Several candidates in Guelph and Wellington–Halton Hills have signed full endorsements for the national platform, which lists several demands including a two-way arms embargo on Israel Several candidates in the upcoming federal election are showing their support for Palestine by endorsing the Palestine Platform. It says it is a grassroots, non-partisan campaign meant to highlight the stance candidates are taking on demands for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, ending Canadian support for settlements, combatting anti-Palestinian racism, recognizing the state of Palestine and funding Gaza relief efforts. Over 100 Green, Liberal and NDP candidates across Ontario have signed since the website launched, with party leaders Jagmeet Singh and Elizabeth May among them. In Guelph, Janice Folk-Dawson and Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik have signed full endorsements of the platform. In the Wellington–Halton Hills riding, which now encompasses south Guelph, Andrew Bascombe, Sean Carscadden and Liam Stiles have signed. “We are so glad to see that the majority of candidates from the four major parties in our two ridings have signed on,” said Ameena Mahmood of Guelph for Palestine. Mahmood said the platform outlines unified demands from the Palestinian community and people across the country who consider Canada’s position on Palestine to be an important election topic. It’s “grounded by Canada’s obligations under international law, as enshrined in domestic laws and policies,” she said. Constituents can use the platform to evaluate the candidates in their riding when deciding on who to vote for, she said, while candidates can use it to understand voter expectations. Mahmood said one of the major concerns is that Canada has over 100 active export permits to Israel for military goods. “While there are no new permits being issued, the government only cancelled 30 permits after voting for the non-binding embargo which account for only 12 per cent of the permits that were in place,” she said. She added that Canadian NGO Project Ploughshares estimates $120 million worth of Canadian technology has been supplied to produce F-35 fighter jets “specifically destined for use by the Israeli military.” “Just this month, Canada approved a $78.8M CAD contract for the export of artillery propellants to the US, which will be, at least in part, exported to Israel,” she said, again citing Project Ploughshares. Mahmood said it’s essential for candidates to take a clear stance on the conflict, as “community members have lost family members and friends.” Rabbi Raphi Steiner of the Chabad of Guelph did not respond to a request for comment.