Human rights and Palestinian advocates in Canada filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Tuesday, seeking to halt the issuance of permits for companies to export military goods and technology to Israel.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court, claims that Canadian laws prohibit military exports to Israel due to a "significant risk" that they could be used to violate international law, including committing severe acts of violence against women and children, according to a statement from the plaintiffs.
Israel has been conducting a ground and aerial assault on the Gaza Strip for about five months, resulting in over 30,000 Palestinian deaths.
The plaintiffs stated that since then, Ottawa has issued new military export permits to Israel worth at least 28.5 million Canadian dollars ($21.0 million), exceeding the total value of permits issued in the previous year.
Among those who filed the lawsuit are the organization Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights, the Palestinian rights group Al-Haq, and four individuals.
The Israeli military campaign has sparked regular pro-Palestinian protests in major Canadian cities.
Last week, demonstrators gathered at a Colt Canada weapon manufacturing facility in Ontario.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has repeatedly stated that Israel has the right to defend itself following a Hamas attack in October, but senior officials have called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the conflict.
Follow the latest news on Google News
