Two-Way Canada-Israel Arms Embargo Now!

The House of Commons voted on March 18 to "cease the further authorization and transfer of arms exports to Israel to ensure compliance with Canada's arms export regime."

Although the motion gives the impression that Canada is banning arms exports, this is not the case. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated after the vote that a record number of approvals totalling $28.5 million between October and December 2023 would still go ahead despite the vote. Furthermore, loopholes clearly exist for the sale of components which in and of themselves are classified as "non-lethal," but which are in fact used in lethal weaponry.

Canadians are demanding an arms embargo now, a clear two-way embargo in which Canada does not permit the sale of any weapons or components to Israel, nor does it permit the purchase of arms from Israeli companies, all of which are providing the weapons for Israel's genocide.

Hosting a sale of weapons "battle tested" on the Palestinian people constitutes active support for genocide, and those responsible must be held to account. The call for a two-way arms embargo also brings to the fore the necessity to end Canada's integration into the U.S. war machine and economy as Canadian arms and components would continue to make their way to Israel via the U.S. to be used against the people of the world in U.S. wars of aggression and revenge.

A transparent, two-way arms embargo is an important and urgent measure that people of conscience are demanding. The reprehensible provision of a "sandbox" on Canadian territory for purveyors of genocide must not pass! Halting the sale of all arms used to attack the people of the world and the struggles of people for their independence and sovereignty is an important part of the work to Make Canada a Zone for Peace!

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This article was published in

Volume 54 Number 37 - June 18, 2024

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2024/Articles/MS54376.HTM

Website:  www.cpcml.ca   Email:  editor@cpcml.ca