Canadian Government Sued Over Resuming UNRWA Funding

A truck marked with a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) logo crosses into Egypt from Gaza at the Rafah border crossing during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, on Nov. 27, 2023. Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

Canadian families who have links to victims of the terrorist group Hamas have taken legal action against the Canadian federal government for resuming funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which has members accused of taking part in the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel.

The families launched the application for judicial review of Canada’s decision alongside the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) on April 4, stating in a press release that they believe it violates Canadian law for the federal government to fund the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), saying that the organisation cannot fulfill the requirements of handing out humanitarian aid.

“Additionally, given UNRWA’s well-documented links to Hamas, a terrorist organization under Canadian law, by resuming Canadian funding to UNRWA, the government is in violation of its own anti-terrorism legislation,” the release states.

Those listed on the lawsuit are Dikla Mizrachi, the mother of Ben Mizrachi who was killed at the Novas Music festival on Oct. 7; Iris Lianiado, whose parents Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai were both murdered by Hamas and had their bodies taken; and Rachel Ohnona, whose daughter Adi Vital-Kaploun was also killed on Oct. 7.

“Our families are appalled and sickened by the decision of the Canadian government to reinstate funding to UNRWA given its ties and support of the terrorism that took our loved ones’ lives,” the family members of the victims said in a joint statement.

Around a dozen UNRWA employees were accused of directly aiding Hamas during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, leading to Canada temporarily halting funding to the organisation in January as Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen said the government would be investigating the claims.

Around $40 million in funding was then redirected to other organisations to help spread humanitarian aid to civilians on the ground in Gaza.

Last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would not reply to questions on whether the federal government would resume funding for UNRWA, but just days later, Global Affairs Canada stated that funding would resume to UNRWA after the federal government had completed its investigation into the organisation.

Despite the government suspending the funds, UNRWA still received scheduled payments from Global Affairs Canada.

“By providing certainty that Canada’s planned contribution will proceed, this will help prevent the imminent collapse of this essential organization,” the department said.

In their lawsuit, the CIJA and the families of the victims of Hamas state that UNRWA teachers “have been using textbooks to teach Palestinian children to hate and kill Jews,” and that Hamas tunnels have been located underneath UNRWA schools on multiple occasions.

The lawsuit also alleges that UNRWA institutions have been used as rocket launch sites and weapons arsenals, and their computer servers have been used by the terrorist group.

Richard Marceau, vice president and external affairs and general counsel for CIJA, commented on the lawsuit, saying, “Canadian money given to UNRWA will only help Hamas continue attacking Jews and other Israelis.”

Mr. Marceau added that humanitarian funding should go to “other credible and qualified organizations,” listing the Canadian International Development Agency, the World Food Programme, and the United Nations Office for Project Services as more suitable candidates for Canadian money.