Arms Exports

Arrest of Palestinian solidarity activists in Ottawa raises concerns about repression of protests against weapons companies

The Ottawa Citizen reports: “Ottawa police have arrested four pro-Palestinian protesters for allegedly blocking a downtown street during a demonstration on [the evening of Monday November 18].” The article quotes Sarah Abdul-Karim, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, who said: “We didn’t do anything different from what we do Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Does DEFSEC Atlantic have human rights obligations following the ICJ ruling on plausible genocide?

Photo: Protest against DEFSEC Atlantic 2023. The Canadian Defence Security & Aerospace Exhibition Atlantic, or DEFSEC Atlantic, will take place this coming October 1-3 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. DEFSEC Atlantic says: “[It is] now the second largest event of its kind in Canada.” In 2023, it had 168 exhibiting organizations, Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Canada and CFSC (Quakers) hold webinar on Canadian arms exports to Israel and the call for an arms embargo

On September 18, the Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers) and PBI-Canada jointly organized a webinar, moderated by Sandra Wiens, to coincide with the six-month anniversary of the House of Commons vote (on March 18, 2024) to “cease the further authorization and transfer of arms exports to Israel.” To watch the Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Thousands protest Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin and other weapons companies at Land Forces in Melbourne, Australia

Photo: The protest at Land Forces expo in Melbourne. Photo by Aveline Cayir. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports: “Thousands of protesters gathered outside Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), where the biennial Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition is being held.” The Land Forces expo is being held September Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Join us on September 18 to examine the issue of Canadian weapons and weapon components being used in Gaza

Photo: A protest in downtown Ottawa on the evening of September 10 calling for a full arms embargo now. Photo by Brent Patterson. Yesterday, Tuesday September 10, Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly said: “Our goal is to ensure that there are no Canadian weapons or weapon components sent to Gaza.” Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Webinar: Six months after the House of Commons vote, what is the status of Canadian arms exports to Israel?

Photo: Noam Perry and Kelsey Gallagher will be speaking on Canada continuing to export arms to Israel. Register here. The Canadian Friends Service Committee and Peace Brigades International-Canada invite you to attend a webinar on the export of Canadian military goods to Israel on Wednesday September 18 at 2:30 pm Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago