Controversy surrounds Edmonton Police Chief Driechel’s trip to Israel

By AJNews Staff

This is a developing story.

Controversy has mounted over Edmonton Police Chief Warren Driechel’s attendance at a Major Cities Police Chiefs conference held in Israel in February 2026, as first reported by Lauren Boothby of CityNews Edmonton. Driechel’s trip was approved by the Edmonton Police Commission, and it was paid for by the Major Cities Chiefs Association – not Edmonton taxpayers, or the Jewish Community. But many people – including Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack and others – are publicly criticizing him for poor judgement in attending and the commission for approving it. The criticism has been loud and vocal and has reached an incendiary tone – alleging Islamophobia and Zionist partisanship. The criticism has prompted a wave of equally loud and vocal support for the Chief, accusing the naysayers of antisemitism and extremism. The Chief issued a nuanced statement explaining his position. Here is a sample of statements on all sides:

Mayor Andrew Knack:

“I am deeply disappointed and frustrated by the decision of the Edmonton Police Chief to travel to Israel and the Edmonton Police Commission Chair’s approval of this trip.

For many Edmontonians, the violence in the West Bank and Gaza is not distant. Families in our community are grieving and are worried about loved ones who are living among unimaginable hardships. Decisions like these cause real hurt, damage relationships with communities that already feel marginalized, and break trust.

“At a time of rising Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, anti-semitism, and hate towards marginalized communities, the choice to make this trip is harmful and further alienates members of our community.

“I am also concerned about comments that characterize our community members as extremists. Language like this is divisive and shuts down important conversation.

My expectation is that all leaders in the City of Edmonton be aware of the impact of their actions and decisions on the people we serve. At a time when unity is so important, this decision has caused pain for many Edmontonians.

I’ve asked the commission to review how the current policy on travel is decided, particularly given the active travel advisories and sanctions in place. In addition, I expect the Edmonton Police Chief and the Edmonton Police Commission to meaningfully connect with our community to repair where trust has been broken so that all Edmontonians feel safe.

Chief Warren Dreichel:

“In mid-February, I joined police chiefs from Canada and the United States on a visit to Israel where we met police and community leaders in several cities. I spent time with police officers from Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze faiths representing a wide range of cultural and ethnic back grounds. I also met with Muslim community leaders who shared openly about their concerns and their reasons for working with police. These officers and community leaders operate in an environment that demands extraordinary vigilance – managing crime, counter terrorism, supporting community and crisis response all amid extreme complexity.

“Police to police we were able to talk about the toll this work takes on the people who do it. We talked about building trust in communities where there is little trust. We were able to get a glimpse of the undertaking required to police in complex environments. I am grateful for what I was able to learn and share with those we visited and among my North American peers. These missions offer a great deal of insight and valuable perspective. I am grateful for the continued leadership and support of the Edmonton Police Commission who have supported me in this.

“As police we focus on behaviour, not beliefs. Where I have felt challenged this week is in the implication that any community group should have the right to direct where we can learn.

“I stand by my decision to take the trip to Israel and continue to view it as valuable among multiple learning experiences I will have in this role. I remain focused on my long standing and ongoing commitment to dialogue, learning and connection across communities and across boundaries.”

Jewish Federation of Edmonton CEO Stacey Leavitt-Wright

Jewish Federation of Edmonton CEO Stacey Leavitt-Wright issued a statement followed by an open letter to Mayor Knack, City Councillors and the Edmonton Police Commission. The letter is signed by Jewish Federation of Edmonton and a number of allied groups. She writes:

“We write to express support of Chief Warren Driechel in light of his participation in a trip to Israel organized by a chiefs of police association, and with concern for the public discourse that we have seen unfolding.

“The attempts to sow division among Edmontonians come at a time of increasing polarization and an unprecedented escalation of antisemitism and hate-motivated incidents. We call upon our leaders to speak out and state that antisemitism and antizionism is incompatible with the city that is inclusive for all its citizens.

“The disproportionate outrage directed at the Chief’s trip due to the destination being Israel reflects a double standard attempting to delegitimize Israel and it demonizes a Canadian ally.

“If the Chief (or if any public official, for that matter) had travelled to any other country, it is unlikely that the same level of criticism or controversy regarding the trip would have emerged. Framing professional engagement in this way risks normalizing anti-Israel sentiment and, more broadly, contributes to an environment where antisemitism is normalized.

“Community reporting and monitoring efforts across Alberta continue to show that antisemitic incidents remain one of the most frequently reported forms of hate motivated incidents. Discussions surrounding the Chief’s trip to Israel will contribute to division if they are not addressed thoughtfully.

“We wish to recognize the professionalism and integrity of the Chief, who, like many public leaders, engages internationally to learn, exchange ideas, and strengthen institutions. He has been unfairly targeted in an ideologically motivated campaign by those who are seeking to divide Edmontonians and seeking a boycott, divestment, and sanction campaign, which former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rightfully claimed was antisemitic in 2019.

“Efforts to call upon Chief Driechel to provide acceptable answers for his trip to Israel or else resign are unacceptable and quite frankly hold the Chief to a standard that would not be placed on anyone if the destination of their travels was anywhere other than Israel. Rhetoric aimed at the Chief lead to increased security risks to the Jewish community in Edmonton and elsewhere.

“Edmonton’s strength comes from its diverse communities working together and when public discourse becomes polarized around identity or international politics, it can create ripple effects locally that undermine trust and safety for communities here at home.

“We call on the Mayor, members of City Council and the Edmonton Police Commission to unequivocally stand with Chief Driechel at this time and stand against the mounting hate-campaign aimed at vilifying the Chief because he dared associate with Israelis.”