A significant shift is underway in Canada as a majority of the population supports maintaining a ban on arms exports to Israel, with nearly half advocating for an even stricter embargo. A recent poll revealed that 55% of Canadians back the existing weapons prohibition, implemented in response to Israel’s brutal military campaign in Gaza. Furthermore, 49% believe that Canada should go further by halting the sale of weapons parts, military services, and training to Israel.
This growing sentiment reflects mounting frustration with Israel’s actions in Gaza, where relentless bombardment and displacement have led to a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. The shift also suggests that Canadian citizens are increasingly unwilling to see their government play a role in facilitating Israeli aggression. The push for a full two-way weapons embargo signals a broader rejection of policies that enable war crimes and human rights abuses.
Support for International Arrest Warrants
Beyond the arms embargo, there is also strong public support for international legal action against Israeli leadership. More than 56% of Canadians believe that their government should uphold the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. These warrants, issued in response to war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, could theoretically lead to Netanyahu’s arrest if he were to enter Canada.
Among supporters of the ruling Liberal Party, recognition of the ICC’s decision is particularly high, with 70% favoring compliance with the arrest warrant. Even within traditionally pro-Israel conservative circles, there is growing division, as nearly half of conservative voters either support the measure or remain unsure. This development suggests that Israel’s unchecked violence and defiance of international law are eroding its standing even among former allies.
Canada’s Policy Shift on Arms Exports
Canada’s government has already taken unprecedented steps in restricting arms shipments to Israel. In March 2024, the country imposed a complete ban on arms sales, following a parliamentary motion that passed with strong backing. This decision came months after Canada suspended 30 permits for military exports to Israel and canceled a contract that would have sent Quebec-made ammunition to the Israeli military.
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The move marks a stark departure from Canada’s traditional role as a quiet supporter of Israel. It also aligns Canada more closely with international efforts to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes. By restricting the flow of weapons, Canada is reducing its complicity in the mass killing of Palestinian civilians, an issue that has sparked growing outrage both domestically and globally.
Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
While Canada debates its role in Israel’s war machine, the situation on the ground in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The United Nations reported that 142,000 people were displaced in a single week as Israeli airstrikes and forced evacuations escalate. Currently, 17% of Gaza—equivalent to roughly 61 square kilometers—is under direct Israeli evacuation orders, leaving civilians with nowhere to seek refuge.
Israel’s unrelenting military onslaught, coupled with a complete blockade on humanitarian aid, has made survival in Gaza nearly impossible. Basic supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, are running out. The UN has condemned Israel’s systematic obstruction of humanitarian relief, revealing that between March 18 and March 24, Israeli forces blocked 82% of planned aid deliveries. The deliberate starvation and deprivation of an entire population constitute crimes against humanity, yet Israel continues to act with impunity.
Israel’s War Crimes Under Global Scrutiny
Israel’s military campaign has already killed nearly 50,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children, with more than 113,700 wounded since October 2023. The indiscriminate bombings, targeted killings, and forced displacements have led to accusations of genocide, with Israel currently facing a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Despite mounting evidence of war crimes, Western governments, including Canada, have historically shielded Israel from accountability.
However, the tide is turning. The ICC’s arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant mark a historic moment in the fight for justice. Countries that claim to uphold international law must now decide whether they will enforce these warrants or continue enabling Israel’s atrocities. With the Canadian public increasingly demanding action, the pressure on Ottawa to take a firmer stance against Israeli war crimes is intensifying.
The Road Ahead for Canada’s Israel Policy
Canada’s shift away from unconditional support for Israel is a reflection of broader global trends. As the human cost of Israel’s occupation and military aggression becomes undeniable, more nations may be forced to reconsider their diplomatic and military ties with the apartheid state.
The overwhelming public support for an arms embargo and the ICC arrest warrants demonstrates that Canada’s stance on Israel is no longer dictated by political elites alone. Instead, ordinary Canadians are demanding that their government align its foreign policy with human rights and international law. Whether the Canadian leadership will follow through on these demands remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the era of unquestioning support for Israeli war crimes is rapidly coming to an end.