Gaza Herald- A new investigative report reveals that Canadian arms shipments to Israel have continued despite government claims of halting military exports following the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023. The report contradicts official statements by presenting concrete data from Israeli import records and Canadian shipping documents, showing that Canadian-made weapons and military components have consistently reached Israel, even as Ottawa asserted otherwise.
Government Promises vs. Export Reality
The Canadian government announced a suspension of all new arms export permits to Israel starting January 8, 2024, following public and international outrage over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. However, a 58-page report titled Exposing Canadian Military Exports to Israel, published by four NGOs World Beyond War, the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), and Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) challenges that claim. According to the report, Israeli import data from the Israel Tax Authority, along with commercial shipping records, show over 390 shipments of Canadian military goods sent to Israel between October 2023 and May 2025. These shipments included more than 420,000 bullets, 735 cartridge parts, F-35 jet components such as navigation sensors and radar systems, surveillance equipment, and dual-use items like GPS antennas and circuit boards. The goods originated from 21 Canadian manufacturers in six cities. Many shipments were routed indirectly through the United States to bypass Canadian export restrictions. Some cargo was even transported on commercial airlines including Air Canada, Air France, Lufthansa, Air Transat, and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.
Ottawa’s Denials Contradicted by Shipping Data
The Canadian government maintains that it has not issued any new permits since January 2024 for items that could be used in Gaza. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) reiterated this stance to CBC News, stating that around 30 export permits were suspended due to potential use in the conflict. GAC spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod confirmed, “Canada has not approved any new permits for items to Israel that could be used in the current conflict in Gaza since January 8, 2024.” However, the NGOs argue that many existing permits some granted before or shortly after October 7, 2023 are still active. These permits are typically valid for two to four years, allowing military shipments to continue under previously approved authorizations.
Yara Shoufani, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, stated at a press conference in Ottawa, “This report lays bare, without a doubt, the true extent of Canada’s ongoing material support for Israel amidst this genocide. It illustrates that despite deceptive government statements, the flow of military cargo from Canada to Israel has been uninterrupted.” According to the NGOs, the Canadian government has continuously altered its language regarding the embargo. What began as a promise to suspend all arms exports was later redefined to apply only to “lethal equipment,” and more recently to items that could “be used in Gaza.” This evolving terminology creates ambiguity and leaves room for exporters to exploit legal loopholes.
Canadian Industry’s Role in the F-35 Program
The report places special focus on Canada’s contribution to the F-35 fighter jet, highlighting components manufactured by three Canadian companies Stelia, CMC Electronics, and Nexeya that are essential to the aircraft. These parts are estimated to represent $2.1 million of every F-35 jet. Israel is one of a limited number of countries that operate the aircraft. “Canadian components, we’ve known for a long time, are critical in constructing the F-35,” Shoufani said. The report references the Israeli airstrike on al-Mawasi in Khan Younis on July 13, 2024 a designated safe zone—where at least 90 Palestinians were killed and 300 injured. During that attack, the F-35 dropped three 2,000-pound bombs. The report asserts, “The F-35 cannot conduct airstrikes without Canadian parts.”
Use of Commercial Airlines for Military Cargo
Investigators documented 67 direct military cargo shipments carried on passenger aircraft. This has raised significant concerns about the use of civilian airlines to transport military equipment. Shipping manifests reviewed in the investigation show that Etihad Airways was involved in at least four flights delivering Canadian-made weapons to Israel since October 7. “Weapon parts were being loaded onto flights bound for vacation destinations, with passengers unaware of what was in the cargo hold,” said Shoufani. CBC News conducted its own review of the shipping records and Israeli import data, confirming the ongoing importation of Canadian bullets and other military items that Ottawa insists are not being exported.
Legal Loopholes and Violations of International Law
The report accuses the Canadian government of violating its own export regulations as well as international humanitarian law. These violations include the transfer of weapons to parties accused of committing war crimes. Although Canada does not directly sell weapons to the Israeli government, it issues permits for sales between Canadian and Israeli companies. Many permits are categorized as supporting Israeli firms that are part of global defense supply chains. Examples include printed circuit boards for land vehicles and materials used to maintain surveillance systems. “The extent to which Canadian military products are deeply embedded in Israel’s military infrastructure is staggering,” said Rachel Small, the Canadian coordinator for World Beyond War.
Two-Track Arms Trade: Direct and via the US
The report highlights that Canadian weapons reach Israel through two primary channels: direct exports and indirect routes via the United States. The indirect pathway is not subject to the same Canadian export regulations, making it a convenient loophole for companies seeking to continue arms sales. The authors argue that this legal gray area allows Canada to avoid accountability for exporting weapons to a state accused of war crimes. In return, Canada also imports Israeli military hardware equipment that has been used against Palestinians and is often marketed as “battle-tested” or “combat-proven.”
Public Opinion Shifting Against Government Policy
Public sentiment in Canada is increasingly critical of its arms relationship with Israel. A March 2025 survey commissioned by the National Council of Canadian Muslims found that 55 percent of Canadians support ending arms transfers to Israel. A similar portion supports the International Criminal Court and backs arresting Israeli leaders such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant if they enter Canadian jurisdiction. In response to the report, the NGOs are calling for a full arms embargo on Israel. Their demands include the cancellation of all existing permits, closure of loopholes involving U.S. transshipment, and a halt to all purchases of Israeli-made weapons and surveillance tools.
“Canadian politicians have deliberately misled the public,” concluded Shoufani. “This is not just a policy failure it’s complicity in a genocide.” At the time of publication, Global Affairs Canada had not responded to follow-up questions from Middle East Eye. The release of the report is expected to increase pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, which is already under mounting scrutiny from human rights groups, legal experts, and a growing number of concerned citizens.
