OTTAWA - The Canadian government is firmly denying allegations that it has exported lethal weapons to Israel. This statement follows the release of a report claiming that Israeli customs data shows regular shipments of Canadian arms to the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand addressed the issue, stating that items labeled as "bullets" by the Israel Tax Authority were actually "paintball-style projectiles" that are not suitable for combat. Despite the authority's classification of these items as "munitions of war and parts thereof," Anand maintains that Canada does not permit the export of military materials that could be used in Gaza.

The government's response comes just three days after a coalition of Canadian advocates for Palestinians published a report detailing several shipments from Canada to Israel. Among these shipments, one was reportedly identified as "tanks and other armored fighting vehicles" or their components.

Anand described the report as "flawed" and reiterated that Canada continues to block military export permits for any items that could potentially be used in conflict zones. In March 2024, Parliament passed a non-binding motion to stop new arms permits for Israel, prompting the government to initiate a review of existing export permits.

The organizations behind the recent report have accused the government of misleading Parliament regarding the nature of Canadian firms' shipments to Israel. This ongoing debate highlights the complexities surrounding arms exports and international relations.