Blair says controversial motion on arms exports doesn't change government's approach to Israel

Defence Minister Bill Blair said Thursday that despite this week's drama over a divisive House of Commons vote calling for an end to future arms exports to Israel, the Commons-approved motion doesn't change Canada's approach to the file at all. 

"We haven't changed," he told CBC's Power & Politics Thursday. "I would characterize this as a continuation of existing government policy."

Most Liberal MPs, including cabinet ministers, joined the NDP in backing a motion Monday calling for an end to new export permits for arms bound for Israel. The motion was heavily amended by the Liberals before going to a vote.

But confusion over what the motion actually does in practice has been growing in the days since — with some groups arguing it amounts to an arms embargo and others saying it simply reinforces business as usual.

While the motion is non-binding, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters that it is "clearly the intent of this government to make sure that we follow what is written in this motion." Her office also said Canada stopped approving permits for Israel on Jan. 8.

Blair said the government will respect export permits approved before that day and pause approvals going forward.

"And Global Affairs as of Jan. 8 has not issued any new permits for military equipment to Israel and will not. And they've made that clear well before this motion," he said.

Before backing the motion Monday, the government adjusted a section which originally called on the federal government to "suspend all trade in military goods and technology with Israel." The approved amendment now agrees to "cease the further authorization and transfer of arms exports to Israel."

In a statement issued after the motion passed, NDP MP Heather McPherson — who spearheaded the motion — said her party expected the "government to end all arms exports to Israel."

"There is no justification for sending arms into any conflict where there is a potential for them to be used in human rights abuses," she said.

The controversial Canadian motion originally called for the federal government to officially recognize Palestinian statehood but was amended before a late-night vote on Parliament Hill.

Israel has condemned the motion.

On Thursday, Ophir Falk, a foreign affairs adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, compared the symbolic House of Commons motion to Canada's antisemitic immigration policies prior to the Second World War. 

"We appreciate the support we've received from Canada and and we hope that continues," Falk told host David Cochrane.