Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a Hanukkah menorah lighting in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dec. 14, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Patrick Doyle

Israel has withdrawn its defense attaché from its embassy in Canada, leaving the post unfilled — a move seen as a further sign of strained bilateral ties amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

In a statement released Sunday, Israel’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the country’s defense attaché to Ottawa, Col. Ilan Or, is set to end his posting at the end of July, with his responsibilities transferred to a “cross-accredited” attaché based at Israel’s US embassy.

Israeli officials stressed the decision does not signal any downgrading of the country’s military diplomatic presence in Canada, describing it instead as part of a broader global realignment of Israel’s overseas defense network.

Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, said the decision reflects a redistribution of resources to other postings, as the country seeks to “expand collaboration with high-interest partners.” While acknowledging that a defense attaché remains necessary, Moed added that “in light of current priorities, the resources allocated for Canada will be directed elsewhere.”

A defense attaché is an accredited military officer serving within a diplomatic mission who functions as the highest-ranking representative of a country’s armed forces abroad, providing technical advice to the ambassador on defense and military matters.

Experts warn the move is highly significant given the central role of military diplomacy, defense cooperation, and arms exports, noting that Israel has not been without a defense attaché in Ottawa for over a decade — a sign, they say, of already fragile bilateral relations.

Bilateral ties between the two countries have grown increasingly tense in recent years. Shortly after the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the Canadian government halted military exports in response to criticism of Israel’s conduct in its war against the Palestinian terror group Hamas. According to a Global Affairs Canada report from last year, Canada nonetheless exported $14.7 million worth of military goods to Israel despite the restrictions.

Canada also moved last year to recognize a Palestinian state, with Prime Minister Mark Carney saying the decision was intended to preserve what he described as the dwindling prospect of a two-state solution.

The withdrawal comes despite a 2014 Strategic Partnership agreement signed by Jerusalem and Ottawa that committed both countries to “maintain military attaché offices in their respective countries which are appropriate and reflect increased defense relations.”