Montreal Woman Challenges Passport Office Over Birthplace Restrictions

An incident involving a Jewish woman from Montreal has sparked significant attention regarding passport issuance policies in Canada. Anastasia Zorchinsky claims that a Canadian passport office employee informed her that she could not list Israel as her country of birth due to it being classified as “a conflict zone.” Zorchinsky, who was born in Kfar Saba, Israel, made her experience public in a video posted on November 13, 2025, expressing her disbelief at the official’s assertion.

In the video, Zorchinsky recounts the interaction, stating that the official suggested she could instead indicate her birthplace as Palestine. This policy, according to Zorchinsky, allegedly affected several other cities, including Jerusalem. She described her encounter with the passport office as a reflection of the current political climate impacting government operations.

Zorchinsky expressed skepticism about the explanation she received, prompting her to request documentation supporting the official’s claims. When the employee returned with colleagues, she was told that the change was implemented because Canada has recognized a state of Palestine. However, Zorchinsky reported that no official policy document was provided to substantiate these statements, leaving her feeling that something was amiss.

Ultimately, the passport officials revised their stance, allowing her to designate Israel as her birthplace. Zorchinsky articulated concern about the potential consequences had she submitted her application without contesting the initial directive. “It’s clear discrimination,” she stated, questioning why individuals should face such indignities when seeking identification documents.

Neil Oberman, Zorchinsky’s lawyer, supported her claims, emphasizing that many individuals might hesitate to challenge such policies. He stated, “Jewish Canadians shouldn’t have to deal with this. Issues of politics shouldn’t bleed into dealing with a government agency when it comes to a document for identification.”

In contrast, Jeffrey MacDonald, a communications advisor for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, asserted in an email to the National Post that “no changes have been made regarding the issuing of passports for individuals born in Israel.” He confirmed that Kfar Saba can indeed be printed on Canadian travel documents as the city of birth.

Oberman has since reached out to the passport office, Service Canada, and Lena Diab, the federal minister responsible for IRCC. In a letter dated November 12, which he shared on social media, he detailed Zorchinsky’s experience and demanded access to the policy documents that informed the passport officials’ comments. He stressed that no law or regulation supports the assertion that the political conflict affects passport designations.

The letter also highlighted the apparent lack of training among passport office staff, stating that they “did not understand the governing policy and were unable to articulate or apply a legally grounded standard.” Oberman requested training materials related to country-of-birth designations and assurance that political considerations do not influence passport details. He set a deadline for a response by November 18, warning of the possibility of a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission or further legal action if necessary.

Zorchinsky emphasized the importance of standing up for one’s rights, stating, “If there is some sort of injustice, you have to stand up, speak up.” She expressed a desire to prevent others from experiencing similar challenges, regardless of their birthplace.

This situation raises broader questions about the intersection of politics and administrative processes in government agencies, particularly concerning the issuance of official documents. As the dialogue continues, the implications of such policies for citizens remain a pressing issue in Canada.