Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Freeze Cdn funding for UNRWA: Israel advocates

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Apr, 2024 05:12 PM
  • Freeze Cdn funding for UNRWA: Israel advocates

Israel advocates are asking the Federal Court to reverse Ottawa's decision to continue funding the main United Nations agency supporting Palestinians.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is joining Canadians whose relatives were killed in the Hamas attack last October in asking Ottawa to stop funding UNRWA.

A notice of application argues that allegations UNRWA staff took part in the October Hamas attack means that the agency falls short of Canada's law on foreign aid, which requires it be provided "in a manner that is consistent with Canadian values."

Canada suspended aid to UNRWA in January when the agency declared it was investigating whether some of its staff took part in the attack; Washington has said 12 staff members are being investigated.

The Liberals restored the funding in March, citing the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suspension of all staff under investigation.

CIJA says it's unreasonable to restore funding until that investigation concludes.

The application also cites Israel's argument that UNRWA has collaborated with Hamas in recent years, which the agency rejects, and it says Canadian funds are illegally benefiting a terrorist organization.

Lawrence Greenspon brought the application, and says the government can fund humanitarian relief for Palestinians through other agencies.

"Turn the tap back on, but use a different water fountain," he said in an interview.

UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, is separate from the UN agency serving refugees worldwide, and has long faced criticism from Jewish groups and the Conservatives.

They point to social-media statements by the agency’s staff that they argue don't uphold neutrality. Israel has accused hundreds of staff of being members of Hamas in documents that have not been shared publicly.

The Harper government cut off Canadian funding for UNRWA in 2010 amid allegations it was too closely tied to Hamas.

Advocates for UNRWA say it's the best agency for effectively distributing aid in Gaza, and it maintains the designation of refugee for Palestinians who were displaced by the founding of Israel and their descendants.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly praised UNRWA last November for providing the essentials of life in Gaza, noting it’s "the only organization able to concretely do this."

The United Nations says the recent Gaza conflict has killed more than 175 of its aid workers, the most aid workers killed in any conflict in UN history.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

$15 million to combat car thefts: Feds

$15 million to combat car thefts: Feds
The federal government is committing an additional $15 million over three years to fight the rise in vehicle thefts across the country. Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc made the announcement today in Montreal.

$15 million to combat car thefts: Feds

Man arrested for robbing blind, homeless man in Vancouver, police say

Man arrested for robbing blind, homeless man in Vancouver, police say
Police in Vancouver say a 37-year-old man has been charged over accusations he robbed a blind, homeless man of his cane earlier this week. They say the victim is a 40-year-old newcomer to Canada who is legally blind and has been sleeping in shelters for the past few weeks.

Man arrested for robbing blind, homeless man in Vancouver, police say

No cuts to people or services, but B.C. budget deficit to rise, finance minister says

No cuts to people or services, but B.C. budget deficit to rise, finance minister says
British Columbia Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says the budget she tables on Thursday will protect services and won't  raise taxes for ordinary residents, but she also forecasts an increased deficit because "it's the right thing to do."  The minister says the time is not right for the NDP government to bring cuts when most people are facing rising costs for housing, food and other daily staples.

No cuts to people or services, but B.C. budget deficit to rise, finance minister says

More humanitarian aid needed for Gaza, minister says during Egypt border visit

More humanitarian aid needed for Gaza, minister says during Egypt border visit
The flow of humanitarian aid shipments for Palestinians in Gaza is at its lowest ebb since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Canada's international development minister said following a visit to the Egyptian border.  

More humanitarian aid needed for Gaza, minister says during Egypt border visit

Poilievre against transgender women in female bathrooms, changing rooms, sports

Poilievre against transgender women in female bathrooms, changing rooms, sports
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he believes "biological males" have no place in sports or change rooms that are labelled female. Poilievre was asked at a news conference Wednesday about his position on whether transgender women should be allowed in spaces that are labelled for women and whether he would introduce any legislation to stop it.

Poilievre against transgender women in female bathrooms, changing rooms, sports

All oil and gas permits in B.C. waters are relinquished, say feds Victoria

All oil and gas permits in B.C. waters are relinquished, say feds Victoria
The federal government says the final offshore oil and gas permits for Canada's west coast region have been relinquished. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is speaking in Victoria today and expected to announce the relinquishment of the last permits in British Columbia waters.

All oil and gas permits in B.C. waters are relinquished, say feds Victoria