NDP reacts to damning new report on Canada’s arms exports to Israel « Canada’s NDP
OTTAWA — On Tuesday, NDP critic for Foreign Affairs Heather McPherson reacted to a damning new report from civil society confirming what New Democrats have long said: Canada’s arms exports to Israel are continuing amid the genocide and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as state-sanctioned violence in the West Bank.
This report contradicts the Liberal government’s claims that it has stopped sending weapons to Israel and confirms Canada’s non-compliance with its obligations under both international and domestic law. In February 2024, McPherson urged the government to release information on Canada’s arms exports to Israel. After her motion was passed at the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, the government was forced to release some documents to the public.
“Last year, the Liberal government promised to end arms transfers to Israel amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza — and it’s now clear they’ve broken that promise,” said McPherson. “Today’s report shows that the Liberals misled Canadians instead of taking meaningful action to stop the violence and starvation killing Palestinian civilians.”
The International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision in January 2024 was clear that all states, including Canada, must take action to end complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Canada’s ongoing arms transfers to Israel contravene the ICJ decision, as well as the Liberal government’s obligations under both the Genocide Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty.
“This Liberal government is illegally fueling the genocide of Palestinians — and Canadians are right to feel betrayed and horrified,” said McPherson. “New Democrats have been calling for a two-way arms embargo on Israel for over a year, but Mark Carney, Anita Anand, Justin Trudeau, and Mélanie Joly have all refused to end Canada’s complicity. Canadians have been loud and clear: end arms transfers to Israel now.”
The NDP continues to urge the government to apply maximum pressure on Netanyahu to end the genocide and advance peace: impose a two-way arms embargo, sanction Israeli leaders, suspend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement, comply with international courts, and immediately recognize the State of Palestine—which is the path to peace, security and justice for Israelis and Palestinians.