The Canadian government has imposed sanctions on key figures within Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad four months after Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced Tuesday morning, four months after the attacks, that Canada was seeking to hold the terrorist groups responsible.
“Canada unequivocally condemns Hamas’s terrorist attack against Israel, its unacceptable treatment of hostages and its heinous use of sexual and gender-based violence as a tactic of war,” said Joly.
“Hamas is a terrorist organization, and they will be held accountable.”
Global Affairs Canada said in a press release the sanctions were to prevent “further attacks.”
“Canada is taking decisive action to limit Hamas’s ability to raise and use funds to carry out further attacks against Israel,” said Global Affairs Canada in its news release.
This is the first time Canada has imposed sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act against a group that is not a country.
Of the 11 listed individuals, ten are associated members or leaders with Hamas. One sanctioned individual is a military leader in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an Islamist paramilitary group.
Among those sanctioned are high-profile figures such as Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, and Muhammed Deif, a prominent military leader within the organization. The sanctions extend to a prohibition on dealings with these individuals, freezing any assets they may hold within Canada and barring them from entry to Canada..
“Good. While Hamas leaders live in luxury & safety, their fighters are putting innocent Palestinians in the line of fire,” said independent MP Kevin Vuong. “Sanctions is (sic) an important step, more must be done to bring them to justice.”
Canada has listed Hamas as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code since November 2002. It is a criminal offence to participate in or contribute to any activity by Hamas knowingly.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, and others are also listed as terrorist organizations by Canada.
Some people questioned whether the measures went far enough.
“Why aren’t there permanent economic and travel sanctions on their members and supporters, and why did it take the Liberals four months after Hamas livestreamed its antisemitic pogroms for sanctions to be imposed?” said lawyer Ryan O’Connor in a post to X.
During Joly’s short chat with reporters Tuesday morning, she also announced that Canadian Palestinian journalist Mansour Shouman—who had been missing two weeks and feared dead—is confirmed to be alive. Joly said she hoped to speak with his mother later today.
