OTTAWA - A Canadian senator is urging the government to clarify its arms export policy to Israel amid conflicting reports about what military goods are being sent to the region. Senator Yuen Pau Woo expressed his concerns, stating, "I'm horrified to hear this news about certain arms exports and parts going to Israel, directly or indirectly. Civilians are being killed and starved, and the Israeli government has only made things worse."

The Canadian government maintains that it does not permit the export of lethal weapons to Israel and has blocked military goods that could be used in Gaza. In March 2024, Parliament passed a non-binding motion to halt new arms permits for Israel. Following this, the government reviewed existing export permits and suspended about 30 of them to assess their potential lethal uses. Despite this, Ottawa has continued to allow other military export permits to Israel, with 164 permits issued in 2024 alone.

The office of then-Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated that none of the valid permits allowed for the export of lethal goods, such as weapons technology. The government stopped approving new permits for Israel on January 8, 2024, citing human rights concerns. While Israel's foreign minister warned that this decision could hinder Israel's defense capabilities, Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed asserted, "we will be able to continue to defend ourselves."

Ottawa's restrictions reportedly exclude "non-lethal" equipment. A list of existing permits provided to Parliament in June 2024 included numerous mentions of circuit boards. In September 2024, after the U.S. State Department approved the sale of mortar cartridges from Quebec to Israel, Joly reiterated that Canadian-made weapons would not reach Gaza. "We will not have any form of arms or parts of arms be sent to Gaza, period," she stated.

Critics, including groups like Project Ploughshares, argue that the term "non-lethal" is vague and misleading. They contend that components such as lenses and cameras could be utilized by Israel in military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, despite the government's claims that Israel is violating international law in these areas.

In late July, pro-Palestinian activists reported that Israeli customs data indicated imports from Canada included bullets and other weapons. The data suggested that 175,000 bullets were sent under a customs code for "munitions of war and parts thereof." The Canadian government took three days to respond, with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand's office stating that the report was flawed and misleading. Anand clarified that the bullets were "paintball-style projectiles" not intended for combat, a characterization that Senator Woo criticized as trivializing the issue.

Woo, along with 31 other senators, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the arms exports to Israel. He described Anand's response as "very limited, slippery and highly defensive," emphasizing the need for a serious acknowledgment of the situation in Gaza.

Advocates have raised concerns that Canadian components are being used in Israeli military aircraft, including fighter jets and drones. However, the government insists it is taking measures to prevent Canadian components from being used in Gaza.

On August 4, the Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council released a report from the Library of Parliament, claiming it contradicted the government's assertions. The report, marked "not to be published," was described by the government as a rehash of publicly available information. Advocates highlighted that the report showed two arms permits issued in 2024, which the government acknowledged were disclosed to Parliament last June.

Anand's office noted that these permits were issued on January 8, 2024, the same day the government ceased issuing new permits. The report also mentioned $2.3 million in Canadian sales to Israel categorized as "bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, other explosive devices and charges and related accessories, components and equipment." Anand's spokesman clarified that these were electronic components for Israel's Iron Dome system.

While the government claims its policies have not changed, critics argue that the language used by officials has shifted. Anand's office stated, "Canada has not approved the export of any lethal weapons or munitions to Israel since January 2024." However, Woo accused the government of being evasive and legalistic in its responses.

The government has expressed concerns that a complete arms embargo could disrupt complex supply chains essential for Canada and its allies. Senator Woo has called for a halt to all military trade with Israel, warning of potential legal consequences for complicity in war crimes.

Public sentiment appears divided. A recent survey indicated that 54 percent of Canadians want the government to ensure it is not selling lethal military equipment to Israel, while 20 percent support dropping restrictions.

The government maintains that it provides regular reports on arms exports and has submitted extensive documentation to Parliament. However, Woo criticized this transparency, stating, "To play with words, when a genocide is happening before our very eyes … it's scandalous."