Jewish Montrealer Challenges Passport Officials on Israel Birthplace Naming
In Canada, the issue of naming Israel as a birthplace on passports has come into the spotlight following an incident involving a Jewish Montreal woman. Anastasia Zorchinsky, who was born in Kfar Saba, Israel, faced a perplexing challenge when applying for her passport.
Passport Application Controversy
During her application process, Zorchinsky was informed by a passport office employee that she could not specify Israel as her country of birth. The employee cited concerns over the “political conflict” and suggested that she could identify herself as being born in Palestine instead. Zorchinsky learned that Kfar Saba was among several cities affected by this unexplained policy shift.
Claims of Discrimination
After questioning the official, Zorchinsky requested to see the policy supporting this assertion. In response, the employee returned with colleagues, who explained that the change occurred due to Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state. However, Zorchinsky noted that no official documentation was provided to substantiate their claims.
“It was clear something was off,” she remarked, as she was ultimately informed that she could indeed list Israel as her birthplace. “If I had just submitted my application, who knows what would have happened?” she asserted, expressing concern about potential discrimination against Jewish Canadians.
Legal and Professional Reactions
Neil Oberman, Zorchinsky’s lawyer, expressed that many individuals might hesitate to challenge such decisions, highlighting the need for support when dealing with government agencies. He emphasized, “Jewish Canadians shouldn’t have to deal with this,” stressing that politics should not interfere with administrative processes.
Official Response
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s communications advisor, Jeffrey MacDonald, countered claims made by Zorchinsky. He stated that no changes had been made regarding passport issuance for individuals born in Israel. MacDonald affirmed that Kfar Saba can be recognized in Canadian travel documents with Israel as the birthplace.
Demands for Policy Clarity
Oberman has taken further steps by writing a letter to the passport office and Lena Diab, the federal minister for IRCC, detailing Zorchinsky’s experience. He requested policy documents that underpin the passport officials’ comments and raised concerns about the apparent lack of proper training among staff regarding these policies.
In the letter, Oberman demanded clarification to ensure political considerations do not influence passport identity details. He anticipated a response by November 18, warning that failure to address this matter could lead to complaints being filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission and other agencies.
Advocacy and Community Support
On social media, the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs noted that they had approached the federal government regarding Zorchinsky’s ordeal. They labeled the situation as “unacceptable” and called for broader accountability in ensuring that all Canadians have equitable access to government services.
Zorchinsky concluded her remarks by reiterating the importance of standing up against potential injustices. “You have to stand up, speak up,” she stated, underscoring her desire to prevent others from undergoing similar challenges regardless of their birthplace.
