Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced Tuesday evening that her country would suspend arms sales to Israel.
Joly told the Canadian newspaper “Star” that, it’s “a real thing,” commenting on the decision, after the majority of Liberal MPs and government members voted in favor of a modified decision by the National Democratic Party.
Joly added that this decision is significant, not symbolic, confirming that it means Canada will no longer export “arms to Israel.
A Canadian government source also informed the French news agency AFP that Canada has halted arms exports to Israel.
This move comes at a time when Ottawa has only sent “non-lethal” shipments to Israel since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, such as communication equipment.
The source added that no military exports to the Israeli state have been recorded since January.
Israel is one of the largest importers of Canadian arms, having received military equipment worth CAD 21 million in 2022, according to Radio Canada, preceded by shipments worth CAD 26 million in 2021.
This places Israel on the list of the top 10 importers of Canadian arms.
Earlier this month, a group of lawyers and Canadian Palestinians filed a complaint against the Canadian government demanding the suspension of arms exports to Israel, considering that Ottawa thereby violates domestic and international law.
Last Monday, the Canadian Parliament issued a non-binding resolution calling on the international community to work towards a two-state solution.
