Close X
Sunday, November 10, 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

Marine LNG jetty project in Delta, B.C., gets environmental assessment certificate

Marine LNG jetty project in Delta, B.C., gets environmental assessment certificate
British Columbia's Environment Ministry says a marine jetty project in the city of Delta to facilitate liquefied natural gas exports has been issued an environmental assessment certificate. Environment Minister George Heyman and Transportation Minister Rob Fleming say they issued the approval after "carefully considering" the assessment of the project. 

Marine LNG jetty project in Delta, B.C., gets environmental assessment certificate

Arson in North Vancouver

Arson in North Vancouver
Police in North Vancouver say there were a pair of suspicious fires yesterday afternoon in the district's Norgate area.  North Vancouver Mounties say both fires happened in the 13-hundred-block of Sowden Street before 3 p-m, where fire crews found hedges on fire in front of two homes on the block. 

Arson in North Vancouver

Protection fund, bill of rights for renters coming; 'renters matter,' Trudeau says

Protection fund, bill of rights for renters coming; 'renters matter,' Trudeau says
The federal government wants to support those who rent their homes with a protection fund, a bill of rights and a plan to give reliable renters credit when they step up to buy a home. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there's something fundamentally unfair about paying $2,000 a month for rent, while those paying the same for a mortgage get equity and build their credit score. 

Protection fund, bill of rights for renters coming; 'renters matter,' Trudeau says

Measles cases in Canada are increasing, Canada's chief public health officer warns

Measles cases in Canada are increasing, Canada's chief public health officer warns
Canada's chief public health officer says the number of measles cases in the country continues to rise. Dr. Theresa Tam says in a statement the Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 40 measles cases in Canada so far this year. 

Measles cases in Canada are increasing, Canada's chief public health officer warns

Jewelry theft at South Surrey mall

Jewelry theft at South Surrey mall
Police say they are investigating a break in and theft of jewelry from South Surrey mall. The R-C-M-P say officers responded to a report of a break-in at the shopping centre just after 4 A-M on Monday.   

Jewelry theft at South Surrey mall

Late night shooting in Cloverdale

Late night shooting in Cloverdale
Mounties in Surrey are looking looking for witnesses to a late night shooting in Cloverdale. They say officers responded to a report of shots fired around 10:45 P-M yesterday to find a man suffering from a gunshot wound. 

Late night shooting in Cloverdale