FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: ARMS EMBARGO ON ISRAEL

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: ARMS EMBARGO ON ISRAEL

[ https://www.cjpme.org/faq_arms_embargo? ... urce=cjpme ]

LAST UPDATED: MARCH 21, 2024

QUESTION: IS THE GOVERNMENT SERIOUS ABOUT RESPECTING THE MOTION'S EMBARGO?

Although it was a non-binding motion, it appears that the Trudeau government intends to implement it, at least in part. The day after the vote, Minister Joly claimed that the ban on arms exports was “a real thing,” and added that the ban would continue “until we can ensure full compliance with our export regime.” Canada had already temporarily ‘paused’ new export approvals since January, but this would formalize this as a matter of policy.

Unfortunately, Minister Joly has also tried to implement the policy in a very limited way, putting in loopholes that significantly reduce its effectiveness.

First, Joly said that export permits approved before January 8 “remain in effect.” Global Affairs Canada defended this position by saying that “given the nature of the supply chain, suspending all open permits would have important implications for both Canada and its allies.” Yet allowing exports under previously approved permits would be an extreme violation of the motion’s intent. In the three months following Oct. 7, Canada approved a record-breaking volume of arms exports to Israel (see more below). Allowing these permits to stand would dramatically contradict the embargo that the motion sought to put in place. As such, it is important that Canada immediately revoke these permits before the weapons reach Israel.

Second, according to the NDP, when Joly made a deal to get the motion passed, she promised that she would issue a notice to exporters. Nevertheless, it is not yet clear what exactly will be communicated to exporters. To respect the will of Parliament, the Trudeau government should communicate that permits for military goods to Israel will not be approved and that the submission process is now closed. For the time being, Joly’s office has said that “companies can still apply for permits to export military goods, but Ottawa won’t issue decisions for the time being.” This is not good enough.

CJPME is also concerned that Minister Joly may try to limit the embargo to only supposedly “lethal” goods or full-system weapons, rather than the full range of controlled military goods (see below for a debunking of these talking points). Fortunately, initial statements from Global Affairs Canada officials indicate that the ban will correctly apply to “all military goods and technology subject to Canadian permit rules, such as radars or cameras."

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