canadian rules.
The Canadian Refugee Council is calling for a broader definition of family, so that people fleeing Gaza can find refuge with their loved ones in Canada.