Report Exposes Millions in Tax-Deductible Donations Supporting Illegal Israeli Settlements and Military Activities in Occupied Palestine, Calls for Immediate Suspension of Charitable Status
Toronto, ON – A new report released today by Just Peace Advocates (JPA), Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Canada and Miles Howe, PhD, reveals that millions of dollars in Canadian charitable donations have been funneled to organizations implicated in supporting illegal Israeli settlements, violent settler groups, and military activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. The report calls on the Canadian government to suspend the charitable status of these organizations, including the Mizrachi Organization of Canada, Jewish Heritage Foundation of Canada, Canada Charity Partners, the Ronnen Harary Foundation and the Heseg Foundation, pending further investigation.
The report was presented at a press conference earlier today, featuring UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who has described Israel’s actions in Palestine as “settler colonial genocide.” Albanese joined a panel of experts—including report co-author Miles Howe, Professor Anver Emon, and Palestinian-Canadian community member Khaled Mouammar—to highlight the findings and urge immediate action by the Canadian government.
The investigation reveals that Canadian charitable funds, enabled by tax benefits, have supported organizations directly involved in military operations and the expansion of illegal settlements in Palestine. This financial support implicates Canada in violations of international law and undermines the country’s stated commitment to human rights. “Canada’s failure to stop the flow of taxpayer-supported money to Israel is contrary to international law, and likely renders Canada as being complicit with war crimes and crimes against humanity,” stated Mouammar during his remarks.
Francesca Albanese’s presence adds significant weight to the report’s findings. As the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, she has been a vocal critic of Israel’s policies. Her endorsement of the report underscores the global importance of addressing the complicity of foreign governments and charitable organizations in Israeli war crimes.
“Canada is violating its international obligations. This is not about principles, this is not about rhetoric, this is about binding obligations,” said Albanese.
The report urges the Canadian government to suspend the charitable status of implicated organizations and launch investigations into their potential violations of Canadian law, specifically their complicity in war crimes. It also calls for stronger enforcement of Canadian charity law, particularly for organizations operating internationally, to ensure funds are not diverted to support activities that violate international law.
The findings of this report challenge Canada to confront its role in enabling Israeli military actions in Palestine. With Canadian charities supporting illegal settlements and military activities in the occupied territories, the report calls for urgent action to hold these organizations accountable and to prevent further abuse of the Canadian charitable system.
Watch the press conference on YouTube here or on Instagram here.
About Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV):IJV Canada is a grassroots organization grounded in Jewish tradition that advocates for justice and peace for all peoples in Palestine-Israel.
About Just Peace Advocates:Just Peace Advocates is a Canadian based independent human rights organization promoting Just Peace through the rule of law and respect for human rights in Canada and around the world for the Palestinian people and those that stand in solidarity for the human rights of the Palestinian people.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Karen Rodman, Just Peace AdvocatesEmail: info@justpeaceadvocates.ca
Iso Setel, Independent Jewish VoicesEmail: communications@ijvcanada.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2024
United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese joins civil society groups to present report on Canadian charities funding Israeli war crimes.
The report reveals that millions in tax-deductible donations support illegal Israeli settlements and military activities in occupied Palestine, and calls for the immediate suspension of their charitable status.
Toronto, ON – A new report released today by Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Canada, Just Peace Advocates and Miles Howe, PhD, reveals that millions of dollars in Canadian charitable donations have been funneled to organizations involved in supporting illegal Israeli settlements, violent settler groups and military activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. The report calls on the Canadian government to suspend the charitable status of these organizations, including the Mizrachi Organization of Canada, the Jewish Heritage Foundation of Canada, Canada Charity Partners, the Ronnen Harary Foundation and the Heseg Foundation, pending further investigation.
The report was presented at a press conference today, attended by United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who called Israel’s actions in Palestine “colonial genocide.” Ms. Albanese joined a panel of experts—including report co-author Miles Howe, Professor Anver Emon, and Palestinian-Canadian Khaled Mouammar—to highlight the report’s findings and urge the Canadian government to take immediate action.
The investigation reveals that Canadian charitable funds, benefiting from tax advantages, have supported organizations directly involved in military operations and the expansion of illegal settlements in Palestine. This financial support implicates Canada in violations of international law and undermines the country’s stated commitment to human rights. ” Canada’s failure to end the flow of taxpayers’ money to Israel is contrary to international law and likely makes Canada complicit in war crimes and crimes against humanity ,” Mr. Mouammar said during his intervention.
The presence of Francesca Albanese adds significant weight to the report’s findings. As the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, she has been a vocal critic of Israel’s policies. Her support for the report underscores the global importance of combating the complicity of foreign governments and charities in Israeli war crimes.
” Canada is in breach of its international obligations. This is not about principles, this is not about rhetoric, this is about binding obligations,” Albanese said.
The report urges the Canadian government to suspend the charitable status of the organizations involved and launch investigations into their potential violations of Canadian law, particularly their complicity in war crimes. It also calls for stricter enforcement of Canadian charitable legislation, particularly for organizations operating internationally, to ensure that funds are not diverted to support activities that violate international law.
The findings of this report confront Canada with its role in facilitating Israeli military actions in Palestine. With Canadian charities supporting illegal settlements and military activities in the occupied territories, the report calls for urgent action to hold these organizations accountable and to prevent further abuses of the Canadian charitable system.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
- Iso Setel, Independent Jewish Voices Canada, communications@ijvcanada.org ,
- Karen Rodman, Just Peace Movement, info@justpeaceadvocates.ca
