Canada rejects allegations of arms exports to 'Israel'

On Saturday, Canada’s government firmly reiterated its ban on military exports that could be used in Gaza, dismissing a recent report alleging ongoing arms shipments from Canada to 'Israel', Anadolu Agency reported.

Since January 2024, Canada has refused to issue any new permits for controlled goods that might be deployed in Gaza, Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasized. “Not one has been approved,” she stated.

Moreover, the Canadian government froze all existing permits in 2024 related to military components that could potentially be used in Gaza, and these remain suspended today, Anand added.

The law explicitly forbids any company from exporting controlled goods without a valid permit, with strict penalties, including fines, seizures, and criminal charges, ready to be enforced against violators.

“We will not allow Canadian-made weapons to contribute to this conflict in any form,” the minister affirmed.

Following an examination of the July 29, 2025, report accusing Canada of continuing military exports to 'Israel', Anand described several claims as “misleading” and a “significant misrepresentation of the facts.”

Specifically, the items identified as “bullets” were, in reality, paintball-style projectiles paired with equipment that renders firearms incapable of firing traditional rounds. “These cannot be used in combat, and if they were, they would require a permit that would not be granted,” Anand clarified.

She further noted that no mortars from Canadian manufacturers have been shipped to 'Israel', either directly or indirectly, since permits were suspended.

The contested July 29 report was compiled by researchers from four NGOs: World Beyond War, the Palestinian Youth Movement, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, and Independent Jewish Voices. It cited Israel Tax Authority data showing Canadian-labeled military weapon parts and ammunition entering Israel.

At a news conference in Ottawa on Tuesday, Yara Shoufani from the Palestinian Youth Movement argued that the findings expose Canada’s “ongoing material support” for 'Israel' despite official denials. Activists also presented commercial shipping documents allegedly confirming shipments of ammunition and military equipment from Canadian firms to 'Israel'.