For Rachel Small, an organizer with World Beyond War Canada (WBW), GAC’s unclear messaging is likely intentional.

“Global Affairs Canada right now is certainly doing its best to avoid speaking about the Canada-Israel arms trade,” Small told The Maple. “The Canadian government is doing its best to appease people across the country who are demanding accountability, while refusing to reveal any actual information about the export of weapons.”

Small noted that the confusion has been compounded by some Liberal MPs who are reportedly telling their constituents that Canada is not arming Israel, possibly due to a misunderstanding of the difference between direct transfers from the Canadian military and exports by private companies to the Israeli military.

“It’s unclear to me if they’re seeking to deliberately mislead the public or whether there’s rampant misinformation within the Liberal Party itself,” she explained.