A pair of Palestinian-Canadian activists have filed a highly controversial lawsuit against the Canadian government, claiming Ottawa is legally responsible for both actions it took—and actions it failed to take—during the Gaza war. The case, filed in November, has drawn national attention for its sweeping accusations and its attempt to implicate Canada in Israel’s defensive military operations.

At the center of the lawsuit is the claim that Canada was “complicit” in Israel’s Gaza campaign through its export of defense equipment and its refusal to halt cooperation with the Israeli government. At a press conference outlining the suit, lawyer Dimitri Lascaris attempted to frame the case as a test of Canadian law, arguing that the government’s foreign policy decisions contributed to events on the ground in Gaza.

The plaintiffs assert that Canada bears legal liability for not stopping Israel’s military response to Hamas—a response launched after the terror group initiated deadly attacks and held Israeli civilians hostage. Critics of the lawsuit say it ignores the core reality: Israel was responding to terrorism, not provoking it, and Canada’s cooperation with its democratic ally is both lawful and essential to international security.

Observers have noted that the lawsuit stretches the boundaries of legal reasoning, effectively arguing that Canada should be held accountable for the defensive actions of another sovereign nation. Supporters of Israel have dismissed the case as politically motivated, legally unserious, and part of a broader effort to weaponize the courts against democratic allies of the Jewish state.

Despite the dramatic claims, the Canadian government has maintained that its military export policies comply with international standards and that its alliance with Israel remains firm. The lawsuit is expected to face significant legal hurdles, as it attempts to challenge long-standing principles of foreign-policy immunity and national sovereignty.

For many, the case underscores an increasingly common trend: activist lawsuits designed to delegitimize Israel by targeting any government that supports its right to defend itself. While the plaintiffs hope to spark a national debate, early reactions suggest the lawsuit may ultimately serve as yet another example of political theatrics disguised as legal action.