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NEW DELHI: Canada has decided to stop all arms shipments to Israel, a government official told AFP on Tuesday. This move has sparked criticism from Israel amidst increasing international scrutiny of its actions in the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of famine due to months of conflict. Canada, a close ally of the United States, had already scaled back its weapon exports to Israel to non-lethal equipment like radios after a Hamas attack on October 7. ‘The situation on the ground prevents us from exporting any military equipment,’ the Canadian official told AFP anonymously.
Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly announced in the Toronto Star that Ottawa will cease future arms exports to Israel. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the decision, stating that it undermines Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas. Senator Bernie Sanders praised Canada’s move, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urging the US to reconsider its support for Israel’s military.
Historically, Israel has been a major recipient of Canadian arms exports, with over CAN$21 million worth of military equipment sent in 2022. Ottawa has only dispatched non-lethal shipments to Israel since the deadly Hamas attacks in October, with no exports sent since January. The recent Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas attacks, resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken a critical stance towards Israel as civilian casualties mount in Gaza. The Canadian Parliament passed a resolution advocating for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Legal actions regarding arms exports to Israel are underway globally, including in Canada where a group has filed a complaint against the government for violating international and domestic laws.
The decision to halt arms shipments to Israel reflects Canada’s response to the ongoing conflict in the region and demonstrates a shift in its foreign policy approach. As the situation in the Gaza Strip remains tense, international attention continues to focus on the actions of both Israel and Palestine, with calls for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict.
The Gaza Strip is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of famine due to months of conflict. Canada, a close ally of the United States, had already scaled back its weapon exports to Israel to non-lethal equipment like radios after a Hamas attack on October 7. ‘The situation on the ground prevents us from exporting any military equipment,’ the Canadian official told AFP anonymously.
Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly announced in the Toronto Star that Ottawa will cease future arms exports to Israel. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the decision, stating that it undermines Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas. Senator Bernie Sanders praised Canada’s move, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urging the US to reconsider its support for Israel’s military.
Historically, Israel has been a major recipient of Canadian arms exports, with over CAN$21 million worth of military equipment sent in 2022. Ottawa has only dispatched non-lethal shipments to Israel since the deadly Hamas attacks in October, with no exports sent since January. The recent Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas attacks, resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken a critical stance towards Israel as civilian casualties mount in Gaza. The Canadian Parliament passed a resolution advocating for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Legal actions regarding arms exports to Israel are underway globally, including in Canada where a group has filed a complaint against the government for violating international and domestic laws.
The decision to halt arms shipments to Israel reflects Canada’s response to the ongoing conflict in the region and demonstrates a shift in its foreign policy approach. As the situation in the Gaza Strip remains tense, international attention continues to focus on the actions of both Israel and Palestine, with calls for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict.
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