Some fear arrest at Canadian airports or being named in legal cases for alleged ‘war crimes’.
By Hezy Laing
Several Canadian citizens serving in the IDF have recently expressed fear and uncertainty about returning to Canada.
This follows a war crimes investigation launched by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), alongside the public outing of IDF soldiers by local media outlets.
While the RCMP insists the probe is not targeting any specific group, many dual Israeli-Canadian soldiers feel exposed and vulnerable.
In June 2025, the RCMP confirmed it was conducting a “structural investigation” into potential war crimes related to the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Although no charges have been filed, the RCMP stated that if credible evidence emerges, it could lead to criminal proceedings.
Some soldiers fear arrest at Canadian airports or being named in legal cases—despite serving in what they consider a defensive war.
Meanwhile, a website called FindIDFSoldiers.net is publicly listing the names of Canadians who served in the IDF, sparking alarm among reservists.
The site is run by Canadian journalist Davide Mastracci, who has accused Israel of orchestrating a “planned genocide in Gaza.”
He claims the site isn’t doxxing or placing Canadian Lone Soldiers in harm’s way—but that appears to be its effect.
Currently, 163 individuals are listed on the site by name, along with personal information that most would consider private.
These events have triggered anxiety within Canada’s Jewish community, especially amid rising antisemitism and growing diplomatic tension between Ottawa and Jerusalem.
Jewish advocacy organizations, including CIJA, have been in contact with the RCMP, which clarified that no criminal investigation is currently underway and that the probe initially focused on Hamas’s alleged crimes.
Still, the lack of transparency and the public exposure of soldiers’ identities have left many feeling unsafe.
In May, Canada joined the United Kingdom and France in threatening “concrete actions” should Israel refuse to halt its war in Gaza.
Canada has also enacted a pause on arms sales to Israel, and voted against Israel in several recent United Nations resolutions.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry says at least 12 legal complaints targeting IDF soldiers over alleged war crimes in Gaza have been filed in countries across the globe.
