NDP calls on Liberals to impose a two-way arms embargo on Netanyahu’s Israel

OTTAWA – On Thursday, NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Heather McPherson (Edmonton-Strathcona) continued her push on Canada to do more for a just and lasting peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. She presented a petition to Parliament signed by over 82 000 Canadians, asking for a two-way arms embargo between Canada and Israel. The petition also calls for an investigation into whether Canadian weapons or components have been used in the occupied Palestinian territories and the war in Gaza. This is the ninth-largest petition in parliamentary e-petition history.

“The ongoing horror in Gaza should require the Canadian government to take action to save lives and end potential complicity in war crimes and ethnic cleansing,” said McPherson. “We need a two-way embargo. Canada shouldn’t be purchasing anything that Israel advertises as “battle tested” on Palestinians under occupation. This would send a very clear signal that Canada wants a ceasefire and an end to the killing of innocent civilians.”

The NDP is also calling out the Liberals’ refusal to make public documents on arms exports to Israel as requested by Canada’s Foreign Affairs Committee two months ago. The government missed the 30-day deadline to produce these documents. McPherson proposed a new motion at Foreign Affairs Committee last week.

“Canadians deserve this information about what Canada is exporting and importing in their name,” said McPherson. “The Liberals are not only refusing to provide transparency, but also disregarding the will of a parliamentary committee to compel documents on important issues. This is setting a terrible precedent.”

McPherson also noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue a notice to exporters to end Canadian arms exports to Israel, as was promised on March 18th.

New Democrats are also calling on Canada to do more to address the wider crisis in the Middle East, including working for de-escalation, imposing sanctions on extremist settlers and Israeli government officials engaging in genocidal language, and listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

New Democrats will continue to push for a just and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.