A Canadian-Israeli entrepreneur has tragically lost his life in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria, in what appears to be a potentially antisemitic attack.
Identified as Ziv Kipper in media reports, he served as the CEO of a company specializing in the export of frozen fruits and vegetables, and was a permanent resident of Egypt, as per Al Arabiya, the Saudi state-owned news channel.
Egypt’s Ministry of the Interior, as reported by Al Arabiya, stated that Mr. Kipper was engaged in business activities within Egypt. The Israeli embassy in Cairo is collaborating with Egyptian authorities in investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
A group calling themselves the Vanguards of Liberation — Martyr Mohammed Salah Groups, whose name alludes to an Egyptian officer who killed three Israel Defense Forces soldiers in June 2023, has claimed responsibility for the attack. In an unverified statement circulated online, they alleged that Kipper was a Mossad operative using his business as a front for intelligence operations.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, while not disclosing the victim’s identity, confirmed to the BBC that he held dual Canadian-Israeli citizenship and was engaged in business ventures. Global Affairs Canada, in a statement to the National Post, acknowledged the death of a Canadian citizen in Egypt, refraining from divulging further details due to privacy regulations.
Expressing condolences, spokesperson James Emmanuel Wanki assured that consular officials are liaising with local authorities to offer support to the family.
Oksana Kipper, the victim’s wife, expressed her belief to Israel’s KAN network that her husband was targeted for nationalist reasons. She noted that he wasn’t subjected to robbery and confirmed plans to repatriate his remains to Israel for burial. While acknowledging concerns for her safety, she emphasized her intention to leave Egypt.
The circumstances surrounding Kipper’s death remain unclear. Egypt’s interior ministry described it as a “criminal shooting in Alexandria,” which the Egyptian i24News reported. Although Egyptian security authorities denied knowledge of the Vanguards of Liberation group’s involvement.
Kipper, identified as the CEO of O.K. Group, was reported by The Times of Israel has been educated at Toronto’s Seneca College.
According to news outlets, a suspect in his killing has been apprehended but remains unnamed.
The killing comes amongst a major escalation between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militant movement in Rafah and will pose further serious questions for Canadian Federal government following popular support of the Palestinian cause in Canada.