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Matthew Taub: Ottawa threatens sanctions on Israeli settlements without testing them legally

The sanctions rest on contested interpretations and recommendations

On Friday last week, Global Affairs Canada published an official advisory telling Canadian businesses to stay away from an entire category of lawful commerce. The document warns of “significant legal, financial and reputational risks” tied to Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and advises companies against “investments, financial transactions, procurement, purchases and tourism” connected to them. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand framed this warning as an extension of Canada’s “long-standing position” that the settlements are “illegal under international law” and “constitute a serious obstacle to a just and lasting peace.”

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This advisory threatens to sanction both Israelis abroad and Canadians.

Matthew Taub: Ottawa threatens sanctions on Israeli settlements without testing them legally Back to video

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This is a serious problem. This decision does not come from a Canadian court or statute. It was not........

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