“We have over the last two years submitted many complaints to the Canada Revenue Agency.”
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese joined human rights organizations earlier this month to release a report that urged the Canadian government to suspend and investigate any charities found to be “aiding and abetting” Israeli war crimes in occupied Palestine.
Speakers at the November 8 press conference in Toronto explained that the report, which was jointly released by Just Peace Advocates (JPA) and Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV), highlights how charitable donations have been directed toward activities that the report argues are grounds for “immediate suspension and investigation.”
Registered charities in Canada can issue official donation receipts that qualify for charitable tax credits.
“Canada is violating its international obligations,” said Albanese at the press conference. “This is not about ethical principles, not about rhetoric. This is about binding obligations.”
“Canada is providing an opportunity for us to reflect and to move to concrete actions. These charities have to stop working from here.”
Albanese reminded attendees that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in January that it is “plausible” that Palestinians in Gaza have rights under the Genocide Convention that are at risk of being violated, including the right to “be protected from acts of genocide.”
In 1967, following the Six-Day War between Israel and neighbouring Arab countries, Israel occupied Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The ICJ ruled in July that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and must end “as rapidly as possible.”
Canadian policy, meanwhile, officially states that Canada “does not recognize permanent Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967.”
Albanese said Canada should have already suspended its relations with Israel because “the settlements constitute a war crime and a crime against humanity.”
She called on the Canadian government to impose sanctions on Israel and to intensify its efforts in pressuring Israel to halt its actions in Gaza. (more...)
Canadian Charities Aid Israeli Crimes, Report Warns
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