August 18, 2024
Ms. Marie-Claude Bibeau
Minister of National Revenue and
Canada Revenue Agency
Regarding: JNF and Ne’eman Foundation Tax Exempt Status Revocation
Dear Minister Bibeau;
I am writing on behalf of the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation, a charitable organization that combats racism and antisemitism.
It has come to our attention that the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) has revoked the charitable status of the Jewish National Fund of Canada (“JNF”) as well as the Ne’eman Foundation without notice. This is most concerning.
Until recently, the original charitable object of the JNF was completely acceptable to the CRA. We are proud of this esteemed organization that was founded in 1901 to help establish a Jewish homeland and in 1905 began afforestation in the land. From 1948 until now JNF has done amazing work in planting trees, preparing the land for agriculture, opening and tending to forests and nature preserves. JNF Canada was established in 1968 to continue with forestry and environmental projects. In recent decades, JNF has constructed water reservoirs and contributed to much needed social programs and infrastructure such as rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.
The Ne’eman Foundation was founded to “relieve poverty by providing basic amenities including food, clothing and shelter to the needy and advancing and teaching religious tenets, doctrines and observances of the Jewish faith to Jews in Israel.”
We are advised that the CRA did not publicly disclose a cause for the revocation of the charitable tax-exempt status of either of these 2 Jewish charitable organizations. . The JNF was in the midst of a court challenge to this pending revocation of its tax-exempt status.
It seems contrary to CRA practice and fairness to have issued the revocation by notice without the court case having been heard.
In addition, the decision seems to be an inconsistent application of CRA policy guidelines and fairness in that it has yet to revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations such as Samidoun which has close financial ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. (“PFLP”) This is well documented. In particular, the German domestic intelligence agency suspects the Samidoun to be part of the PFLP.
CAEF asks that the CRA immediately withdraw its revocation pending the hearing of the Application by the JNF before the courts and gives the same opportunity to the Ne’eman Foundation.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully
Charles Cooke, Government Relations Representative, CAEF
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