Today the Canadian Government ‘announced’ they are considering restrictions on settlement goods. Shortly after, Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with France and the UK stated they will “take steps to ban the importation of goods from settlements and enforce targeted measures against settlements and those who facilitate them or profit from them.” While we welcome the step, it is insufficient.
We know many goods are being imported to Canada from illegal settlements. We also know there are many other avenues in which Canada is aiding and assisting Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise (in violation of Canadian and international law).
That is why we are demanding the government take fulsome action when it states it will “enforce targeted measures against settlements and those who facilitate them or profit from them” [emphasis added]. The framing of the statement positions the “systematic settlement expansion” as an external issue. In reality, the Canadian government, and many businesses and charities are all actively facilitating the maintenance and expansion of illegal settlements. This double standard was made clear in Canada’s earlier statement today where they said
“We firmly oppose actions tantamount to the annexation of Palestinian land and forcible displacement of the Palestinian population.”
Yet, they actively contribute to the these exact things through
- Import and export of goods
- Investments
- Services, including strategic and military support
- Arms transfers
- Charitable tax breaks
- Allowing Canadian companies to operate in illegal settlements (e.g., Aldo)
- Allowing the sale of Palestinian land in Canada
Banning settlement goods is one step, but it is just that. We need more, urgently. The Palestinian people cannot wait. The Canadian government must end all support of Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise.
This needs to include the illegally occupied Syrian Golan as well as illegally occupied Palestine.
Settlement Goods
We know some of the key settlement goods coming into Canada. These include
- Medjoul dates
- Alcohol / wine
- Dead sea minerals
- Keter plastics
There are likely other products that we are unable to track at this time. In some cases, that is because only a portion of the final product originated and/or was manufactured in an illegal settlement. However, any restrictions must include the whole supply chain. Regardless of which part, if any aspect of the goods are procured, grown, manufactured, etc, in an illegal settlement, they must be banned. The government must also end CIFTA which provides trade benefits to Israel and fails to differentiate products from illegal settlements.
Investments
The Canadian government itself, for example, is implicated through Canada Pension Plan investments, as is the Quebec government through La Caisse (CDPQ). Other avenues include:
- Public pension plans
- Federally regulated banks
- Public institutions like universities
Arms and Weapons
The Canadian government continues to allow companies to export weapons / components to companies arming the Israeli military. The fact that the illegal occupation is a military occupation, cannot be separated.
Charitable Tax Breaks
Further, Canadian charities continue to send money to Israel in support of its illegal settlements and military. There are many charities but a few key orgs include
- Mizrachi
- United Israel Appeal of Canada
- Israeli universities
International law is clear and the Canadian government has recognized it time and again: Israeli settlements are illegal. What Canada avoids saying is that they are also illegal under Canadian law through the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act and Geneva Conventions Act. Therefore, Canada is not only responsible for its complicity under international law, but also under Canadian law itself.
Further, Canada has an obligation to ensure that violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention do not occur under any circumstance. When Canada or other signatories fail to do so, they themselves are complicit with war crimes. They also have a responsibility to not only punish but prevent genocide.
Canada must stop its lip service and start taking real action that truly puts an end to Canadian assistance and aid for Israel’s illegal occupation, apartheid regime, and ongoing genocide.
