Exposing Canada’s Role in Arming Israel
On July 29, World Beyond War and the Palestinian Youth Movement published a 53-page report, “Exposing Canadian Military Exports to Israel,” detailing the extent of the Canadian government’s direct involvement in the Palestinian genocide, which has killed at least 59,219 and injured 143,045 in Gaza since October 7, 2023 through July 23, 2025.1 This document directly refutes the terms outlined in the one-way arms embargo implemented in March 2024 by the Canadian government under the leadership of the Liberal party.
Since the non-binding, one-way arms embargo took effect, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, repeatedly denied that Canada has been providing any new weapons to Israel. During the federal election campaign in early 2025 and subsequently since taking office, current Prime Minister Mark Carney has also insisted that Canada was not sending any weapons to Israel. Despite facing scrutiny from Palestinian activists throughout Canada who demanded proof that the government was indeed true to its word, this report is indisputable evidence that the Canadian government has lied to its constituents for over a year.
Contributing to the Ongoing Palestinian Genocide
The report outlines the following quantities based on data collected and analyzed from commercial shipping data tracing direct shipments from Canadian manufacturers to Israel through July 2025 and Israeli Tax Authority import data from October 2023 to May 2025:
- 47 shipments with detailed commercial shipping records uncovered from manufacturers in Canada selling military-related components to Israeli weapons companies between October 2023 and July 2025
- 421,070 bullets exported to Israel since the Gaza assault began, including one shipment in April 2025 alone containing 175,000 bullets
- Three shipments of cartridges from a General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems facility in Repentigny, Quebec, including one that occurred nine days after the then-Foreign Affairs Minister publicly pledged that Canada would block munitions exports from the same Quebec company to the Israeli military
- 391 shipments including bullets, military equipment, weapons parts, aircraft components, and communication devices exported from Canada to Israel between October 2023 and June 2025, according to data from the Israeli Tax Authority – representing only a portion of total exports
- Shipments from seven Canadian cities destined primarily for Israel’s largest weapons company, Elbit Systems, and its subsidiaries, along with other Israeli defence firms including Elta Systems, WaldyTech, Snunit Aviation, and NIRON Systems
- Around 100 international flights transporting Canadian components to Israel – 64 of them commercial passenger flights where military cargo was loaded beneath civilian travelers on routes through Frankfurt, Paris, New York, Abu Dhabi, and New Delhi
Since the report was published, Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, released a statement denying the veracity of the results in the report, stating that “a number of claims in the report are misleading and significantly misrepresent the facts,” and, for example, that “items identified as ‘bullets’ are, in fact, paintball-style projectiles.”
Anand has recently closed her office in Oakville, citing “security concerns,“ and continues to avoid constituents.
The report has received widespread media coverage as Canadians wake up to the biggest scandal in modern Canadian history. Twenty-six senators called for a full arms embargo hours after the report was released.
According to a recent poll from Angus Reid, 52% of Canadians agree that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, and 54% believe that Canada needs to ensure it is not selling lethal military equipment to Israel.
On July 30th, Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. However, this recognition comes with the following provisions: (1) Hamas must immediately release all hostages; (2) Hamas must disarm; and (3) Hamas must play no role in the future governance of Palestine. This statement did not address Canada’s direct role in funding the ongoing genocide.
“The timing of this announcement is deeply suspect. Carney’s government appears more interested in deflecting attention from the damning arms trade revelations than in delivering real justice for Palestinians. Recognition is meaningless without sanctions on Israel. Palestine solidarity advocates won’t be placated by symbolic gestures,” said Jason Toney, Director of Media Advocacy at Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, following release of the statement.
Hollow Recognition of Palestine State While Arming the Genocide
The Canadian government’s insistence of their support of Palestine rings hollow, as they stand in complete support of the Zionist state. As so-called “Israel” continues its genocidal campaign, which includes starving the people of Gaza by blocking the direct entry of aid, planning a total military takeover of the entire Gaza strip and forced expulsion of Palestinians, and fully annexing the West Bank, we demand that the Canadian government act under international law and implement a two-way arms embargo immediately. To do anything less will directly continue and exacerbate one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history.
The Socialist Project condemns the Canadian government’s complicity and usage of our tax dollars to fund the illegal Zionist state’s genocide in Palestine. We stand with the people of Palestine and the determination for their land and full freedom from the Zionist state, as demanded under international law.
The Socialist Project also supports the “hot cargo” campaign led by Labour 4 Palestine. Dock workers have the legal right under international law not to load or ship any weapons or parts to the Zionist state. We also stand with workers who have been fired for their advocacy for Palestine.
Activists in Toronto have launched a “Week of Action” (August 11-15) to demand a two-way arms embargo. Widespread protests were held on August 12 at TTC stations across Line 2.
Read more about the Arms Embargo Campaign and ways to take further action at ArmsEmbargoNow.ca. •
Palestine and the COVID Crisis
Gaza Genocide and the Canadian LeftEndnotes
- This figure is based on the latest available statistics from the Gaza Health Ministry on confirmed murders. However, it is known that many more people have been killed and remain under the rubble. Reports have estimated that the likely number of people murdered is likely in the hundreds of thousands.
