Ottawa: Canadian Muslim organizations and a leading human rights advocate on Wednesday welcomed Ottawa's decision to join 11 countries in the long "overdue" but "monumental" move to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
According to Anadolu Agency, Ahmad Al Qadi, Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), stated at a news conference in Ottawa that the organization was "here to welcome the government's announcement on a categorical ban on products emerging from illegal Israeli settlements." Al Qadi highlighted that although this action was delayed, September 8th, 2026, would be remembered as a significant day in Canada's history as it reflects Canada's commitment to upholding human rights, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as emphasized by Prime Minister Mark Carney in his Davos address.
Al Qadi further noted that the ban illustrates Canada's capacity to construct a new world order respecting these values. He expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand for advancing the ban and emphasized the responsibility of Canadian businesses operating internationally to respect human rights and ensure their activities do not contribute to adverse impacts.
Imam Sikander Hashmi, executive director of the Canadian Council of Imams, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Canada's trade policy should not support the dispossession and abuse of another people. He called the ban "overdue" and stressed that Islamic teachings do not prohibit business dealings based on ethnicity or religion. Hashmi pointed out that Prophet Muhammad engaged in business with diverse communities, stating that "honest and respectful trade can benefit everyone" and can bring communities together, whereas trade that sustains injustice requires a different response.
Human rights advocate Amira Elghawaby, Canada's former special representative on combatting Islamophobia, remarked that the decision is rooted in the clear principles of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and multiple United Nations resolutions and international court findings. Elghawaby noted that Canada and its allies are sending a strong signal that they refuse to be complicit in violating international law. She cited public opinion, indicating that more Canadians oppose illegal settlements than support them and that there is significant support for banning settlement products.
Elghawaby reiterated that Canada's responsibilities extend beyond its borders and that consistently upholding international law is how Canada earns the right to speak about human rights globally.
The announcement aligns with a collective stance taken by 12 countries, whose foreign ministers declared their intent to impose or consider trade restrictions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements. The countries criticized Israel's actions in the West Bank as undermining prospects for a two-state solution and stressed the importance of preserving the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state. In retaliation, Israel announced the closure of the UK's consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, which serves Palestinians.