Israeli Comedian Guy Hochman Detained Briefly in Canada After Legal Complaint Alleging War Crimes and Incitement

An Israeli comedian and former combat soldier, Guy Hochman, was detained and questioned for six hours upon arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport after a pro‑Palestinian legal group filed a complaint accusing him of war crimes and "incitement to genocide," the group and news reports said.

What Happened

Hochman was held on arrival and released only after the Israeli consulate intervened, according to the Times of Israel. He subsequently performed the scheduled show in Toronto. The detention followed a 40‑page dossier submitted to Canadian authorities by the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgium‑based organisation that seeks accountability for alleged Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Two Canadian groups—the Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights and the Legal Centre for Palestine—also backed the complaint.

Allegations in the Dossier

The Hind Rajab Foundation's dossier cites photos and videos posted by Hochman on social media and alleges his involvement in the September 2024 destruction of the Raed al‑Attar Mosque in Rafah, which the group says was a protected religious site under international law. The dossier also accuses him of repeated public calls for mass violence against Palestinians, including advocating nuclear strikes, celebrating civilian deaths and calling for starvation and displacement of civilians.

"Not a single mosque will remain in Gaza," the dossier quotes Hochman as saying, and accuses him of "clear, repeated, and public incitement to genocide."

Legal Filings and Reactions

After the Canadian complaint, the Hind Rajab Foundation said it filed a similar complaint with U.S. authorities asking them to investigate whether Hochman's conduct could violate U.S. federal statutes, including the War Crimes Act and the genocide statute. The foundation urged authorities to consider the performance in New York as a potential risk of "further criminal conduct."

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) declined to comment on the specifics of the case, citing privacy laws, but noted that foreign nationals may be placed in "secondary inspection" and that such checks can take longer when authorities gather information through questioning. The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Israeli military has not addressed the specific allegations and told reporters "this is not an IDF matter."

Hochman's Response and Context

Hochman confirmed the detention in a social media post: "They tried to stop me from entering Canada, but after 6 hours of delay, I got in. They tried to prevent me from performing in front of the Israeli community, I performed. And while they kept shouting ‘free Palestine’ to themselves in minus 10 degrees, we warmed up with laughter—400 Israelis inside. That’s what victory feels like." He did not provide further comment to reporters.

The Hind Rajab Foundation said Hochman, a former combat soldier, began producing videos with soldiers after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and was later recruited as an "entertainer" linked to the IDF spokesperson unit, according to the group's dossier.

Why It Matters

The case highlights growing international attention to social‑media posts and on‑the‑ground footage from conflict zones, and the increasing use of legal complaints across borders to allege violations of international humanitarian law. Authorities in Canada and the U.S. face competing obligations to protect free expression while investigating credible allegations of serious international crimes.