For immediate Release
Canada Must Defund the Terror-permeated United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
Toronto, Canada – February 20, 2025
Canada’s taxpayer dollars should not be supporting an organization that is involved in terrorism, controversial educational content, and lacks transparency.
For decades, UNRWA has been found guilty of providing cover and support to Palestinian Arab terrorists. Through its schools and summer camps, indoctrinating children to hate Israel and all Jews, it is sabotaging peace efforts. This is contrary to the UN’s own mandate to foster co-existence.
UNRWA perpetuates the conflict with Israel by keeping the descendants of those “refugees” who fled the l948 war, that was initiated against Israel by 5 Arab armies, in permanent refugee status, rather than settling them as is expected of a refugee agency. UNRWA now falsely claims there are over 5 million Palestinian Arab refugees. This belies any meaningful understanding of the word “refugee” and only Arabs can make such claim. The other 60 million refugees, served by the UN High Commission for Refugees, meet the standard by having fled a natural or man-made crisis such as a war, and are ultimately settled. UNRWA prevents the re-settlement and even claims refugee status of those who are permanent residents in other countries.
Although the Canadian government paused funding after the October 7th massacre, it resumed the scheduled payment of approximately $25 million in April 2024, with more funding promised.
Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, accused the agency of being a “terrorist organization” and promised to cut founding if he becomes Prime Minister. In January, US President Trump suspended funding. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper had cut all funding to UNRWA.
KEY REASONS CANADA MUST DEFUND UNRWA
Association with Terrorism; numerous UNRWA staff participated in the 10/7 attacks; hundreds of its staff are members of terrorist groups; Hamas built a terror tunnel directly below UNRWA headquarters in Gaza; 3,000 UNRWA teachers were in a Telegram group that celebrated October 7. The head of UNRWA’s Teachers’ Union in Lebanon, was the Hamas chief in Lebanon. This is Just a few of many more criminal activities.
UNRWA Schools’ Educational Content, all approved by the Palestinian Authority, fosters hate and violence toward Israel and Jews. Children are taught to glorify Arab Islamist Such materials, breed hostility and perpetuate the cycle of violence rather than promoting peace and coexistence.
Lack of Transparency and Accountability; UNRWA fails to provide clear financial reporting and transparency on the billions of dollars it receives.
Alternatives to UNRWA; funding can be redirected to independent and transparent organizations that focus on genuine humanitarian relief, including health care, education and infrastructure. This would better serve the needs of those who are true refugees.
Canada’s foreign aid must be spent in a way that fosters peace and stability. It is time to defund UNRWA.
Watch UNRWA at War 2024 produced by the Bedein Center for Near East Policy Research.
For further information contact:Andria Spindel, Executive Director, CAEF andria@caef.ca
Appendix
The Nahum Bedein Center for Near East Policy Research, based in Jerusalem, has translated textbooks used in UNRWA schools, and notes the terrorist training.
This study complements the movies that the Center produced on location in the UNRWA schools from 2004 to 2024.
Today, UNRWA’s curriculum is focused on the theme of the Right of Return by force of arms, which is hardly appropriate for a United Nations educational facility.
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