Canadian rights group welcomes planned ban on trade with Israeli settlements

OTTAWA (MNTV) — A Canadian rights group has welcomed Ottawa’s plan to restrict trade with illegal Israeli settlements, calling the move an important step toward aligning the country’s trade policy with international law.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) said that it would push the government to ensure the measures go beyond imported goods and also cover services, investments and property linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

“This is a victory for the Palestine solidarity movement and everyone who wants Canadian trade policy to uphold human rights and international law,” CJPME President Yara Shoufani said.

She said Canada had for years enabled trade with businesses operating in Israeli settlements, including through the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement.

Shoufani said the proposed restrictions would mark the first time Israel faces “material, economic consequences” from Canada over its violations of international law.

Canada announced the proposed measures alongside 11 European countries as international pressure grows over Israel’s continued expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The joint statement welcomed measures already taken by Ireland, Spain and Norway against settlement trade and pledged national action targeting goods originating from Israeli settlements.

CJPME urged Ottawa to adopt broader measures covering what it described as Israel’s entire illegal settlement enterprise.

Shoufani said Canada had an opportunity to take a stronger international role as settlement expansion and settler violence intensify across the occupied West Bank.

The Montreal-based organization also said it plans to release a report this week examining Canadian trade with Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.