Human rights advocates in Canada are calling on authorities to block representatives of two major Israeli weapons manufacturers from attending a defense exhibition in Ottawa next week.
The groups said they have filed a legal complaint with the Canada Border Services Agency to deny entry to representatives of Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries ahead of the CANSEC arms fair on May 27 and 28.
The Canadian Center for International Justice for Palestinians said the companies have supplied military technology and weapons allegedly used by Israeli forces in Gaza.
“Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries are among the major defense contractors supplying military technologies, drones, weapons systems and surveillance equipment used by Israeli forces during the attacks in Gaza,” the organization said in a statement.
ICJP Canada said, “Allowing representatives of these companies to participate in Canada’s largest arms and defense exhibition risks undermining Canada’s obligations under domestic and international law.”
Last year, Amnesty International identified two of the companies as allegedly “contributing to Israel’s unlawful occupation, genocide or other crimes under international law”.
The CANSEC event, held annually in Ottawa, is one of the largest defense and security trade shows in North America.
Canadian officials have not yet responded publicly to the complaint.
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