Poilievre Labels UNRWA as a ‘Terrorist’ Entity as Canada Halts Funding Amid Allegations
Canada and the United States are among the nations that have temporarily halted funding to the aid organization.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has accused UNRWA, the United Nations relief and works agency, of being a “terrorist” organization and vowed to reduce its funding if elected prime minister.
Last week, Israel alleged that some UNRWA staff members participated in the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas-led militants in southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths. Palestinian health officials report about 26,000 casualties in Gaza since then due to Israeli attacks.
UNRWA stated it’s investigating the allegations and has dismissed several employees.
Canada’s international development minister, Ahmed Hussen, expressed concern over the allegations and announced Canada’s funding pause for the organization in a statement released Friday.
Canada joins several countries, including the U.S., Britain, and Germany, in halting funding to UNRWA.
UNRWA serves as a vital aid provider in Gaza, offering essential supplies like food, water, and shelter. Additionally, it facilitates crucial coordination among various agencies and organizations. Humanitarian groups and aid agencies fear that a funding pause could worsen the already severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Following the news and ensuing political ramifications in Canada, Poilievre responded on Sunday and endeavored to connect the issue to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Trudeau should be ashamed of himself for the way he spent our money to fund this terrorist organization,” Poilievre said.
Canada’s United Nations ambassador, Bob Rae, stated on Sunday that Canada had not been implicated in funding terrorism.
“What we have been doing in supporting UNRWA over the last 70-75 years has been assisting the humanitarian work of UNRWA…. And we want to be very clear that we’re going to continue to support the humanitarian situation in Gaza precisely because it’s so serious,” he said.
