Suggested Questions about the Palestine Platform

The Palestine Platform contains five key demands that have been endorsed by every major Palestine solidarity group in the country, along with a growing list of allies.

1. Impose a Two-Way Arms Embargo on Israel

The Canadian government issues permits for the export of weapons (including parts and components) as well as military and security technology to Israel, both directly and via the United States. The Canadian military and defence industry also purchases Israeli weapons and parts, many of which are “field-tested” on Palestinians, thus directly funding Israel’s war efforts and economy. These military imports and exports make Canada complicit in Israel’s atrocities carried out in the illegally occupied Palestinian territory. The Canadian government must impose a full and immediate two-way arms embargo on Israel that includes ending military trade with Israel through the US or any other third party state.

You can read more about Canada’s legal obligations and the campaign for a two-way arms embargo against Israel here.

Suggested questions:

• Will you work to end Israeli genocide by supporting a comprehensive two-way arms embargo on Israel?

• How will you address Canada's indirect arms exports to Israel via third-party countries like the United States?

• Every major international human rights organization has termed Israel’s actions a genocide - will you commit Canada to stop buying and selling of weapons from Israel? 

2. End Canadian Involvement in Illegal Israeli Settlements

While Canadian foreign policy formally recognizes Israeli settlements are in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, making them war crimes, Canada has failed to take substantive measures against Israel’s ongoing violations of international law and theft of Palestinian land. The Canadian government can take immediate measures to end its complicity in these crimes such as: banning all engagement with illegal Israeli settlements, including financial investments, trade in goods or services, and cultural and academic exchanges; revoking the charitable status of Canadian charities found to support Israeli settlements; and prohibiting the ownership, sale, or rental of properties located in illegal Israeli settlements by anyone in Canada.

Suggested Questions:

• The International Court of Justice found Israel was committing an illegal occupation and apartheid against the Palestinians. Will you commit to ending trade with illegal settlements?

• Do you support revising the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement to exclude products originating from illegal Israeli settlements?

• Will you advocate for revoking charitable status from Canadian organizations that financially support these settlements?

3. Address Anti-Palestinian Racism and Protect Freedom of Expression on Palestine

Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy recognizes that Palestinians in Canada face unprecedented levels of hate.  Nonetheless, those speaking out against Israel’s illegal occupation and genocide are being targetted by police and facing malicious prosecutions; denounced in parliament; are subjected to disciplinary measures by employers; and are silenced by public institutions like universities. The Canadian government can stop perpetuating anti-Palestinian racism and meet its commitments to fighting systemic racism in Canada by fully recognizing anti-Palestinian racism in Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy and protecting the free expression and civil rights of those engaging in various forms of protest, including Boycotts, Divestments, Sanctions (BDS) in support of Palestinian rights. You can read more about anti-Palestinian racism here.

Suggested Questions:

• Will you work to include anti-Palestinian racism in Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy?

• How will you protect the rights of Canadians to engage in peaceful advocacy for Palestinian rights without fear of repercussions?

4. Recognize the State of Palestine

The state of Palestine is currently recognized by more than three quarters of UN member states, including Ireland, Spain, and Norway. Although recognition of Palestinian statehood by Canada would be largely symbolic, it would serve to add diplomatic pressure on Israel to end its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. Canada must support the Palestinian people’s enshrined right to self determination within international law.

Suggested Questions:

• Do you support Canada joining the majority of UN member states in recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state?

• Do you support the self-determination of the Palestinian people? 

5. Properly Fund Relief Efforts in Gaza, Including UNRWA

Since October 2023, Israel has destroyed more than 85% of Gaza’s infrastructure including homes, hospitals, and schools, leaving the Gaza Strip in ruins. Canada must play a substantial role in the relief efforts to help rebuild Gaza, especially in light of rising threats to defund critical aid organizations. This includes properly funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which has been a lifeline for Palestinian refugees in the occupied territory and throughout the region, yet has lost millions in funding due to the U.S. government’s withdrawal of support. By ensuring adequate funding for relief efforts, including UNRWA, Canada would fulfill its responsibility to the international community.

Suggested Questions:

• Will you commit to increasing Canada's funding to UNRWA to ensure essential services for Palestinian refugees continue?

• Israel has stopped food from entering into Gaza since March 2nd - will you commit to opposing the genocide and fulling funding humanitarian efforts including UNRWA?