By Jews Say No to Genocide, April 7, 2025
Toronto, ON – A Jewish-led contingent occupied the lobby of the Global Affairs Canada building in Toronto on Friday to demand immediate action to end Israel’s genocide and for Palestinian liberation. Amid revelations of new arms contracts between Canada and Israel — despite previous government promises to halt the flow of weapons to the Israeli war machine — we are putting Mark Carney, Melanie Joly, and all of the political parties on notice: the issue of Palestine will be central to Canada’s upcoming federal election.
NOW: 100+ Jews and allies have occupied the lobby of the @GAC_Corporate office in Toronto to demand immediate action to end Israel’s genocide and for Palestinian liberation. Take action with us right now from home by making two urgent phone calls. #ArmsEmbargoNow #VotePalestine pic.twitter.com/A1gr0zATze
— World BEYOND War Canada (@WBWCanada) April 4, 2025
Since Mark Carney assumed leadership within the Liberal Party, Israel has broken ceasefires, leading to the deaths of over 1,100 Palestinians in recent weeks and more than 50,000 killed since October 2023. Jewish protesters are here to call on Canada to end its complicity in Israel’s ongoing and brutal genocide of the Palestinian people. As Jewish voters, we are demanding that political leaders act now to end Israel’s genocidal bombardment of Gaza, end support for illegal settlements and endorse the Palestine Platform, a five-point plan for justice and human rights in Palestine.
The Palestine Platform – Five Demands (www.votepalestine.ca)
- Impose a Two-Way Arms Embargo on Israel
Canada must stop supplying arms and weapons manufacturing parts to Israel. Despite promises from Melanie Joly to block arms shipments to Gaza, new contracts have emerged for artillery propellants manufactured in Quebec for Israel. - End Canadian Involvement in Illegal Israeli Settlements
Canada must halt all support for Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law. - Address Anti-Palestinian Racism and Protect Freedom of Expression on Palestine
Canada must take decisive action to eliminate anti-Palestinian racism and defend the right to protest without criminalization. - Recognize the State of Palestine
Canada must formally recognize the state of Palestine. - Properly Fund Relief Efforts in Gaza, Including UNRWA
Canada must condemn Israel’s blocking of humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza, and increase funding for humanitarian relief in Gaza through organizations like UNRWA.
Why This Matters
The protest comes amid revelations of new arms contracts for artillery propellants between a Quebec General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems factory and Israel, contradicting previous government commitments to halt such arms transfers. In September, just two weeks before this new contract was approved, Minister Joly explicitly promised that Global Affairs Canada would not “have any form of arms or parts of arms be sent to Gaza, period.” These contracts perpetuate violence and undermine Canadian commitments to human rights. As Carney assumes leadership of the Liberal Party, he must act now to meet the demands of the Palestine Platform or face continued disruption from grassroots movements demanding justice for Palestinians, throughout the federal election campaign and beyond. Meanwhile Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre has called for any steps towards an arms embargo that have been taken thus far to be cancelled.
Message to Political Leaders
Palestinian liberation is not just a moral imperative—it is an election issue that resonates with more than half of Canadians who support a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. We call on all political parties to endorse the Palestine Platform, take immediate and decisive action to end Canada’s support for Israel’s genocidal actions, and stand unequivocally for justice and human rights.
Call to Action
We will continue disrupting business as usual until Canada ends its complicity in violence against the Palestinian people.
