Pressure Mounts on Ottawa to Deny Entry to Jibril Rajoub

Canadian Jewish advocacy group Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is calling on the federal government to block Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub from entering the country, as questions emerge over his potential attendance at FIFA-related meetings in Canada.

In a letter sent to Immigration Minister Marc Miller and made public this week, CIJA urged Ottawa to deem Rajoub inadmissible under Canadian law, arguing that his background and past statements should disqualify him from entering the country. The appeal comes amid reports that Rajoub was expected to attend events connected to the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, tied to preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Rajoub is a senior figure in Palestinian politics and sport. He serves as head of the Palestinian Football Association and holds a leadership role within Fatah, the dominant faction of the Palestinian Authority. Before entering sports administration, he was involved in Palestinian security services and has long operated at the intersection of politics, diplomacy and international sport.

That background is precisely what has made his potential visit controversial. CIJA’s letter points to Rajoub’s history and public rhetoric, which the organization says includes statements that glorify violence and target Israelis, arguing that this places him within the scope of individuals who should be barred under Canada’s inadmissibility provisions.

The group is not responding to a confirmed entry, but to the possibility of one. The letter is framed as a preventative measure, urging the government to act before any visa decision allows Rajoub into the country.

Ottawa has not commented directly on Rajoub. Immigration officials maintain that all visa applications are assessed individually and that reasons for approval or refusal are not made public.

Separate reporting around the Vancouver meetings has suggested that Rajoub’s visa application may have already been denied, though the federal government has not confirmed that outcome.

The situation has created a gap between advocacy and verified fact. While CIJA is pressing for a clear refusal, there remains no public confirmation that Rajoub has been admitted into Canada.

With Canada preparing to host major international events tied to the 2026 World Cup, the case underscores the broader challenge facing the government: balancing open access for global sporting bodies with domestic pressure over who should and should not be allowed across its borders.