Why are groups claiming victory over arms exports to Israel?
Groups say progress being made for an arms embargo
Peace groups are claiming victory for pushing the Liberal government to place more restrictions on arms exports to Israel – and potentially weapons and components shipped to the United States.
An arms embargo has been a central demand of groups trying to stop the killing of tens of thousands of people by Israel in Gaza as part of the Israeli Defence Force’s response to the vicious attack by Hamas inside Israel on October 7, 2023.
Groups say progress is being made
The pro-Palestinian group Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East said in an email, “Canada is starting to move closer to an arms embargo on Israel.”
World Beyond War added in an email, “Once again our movement has forced the government to do what it was determined not to — cut back the Canada-Israel arms trade, bit by bit, and move one step closer to an arms embargo.”
Minister suspends 30 export permits
They were reacting to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly telling reporters Tuesday that she asked her department to look into Canadian companies' existing [arms export] permits.
"We are asking questions to these companies. Following that, I asked my department to look into any existing permits of arms or parts of arms that could have been sent to Israel," the minister said. "Following that, I suspended this summer around 30 existing permits of Canadian companies and we are asking questions to these companies."
She added that the government is opposed to the deal for 50,000 Quebec-made “highly explosive” mortars to be sent to the Israeli military via the United States.
Canada violating the Arms Trade Treaty: groups
In late August nearly twenty organizations sent an open letter to Joly.
They expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, citing Canada’s potential complicity through its continued export of military goods to Israel. These exports, they argued, violated Canada’s obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). They pointed to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians and the destruction of vital infrastructure, urging the Canadian government to halt arms transfers to Israel, which they claimed facilitated violations of international humanitarian law and undermined Canada’s commitment to peace.
The letter referenced Canada’s legal responsibilities under the ATT and international rulings on Israel’s actions. Despite earlier signs of pausing arms transfers, the organizations criticized ongoing exports, including a $61-million sale of mortar cartridges. They called on Canada to revoke all arms permits to Israel, fulfill its legal obligations, and focus on diplomatic efforts to help end the conflict.
Groups will continue to press the government, especially on exports of components sent to the United States for F-35 fighter jets which are used by the Israeli Air Force, as this video by The Breach explains.
There will be a continued focus on the issue. CBC journalist Janyce McGregor points out, “A suspension is not a cancellation…There may be over 200 valid permits to ship to Israel right now, so 30 suspensions falls well short of the total arms embargo activist organizations — not to mention 22 Liberal MPs — have demanded.”
Please explain your answer in a comment.
Last week’s poll results
Last week I asked, “Do you agree with the NDP’s decision to “rip up” the cooperation deal with the Liberals?” Twice as many people said “no” (57%), than those who voted “yes” (26%), and the remainder chose “Don’t know/ Unsure” (17%).
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Thank you for everything you do for peace.
Steve
It depends on the type of arms they are sending whether essential or only minor additions. I feel that Gaza will be affected by the suspension. We are trying to end the war and restore peace again instead of keeping it going. The same for the other countries that are still at war. The loss of people's lives and the destruction of countries that they lived in. Where is the love and dignity of each person?
Sr. Marilyn Larocque, RHSJ
We can change anything, but we can never change just one thing.
I'd estimate that Canada's progress will improve things by an amount too small to measure. It could be the start of a trend, depending on how well it is accepted.