Canada has announced the suspension of all arms shipments to Israel, a decision that has sparked controversy amidst ongoing international scrutiny over the war in the Gaza Strip. The move comes as the besieged Palestinian territory grapples with a worsening humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of Gazans on the brink of famine after months of conflict.
A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP, cited the dire situation on the ground as the reason for halting military exports to Israel. This decision follows Canada's previous reduction of arms shipments to non-lethal equipment, such as radios, following a Hamas attack on October 7.
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed to the Toronto Star that Ottawa would cease future arms exports to Israel. However, Israel has strongly condemned the move, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz saying “it undermines Israel's right to self-defence against Hamas terrorists”.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions internationally. US Senator Bernie Sanders welcomed Canada's action, citing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and calling for an end to military support for Israel. Israel has historically been a significant recipient of Canadian arms exports, with Radio Canada reporting CAN$ 21 million worth of military material exported in 2022.
The suspension of arms exports highlights Canada's shifting stance towards Israel, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau taking a more critical approach amid mounting civilian casualties in Gaza.
In a separate development, the Canadian Parliament passed a nonbinding resolution advocating for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
The issue of arms deliveries to Israel has sparked legal challenges in various countries, including Canada, where a coalition of lawyers and Palestinian citizens filed a complaint in March alleging violations of international and domestic law.