Canada to revoke charitable status of Jewish National Fund
The Canada Revenue Agency is revoking the charitable status of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) of Canada, according to Just Peace Advocates, a human rights group working for Palestinian rights.
The reason given is its “support for military infrastructure in Israel” despite CRA charity guidelines stating clearly that “supporting the armed forces of another country is not” charitable.
“While the Canada Revenue Agency has been too slow in applying its rules towards the Jewish National Fund of Canada, the CRA should be applauded for finally taking action against this powerful organisation,” said Karen Rodman of Just Peace Advocates.
The Jewish National Fund of Canada is one of many Israel-focused charities that have violated revenue agency rules.
Over the past 18 months, detailed complaints have been submitted to the agency asking it to investigate a dozen other Israel-focused charities.
UNRWA needs ‘political and financial support more than ever’
UNRWA needs “financial and political support now more than ever”, deputy UNRWA commissioner-general has told the United Nations in a briefing to the Security Council.
“UNRWA must continue to provide services until a political solution is at hand,” Antonia Marie De Meo said.
“This solution must also bring an end to the plight of Palestinian refugees,” she added.
The session was called for by Russia, China and Algeria to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
UNRWA briefing to highlight Gaza plight after Netanyahu’s US Congress address
A briefing by UNRWA is under way at the UN Security Council. Member of the council wanted to highlight the humanitarian situation in Gaza and it’s perhaps no coincidence that Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu is in the US at this time.
Russia, China and Algeria – with Russia holding the presidency of the UNSC at this time – called for this meeting after Netanyahu’s speech to the US Congress.
We heard from UNRWA representatives the latest on the dire situation for the people of Gaza, including people’s inability to satisfy their basic needs due to the continued displacement, insecurity and lawlessness.
UN official says Gaza humanitarian delivery system regressing ‘decades back’
Georgios Petropoulos, the head of the Gaza operation for the UN humanitarian affairs office, says the delivery of humanitarian aid in the Palestinian enclave has steadily deteriorated as the war drags on.
He told Al Jazeera that many roads have been destroyed, making it difficult for people to walk and for trucks or even donkey carts to transport supplies.
“We’re at the point where logistics specialists have gone from talking about fuel and trucks to talking about fodder and donkeys. We’re regressing decades back [in terms of] the systems that we have to use to support the people in Gaza,” he said.
Petropoulos added that the UN knows “how to aid people who are in a tragic war. We must be allowed to do so.”
“We have to have an effective supply of aid, effective supply of aid workers. We have to have a health system that works. We have to have communications, and we have to have absolute protection of civilians on all sides of this conflict.”
Palestinians inspect a heavily damaged area after an Israeli attack in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on July 25
