Canadian Families Challenge UNRWA Funding Resumption Over Terrorism Ties

Canadian Families Challenge UNRWA Funding Resumption Over Terrorism Ties

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a bold legal move, Canadian families who tragically lost loved ones in the Hamas led October 7 massacre, alongside the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), have taken a significant step by filing a request for judicial review in Canada’s federal court, as was recently reported in the Jerusalem Post. This action comes as a response to Canada’s decision to resume funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) earlier in March, as disclosed in a report released by the CIJA on Thursday.

The families’ petition contends that the decision to reinstate funding to UNRWA violates Canadian law, emphasizing the organization’s purported ties to Hamas terrorism and its unethical allocation of funds. The JPost report explained that under Canadian law, funding is to be allocated only to organizations that uphold Canadian values and international human rights standards. However, the families argue that UNRWA’s documented connections to Hamas render it ineligible for Canadian funding.

One of the key points raised in the application is the testimonies of released hostages who claimed to have been held in the houses of UNRWA workers and teachers in Gaza after being kidnapped from Israel,  as per the information provided in the JPost report. These claims underscore the families’ assertion that UNRWA’s facilities and personnel have been implicated in acts contrary to Canadian values and international humanitarian principles.

The petitioners, including Dikla Mizrahi, Iris Liniado, Jacqui Vital, and Raquel Ohnona, who have lost beloved family members, have voiced their deep dismay over the Canadian government’s decision. The report in the JPost indicated that in a joint statement, they expressed their profound shock and disgust at the reinstatement of funding to UNRWA, given its direct involvement in the Hamas massacre that claimed the lives of their loved ones.

The legal proceedings are being spearheaded by members of the CIJA’s legal task force, with Canadian human rights lawyer Lawrence Greenspon and co-counsel Jillian Siskind leading the charge, the JPost reported. As per Canadian federal court rules, the legal team has a 30-day window to submit their application, during which they are expected to meticulously present evidence and arguments supporting their case.

This legal challenge underscores the broader implications of Canada’s decision to resume funding for UNRWA and brings to light the complex intersection of humanitarian aid, international relations, and counterterrorism efforts. The outcome of this judicial review will not only have significant ramifications for Canadian policy but also potentially influence global perceptions and approaches towards organizations implicated in terrorist activities.

The CIJA and the affected families are committed to pursuing justice and accountability through legal channels, seeking to uphold Canadian values and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not inadvertently supporting entities linked to Hamas terrorism. This landmark case reflects the determination of individuals and organizations to hold governments accountable for their actions and underscores the vital role of the judiciary in safeguarding the principles of justice and human rights.