Ayman Odeh
Ayman OdehMiriam Alster/Flash 90

A delegation of Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) visited Bethlehem during a planned visit to the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The trip was funded by the Association for Parliamentary Friendship of Canada and Palestine (APFCP).

Eighteen Canadian MPs met with Governor Jabbarin al-Bakhari, PA representative in Canada Nabil Maarouf, PA officials Mohammed Lehaam and Fayiz al-Saka, Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salmaan, and Canada's representative to the PA.

Maarouf told the PA's Wafa news agency that the APFCP was founded in order to try to influence the Canadian government to change its policies towards "Palestine," and its goal is to create new conditions which will allow political and diplomatic relations between the PA and Canada.

He also said that the delegation's visit was intended to show them the "Palestinian" narrative, as well as what happens on the ground.

The delegation will meet with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, PA leader Rami Hamdallah, and the Palestine Liberation Organization's Negotiations Committee, as well as the PA's policy-making council. They will visit Hevron, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jalazone, and the PA's Birzeit University, as well as various projects funded by the Canadian government.

The delegation will also meet Joint Arab List MKs, including MK Ayman Odeh. In addition, they will meet representatives of the B'tselem and Breaking the Silence organizations, as well as Israeli "peace activists."