O Canada!
Israeli seeks asylum in Canada due to terror attacks
Refugee status application denied because woman is not 'persecuted for her political views'
The Canadian citizenship and immigration department has refused an application for refugee status filed by an Israeli citizen.
The woman explained that she had been nearby several suicide bombings in Israel and will be "murdered" by Palestinian terrorist organizations if she returns to Israel.
Israelis in Canada
Itamar Eichner
Some 13,000 Israelis emigrated to Canada in 2000, making it the highest destination for those leaving the country, but their situation is far from good: 14.5 percent live below the poverty line, and 60 percent earn less than the average wage; hundreds returning to Israel every year
The department defended its decision, explaining that the woman was not the victim of terrorism based on her ethnic identity, religion, nationality or political views, and the fact that she witnessed the bombings stems from the fact that she lives in a country where bombings are not uncommon.
The Federal Court also decided that if a country was not able to bring terrorism against its citizens to an end but was making a reasonable effort to do so, its citizens cannot request refugee status in Canada.
Over 3,000 Israelis have requested refugee status from the Canadian authorities since 2000. Refugees in Canada are awarded several benefits like a work permit, welfare payments, free education, state-sponsored health insurance, etc.
Between January and September 2006, 369 Israeli citizens requested refugee status in Canada, claiming that they were undergoing persecution in Israel.
Ninety-one of the applicants were granted refugee status.
