Canada To Suspend Future Arms Sales to Israel After Parliamentary Vote
Canada has announced it will suspend future arms sales to Israel following a vote in parliament on Monday. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed the decision to the Toronto Star, emphasizing, “It is a real thing.” This development comes after a non-binding motion, propelled by the New Democratic Party (NDP) and supported by Liberals, the Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party, succeeded with a 204-117 vote.
The NDP has criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration for not taking adequate measures to safeguard civilians in Gaza. While Trudeau has reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, his critiques of the ongoing assault in Gaza have become increasingly pointed.
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The motion also urges Canada to contribute to the efforts of establishing a Palestinian state, which aligns with the NDP’s longstanding position. However, despite the motion’s passage, Canada’s formal stance on Palestinian statehood remains unchanged. Canada advocates for it as an outcome of direct negotiations with Israel. Canada had previously paused new military export permits to Israel, opting for a case-by-case evaluation.
Responses to the parliamentary motion have been mixed. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East view it as a modest advancement towards ending Canada’s indirect involvement in the conflict in Gaza. Conversely, the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs has criticized the motion as “misguided and disingenuous,” arguing that it fails to address the humanitarian crisis or contribute to peace in the region and inappropriately equates Israel with Hamas, which Canada recognizes as a terrorist organization.
