Hundreds of shipments containing explosives and parts for fighter jets have reportedly moved from Canada to Israel through the U.S. in the past two years, as per a recent report by a coalition of four non-governmental organizations. The findings, based on export data and U.S. Department of Defence contracts, suggest that these exports circumvent Canadian export controls by being routed through the U.S., ultimately aiding Israel’s military capabilities in carrying out actions deemed as war crimes in Gaza.
The report highlights 34 deliveries of military aircraft components between April 2024 and August of this year that were allegedly dispatched to U.S. facilities operated by Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 fighter jet, before being swiftly forwarded to Israel. Additionally, it references 360 separate aircraft part shipments to an F-35 assembly plant in Fort Worth, Texas, 150 shipments of explosives from two Quebec-based General Dynamics facilities to the U.S., and 433 shipments of TNT from a Polish manufacturer passing through the U.S. en route to Israel after transiting through Quebec’s Port of Saguenay.
A sneak peek of the report obtained by CBC News reveals that activists employed commercially available export data and U.S. Defence Department contracts to track the path of Canadian-manufactured goods sent to American facilities, subsequently monitoring shipments bearing “matching or similar shipping labels” from these facilities to Israeli military manufacturers.
The report raises concerns about the use of these goods by Israeli military facilities, particularly emphasizing the necessity for maintenance and replacement parts to keep advanced fighter jets operational. Activists stress the immediate support provided to Israel through these shipments, aiding in the continuous operation of their military aircraft.
Global Affairs Canada responded by stating that no new permits for items possibly utilized in the ongoing Gaza conflict have been sanctioned for Israel since January 8, 2024. The department also indicated the suspension of approximately 30 export permits for items destined for Israel that could potentially contribute to the conflict.
The coalition of NGOs has been persistent in shedding light on Canadian arms exports reaching Israel, urging for a comprehensive embargo on weapon deliveries to Israel, whether directly or indirectly through the U.S. loophole. The report underscores a significant legal gap in Canada’s export regulations that allows goods entering the U.S. to evade Canadian oversight, ultimately shirking accountability for potential human rights violations stemming from the use of these military supplies.
The report further details instances where Canadian-made aircraft components were transferred to Israel, including power and thermal management controllers from Honeywell Aerospace in Mississauga, Ont., and uplock assemblies from Héroux-Devtek in Laval, Que. The deliveries were traced from Canadian manufacturers to Lockheed Martin facilities in the U.S., eventually reaching destinations in Israel, such as the Israeli Defence Ministry and Lockheed’s Tel Aviv facility.
Moreover, the report scrutinizes the transportation of explosives from General Dynamics plants in Quebec to U.S. army ammunition facilities manufacturing munitions for Israel. It mentions the use of TNT from a Polish company in producing bombs deployed by Israeli fighter jets, indicating the ongoing impact of these deliveries on the conflict in Gaza.
The coalition’s call for a complete halt on weapon exports to Israel was reiterated during a recent news conference, where they advocated for stricter controls to prevent Canadian-made arms from contributing to conflicts abroad. The activists presented their findings alongside opposition NDP MP Jenny Kwan, who introduced a bill seeking to eliminate U.S. exemptions for arms control permits, scheduled for debate in the House of Commons.