Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced on Tuesday, Canada’s plan to halt arms sales to Israel, according to The Toronto Start following the Canadian Parliament decision to pass a non-binding motion that called for the move.
The motion, introduced by the New Democratic party (NDP), calls on the governing Liberals to cease any all future arms exports to Israel. The New Democrats, who are supporting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority government, have expressed their dissatisfaction with what they see as his failure to protect Gaza’s civilians.
The motion passed 204-117 with the support of Bloc Québécois, Liberals, and the Green party – also called on Canada to move “towards the establishment of the state of Palestine”.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz commented on the published report, according to which Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that her country would cease future arms exports to the Hebrew state.
“It’s regrettable that the Canadian government is taking a step that undermines Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas terrorists, who have committed terrible crimes against humanity and against innocent Israeli civilians, including the elderly, women, and children,” Katz wrote in a statement, adding that “History will judge Canada’s current action harshly.”
Last week, Canada stated it had paused non-lethal military equipment to Israel since January. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has recently taken an increasing critical stance over the Israeli military campaign in Gaza while asserting Israel’s right to defend itself.