Canada's central labour union says workers will not handle military cargo going to Israel

On Thursday, Canada's central labour union, representing approximately 3 million workers nationwide, made a landmark decision to refuse handling weapons and military equipment intended for Israel. Canada's Labour Congress (CLC) expressed solidarity with Palestinian workers and their families, as well as all advocates for peace, justice, and respect for international law.

The union demanded that the Canadian government cease all direct and indirect transfers of arms and military equipment to Israel. However, recent investigations have revealed that the Canadian government misled the public by claiming it had halted new weapons export permits to Israel. Data compiled by an all-volunteer team from the Palestinian Youth Movement, World Beyond War, and Arms Embargo Now revealed that shipments not only continued but were expedited, sometimes through indirect routes such as the United States.

Ottawa allegedly aimed to appease an electorate dissatisfied with the Liberal Party's response to Israel's war on Gaza, without altering its unconditional support for Israel.