Open Letter From Elected Officials in Saskatchewan

Calling for an End to the Canada-Israel Arms Trade

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.

Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

As Israel’s catastrophic assault on Gaza continues in defiance of the International Court of

Justice's ruling that it must halt is military offensive in Rafah, a growing movement of civil
society organizations and elected officials across Canada are calling on the Canadian
government to immediately suspend all trade in arms and military technology with Israel.

In light of Israel’s failure to comply with both the binding measures ordered by the
International Court of Justice and the UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire,
this embargo is critical to upholding Canada’s legal obligations as a UN member state. UN
experts have warned that sending Israel weapons, ammunition or components likely violates
international humanitarian law, and the United Nations Human Rights Council has called on
all states to immediately “cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other
military equipment to Israel.”

As elected officials, we, the undersigned, believe that Canada must urgently impose a
comprehensive two-way arms embargo that includes:

1. An end to the transfer of arms already approved for export

2. Closing the loophole that allows Canada to send weapons to Israel via the U.S.
3. Stopping the purchase of weapons from Israel

This embargo must remain in place until Israel fully complies with the precepts of
international law by ending the occupation of Palestinian land; recognizing the fundamental
rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and recognizing the rights of
Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties.
We urge your government to intensify its efforts to secure a lasting peace for all people in the
region by addressing the underlying causes of the current violence and ensuring the
adherence of all parties to international human rights and humanitarian law.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Shanon Zachidniak, Regina City Councillor, Ward 8

Dan LeBlanc, Regina City Councillor, Ward 6
Andrew Stevens, Regina City Councillor, Ward 3
Cheryl Stadnichuk, Regina City Councillor, Ward 1
Mairin Loewen, Saskatoon City Councillor, Ward 7
Hilary Gough, Saskatoon City Councillor, Ward 2
David Kirton, Saskatoon City Councillor, Ward 3
Terra Lennox-Zepp, Prince Albert City Councillor, Ward 2
Tony Head, Prince Albert City Councillor, Ward 3
Meara Conway, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Regina Elphinstone-Centre
Nicole Sarauer, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Regina Douglas Park
Noor Burki, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Regina Coronation Park
Jennifer Bowes, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Saskatoon University
Matt Love, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Saskatoon Eastview
Jared Clarke, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Regina Walsh Acres
Nathaniel Teed, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Saskatoon Meewasin
Sarah Cummings Truszkowski, Regina Public School Board Trustee
Ted Jaleta, Regina Public School Board Trustee
Tara Molson, Regina Public School Board Trustee
cc: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada cc: Members of Parliament, Saskatchewan