Israeli military says more than 1,500 Canadians were serving in its ranks last year

The Israeli military reported that over 1,500 people with Canadian citizenship were serving as of March 2025, and the RCMP has an ongoing structural investigation into possible war crimes but has not launched the public reporting portal it had discussed.

The Israeli military released figures showing that more than 1,500 people with Canadian citizenship were serving in its ranks as of March 2025, according to documents obtained by an Israeli advocacy group. That disclosure followed a parliamentary library report that counted a smaller number of Canadians without Israeli citizenship serving as "lone soldiers". The numbers came as Canadian authorities, including the RCMP, were reported to be collecting information related to possible war crimes arising from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Debate in Ottawa about legal risks and potential responses has continued without a settled public process. Key details: - The Israeli military document showed 1,185 people listed as holding both Canadian and Israeli citizenship as of March 2025, and 339 listed with at least three nationalities including Canadian and Israeli. - A Knesset parliamentary library report said 56 Canadians without Israeli citizenship were serving as lone soldiers as of August 2024. - The RCMP says it opened a "structural investigation" in early 2024 to gather information related to possible war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the conflict. - The RCMP has not yet launched the public online portal it had discussed for receiving reports, and parliamentary debate on a related Senate motion has been repeatedly adjourned. Summary: The reported personnel numbers have prompted questions about how Canada will address potential legal and policy implications related to individual service and alleged violations. These remain undetermined.