A recent report by a coalition of four non-governmental organizations (NGOs) alleges that numerous shipments containing explosives and parts for fighter jets have been transported from Canada to Israel through the United States over the past two years. The report reveals that these exports circumvent Canadian export regulations by passing through the U.S. before reaching Israel, potentially aiding Israeli military operations in Gaza.
According to the report, there were 34 shipments of military aircraft components sent between April 2024 and August of this year to U.S. facilities owned by Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 fighter jet, before being forwarded to Israel shortly thereafter. Additionally, the report highlights 360 aircraft part shipments to an F-35 assembly plant in Texas, 150 explosive shipments from Quebec to the U.S., and 433 TNT shipments from Poland through Quebec’s Port of Saguenay to Israel.
The activists who compiled the report utilized export data and U.S. Department of Defense contracts to track the movement of Canadian-made goods to American facilities and then to Israeli military manufacturers. While the exact use of the shipments by Israeli military facilities remains unconfirmed, the report emphasizes the necessity of ongoing maintenance for modern fighter jets like the F-35.
The report also mentions specific Canadian companies involved in the shipments, such as Honeywell Aerospace in Mississauga and Héroux-Devtek in Laval, which sent aircraft parts to Israel via U.S. facilities. Moreover, the report raises concerns about the transfer of explosives from Quebec to U.S. army plants producing weaponry for export to Israel, including bombs and artillery shells.
The four NGOs are urging the Canadian government to cease all arms and military component exports to Israel, both directly and indirectly through the U.S. loophole. They presented their findings at a news conference and were joined by opposition NDP MP Jenny Kwan, who has introduced a bill seeking to eliminate U.S. exemptions for arms control permits. The bill is scheduled for debate in the House of Commons, with growing support from MPs across party lines.
CBC News reached out to the companies involved, including Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and Nitro-Chem, for comments. Lockheed Martin redirected inquiries to the Canadian and U.S. governments, while Nitro-Chem declined to provide details on their contracts due to the sensitive nature of their operations and compliance with international regulations.