Montreal, March 18, 2025 — As Israel renews deadly airstrikes on Gaza, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is once again calling on the Canadian government to cut all ties with the F-35 fighter jet program and implement a full two-way arms embargo on Israel. Two weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu refused to move to Stage 2 of the ceasefire deal and instead cut off the entry of food, medicine and humanitarian aid into Gaza as part of its “Hell Plan.” Overnight, Israel escalated its attacks with a series of airstrikes that killed over 400 Palestinians, including children. CJPME urges Canada to respond to Israeli aggression by closing off the remaining loopholes that allow Canadian weapons – including F-35 components – to reach Israel via the United States.

“It is unconscionable that Canada still allows weapons manufacturers to produce parts for the F-35 fighter jets that Israel is using to bomb entire Palestinian families,” said Michael Bueckert, Acting President of CJPME. Prime Minister Carney is currently reviewing the planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets for the Canadian military as a result of President Trump’s trade war, but CJPME argues that he must also prohibit the export of components for the F-35 program via the United States.

“Canada’s approach to the Gaza ceasefire talks has completely failed, allowing Netanyahu to sabotage the agreement with total impunity. Without sanctions and other forms of meaningful pressure, Israel has no incentive to abandon its genocidal ambitions for Gaza nor end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories. Prime Minister Carney must respond to this moment with a true arms embargo that includes the F-35 program,” added Bueckert.

Canada’s arms control regime allows weapons to flow through the US to Israel unregulated, unreported, and without human rights evaluations. Project Ploughshares estimates that approximately CAD$120.9 million worth of Canadian technology has been supplied to produce F-35s specifically destined for use by the Israeli military (as part of the “F-35I” program). Last month, CJPME joined more than 230 organizations around the world in calling on F-35 partner nations to finally stop the transfer of F-35 parts and components to Israel.