CIJA Strongly Condemns Canada’s Sanctions on Israel
OTTAWA, ON — September 8, 2026— The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) strongly condemns the Government of Canada’s decision to sign a joint statement announcing restrictions on trade in goods targeting Israeli neighbourhoods and communities.
Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement:
“We strongly condemn the Government of Canada’s announcement of new sanctions on Israel.
“Rather than pursue an independent foreign policy grounded in Canada’s strategic interests and its stated approach of not ‘lecturing countries from afar,’ the government has chosen to follow the United Kingdom’s lead, in a move reportedly driven by domestic political considerations to appease the most extreme elements of society.
"As Jewish Canadians prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, including by increasing security at synagogues, the government’s announcement reinforces a troubling double standard toward Israel that not only impacts the Middle East but has real consequences here at home. The UK government drew a link between today's joint statement and the domestic security situation facing Jews, highlighting its investment of an additional£250 million (nearly $500 million CAD) for Jewish community security. Sanctions will also negatively impact Canadian workers and employers by adding to instability with key trade partners at this precarious time.”
“These sanctions fail to advance peace or security for Israelis and Palestinians. They interfere in Israel’s democratic election just weeks before Israelis vote, a warning voiced by Israeli President Isaac Herzog. They make diplomacy harder and do nothing to press the Palestinian Authority to fulfill the commitments it made to Prime Minister Carney, including to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state.
“Canada should be using its influence to advance peace, strengthen the economy and confront hatred at home — not imposing punitive measures in the midst of another country’s democratic election that will achieve the opposite.”
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