After the United Kingdom, Canada also suspended 30 arms export permits to Israel and canceled a contract with a U.S. company involving the sale of Quebec-made ammunition to the Israeli military, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced.
Joly said that the Canadian government will not permit Canadian-made ammunition, produced by the Canadian branch of U.S.-based General Dynamics, to be sold or transferred to other countries for resale to Israel.
The decision was welcomed by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the country’s largest Muslim advocacy group.
“Minister Joly sent a clear message affirming that Canada’s arms ban to Israel remains in place,” the NCCM posted on X. They applauded Joly for addressing the potential loophole in the proposed sale of explosives by General Dynamics, ensuring it would not be exploited.
The sale of Canadian arms through intermediary countries for resale to Israel has long been a contentious issue. Joly emphasized that such transactions, including the one involving General Dynamics, are explicitly prohibited under Canadian policy.
“Our policy regarding General Dynamics is unambiguous,” Joly stated. “We will not allow any form of arms or components to be sent to Gaza, under any circumstances. How or where they’re being shipped is irrelevant. The government’s stance is clear, and we are in direct contact with General Dynamics.”
However, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs expressed concern, describing Joly’s comments as indicating “a disturbing shift” in Canada’s policy toward Israel, according to a report by The Globe and Mail.
