Israel is withdrawing its defence attaché from its embassy in Canada, with Colonel Ilan Or set to return to Israel by the end of July and no immediate replacement planned, according to statements from the Israeli embassy and Ministry of Defence. The military responsibilities previously managed by the attaché based in Ottawa will now be handled by a “cross-accredited” defence official operating out of Israel’s embassy in the United States.
The move marks a significant shift in Israel-Canada military relations, with experts suggesting it signals a deterioration in bilateral ties. Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, noted that the last time Israel did not have a defence attaché posted in Ottawa was in 2012, underscoring the unusual nature of this decision.
A defence attaché is a military officer serving as both a representative of their country’s armed forces and as a technical adviser on defence matters to the ambassador. Philippe Lagassé, an associate professor at Carleton University who specializes in defence policy, stated that such officers play a key role in military diplomacy, reflecting the health and priority of military-to-military relations. “When you withdraw a defence attaché, the signal that you’re sending is one of many that you can use to demonstrate the relationship is deteriorating,” Lagassé said.
Canada and Israel formalized a Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership in 2014, which included commitments to maintain defence attaché offices in each country, emphasizing increasing defence ties. However, in explaining the withdrawal, Ambassador Moed said Israel is reallocating defence resources to focus on “high-interest partners,” indicating a shift in priorities rather than a complete disengagement. The Israeli Ministry of Defence described the adjustment as part of a broader global realignment of defence attaché postings and emphasized that cross-accreditation—where one attaché covers multiple countries—is a common practice, especially between the U.S. and Canada.
Relations between Canada and Israel have been strained in recent years, primarily due to differing responses to the conflict in Gaza. Since January 2024, Canada has halted new military export permits to Israel amidst criticism of Israeli actions during its war with Hamas. The Canadian government also suspended export permits for components that could potentially be used in Gaza. Despite these restrictions, some military exports to Israel continued, amounting to $14.7 million in 2025, according to Global Affairs.
The deterioration in relations is partly linked to the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict that intensified following Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages. Israel’s military response has led to widespread destruction and displacement in Gaza, with Palestinian health authorities reporting more than 72,000 Palestinian deaths. A United Nations inquiry labeled Israel’s actions as genocidal, a charge Israel disputes.
Canada’s current government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, has taken a noticeably different stance from previous administrations by recognizing a Palestinian state, a move aimed at supporting the possibility of a two-state solution. Carney has criticized Israeli policies contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including restrictions on essential aid deliveries.
Ambassador Moed expressed concern that the absence of a resident defence attaché could hinder defense industry collaboration between Israel and Canada. Given Canada’s efforts to expand its defence sector as a driver of economic growth, he suggested that Israeli defence firms still have the potential to be significant partners, though not necessarily under the new diplomatic arrangement.