Haaretz reported that Canada canceled the visa of Arie King, Israel’s deputy mayor of Jerusalem. The decision was linked to King’s activities supporting the takeover of Palestinian-owned homes in East Jerusalem and his campaign against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
King was scheduled to attend an event in Canada to raise donations for settlement initiatives.

King linked the decision to an Arab campaign
King said the visa decision resulted from a campaign against him led by Arabs. He said the decision was related to his anti-UNRWA activities and his support for Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem.
King, who has called for years for the takeover of Palestinian-owned homes in East Jerusalem, also advocates vacating the UNRWA center in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and establishing a settlement in its place.
King’s UNRWA post
King welcomed Israel’s takeover of the UNRWA education center in Qalandia, north of Jerusalem. In a post on X, he wrote: “UNRWA’s departure, mission accomplished.”
Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of the state they aim to establish in the future. Israel considers both parts of the city its capital, while the international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem.
The Canadian government did not immediately comment on the cancellation of King’s visa.