Ankara: Canada on Saturday reaffirmed its ban on military exports that could be used in Gaza, rejecting claims in a July 29 report suggesting that arms still flow to Israel from Canada.
According to Anadolu Agency, Canada has drawn a firm line since January 2024 by refusing any new permits for controlled goods that could be used in Gaza. Not a single permit has been approved, and all existing permits that might have allowed military components to be used in Gaza were frozen in 2024, remaining suspended to this day, emphasized Foreign Minister Anita Anand in a statement.
The Foreign Minister reiterated that Canadian law strictly prohibits any company from exporting controlled goods without a valid permit. She stressed that Canadian officials are committed to ensuring compliance with these laws, with violators facing potential legal consequences, including fines, seizures, and criminal charges. Anand firmly declared that Canadian-made weapons will not contribute to the conflict in any form.
After thoroughly reviewing the July 29, 2025 report, the Canadian Foreign Ministry found several of the report's claims to be misleading and misrepresenting the facts. Anand clarified that items identified as "bullets" were actually paintball-style projectiles, accompanied by equipment rendering firearms inoperable with traditional rounds. Such items could not be used in combat, and any necessary permits would not be granted.
No mortars have been sent from Canadian manufacturers to Israel, whether directly or indirectly, since before the suspension of permits, Anand noted. However, the July 29 report by researchers from four NGOs, including World Beyond War, the Palestinian Youth Movement, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, and Independent Jewish Voices, presented data from the Israel Tax Authority indicating Canadian goods labeled as military weapon parts and ammunition continue to enter Israel.
At a news conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, Yara Shoufani of the Palestinian Youth Movement stated that the findings indicate Canada's ongoing material support for Israel, despite government denials. The activists also obtained commercial shipping documents confirming the transfer of ammunition and military equipment from Canadian companies to Israel.