Canada Authorized $37.2 Million In New Military Exports To Israel

 

Global Affairs insists it hasn’t authorized exports that could be used in Gaza, but won’t say if this policy applies to Israel’s other conflicts.

Data from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) shows that in February the Liberal government authorized two new military export permits to Israel worth a combined total of $37.2 million.

GAC insists it has not authorized any new export permits for goods that it believes could be used in Gaza, but won’t answer questions about whether or not this policy applies to Israel’s military operations in other regions.

The newly authorized goods fall under an export category that includes “bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, other explosive devices and charges and related equipment and accessories,” and another category that concerns military “technology.”

GAC redacted other details about the permits, including the names of the companies that obtained them, as well as information about the exact nature of the goods and how they are intended to be used — and by whom — in Israel.

The government authorized the new permits, which are valid for a total of two years, on February 28, when Justin Trudeau was still prime minister. 

Four days after that date, March 4, GAC responded to an enquiry on a separate matter from The Maple with a statement reading: “Since January 8th, 2024, the Government of Canada has not approved new arms export permits to Israel, and this remains the Government’s approach.”

Since then, however, GAC changed its messaging in response to other media requests from The Maple to specify that the pause on new export permits applies to goods that “could be used in the current conflict in Gaza.” 

The department repeated that statement when asked by The Maple about the two newly authorized permits, adding that last year it suspended approximately 30 permits “that could have been incorporated into items used in that conflict.”

The Maple has repeatedly asked GAC if the new messaging means that goods that it believes could be used in Israel’s other military engagements — in the occupied West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iran — might be exempt from the pause. 

GAC refused to provide an answer.  (more...)

Canada Authorized $37.2 Million In New Military Exports To Israel