Blair says controversial motion on arms exports doesn’t change government’s approach to Israel [Video]

Defence Minister Bill Blair said Thursday that despite this week’s drama over a divisive House of Commons vote calling for an end to future arms exports to Israel, the Commons-approved motion doesn’t change Canada’s approach to the file at all. 

“We haven’t changed,” he told CBC’s Power & Politics Thursday. “I would characterize this as a continuation of existing government policy.”

Most Liberal MPs, including cabinet ministers, joined the NDP in backing a motion Monday calling for an end to new export permits for arms bound for Israel. The motion was heavily amended by the Liberals before going to a vote.

But confusion over what the motion actually does in practice has been growing in the days since — with some groups arguing it amounts to an arms embargo and others saying it simply reinforces business as usual.

While the motion is non-binding, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters that it is “clearly the intent of this government …