“We Were Refused Entry” — EXCLUSIVE Interview with Penny Appeal CEO Fawad Kalsi
Canadian Members of Parliament were denied entry into the Occupied West Bank while attempting to cross the border earlier this week. On Tuesday, a delegation organized by the Canadian Muslim Vote, alongside Justice for All Canada and NCCM, was refused entry while seeking to travel into the West Bank. The delegation included six Canadian Members of Parliament, as well as civil society and community leaders. I spoke with Fawad Kalsi, CEO of Penny Appeal Canada, who was part of the delegation, about his experience at the border and the personal impact of being denied entry. He also addressed the broader significance of Canadian elected officials being blocked from entering the Occupied West Bank — especially given that a similar delegation faced no issues last year. The incident raises serious questions around access, transparency, freedom of movement, and accountability, particularly when elected lawmakers are prevented from witnessing conditions on the ground.
