QUESTION PERIOD — Global Affairs
Conflict in Gaza Strip
February 8, 2024
Good afternoon, Senator Gold. There’s growing unease about the credibility of claims concerning the complicity of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, in the abhorrent October 7 terrorist attack in Israel. Respected media reports in the U.K. and France from those who have seen the dossier from Israel have concluded that the claims do not stand up to scrutiny.
What is the Government of Canada doing on an urgent basis to get the evidence from Israel so that we can come to our own conclusion about these claims?
The Government of Canada is in regular contact with its counterparts in the State of Israel, with whom we have a long‑standing relationship. The government’s decision to pause funding to UNRWA as explained here was a prudent one in light of the evidence that has been shared and disclosed.
At the same time, the government is committed to not diminishing the assistance to the citizens of Gaza. It simply wants to make sure that assistance does not fall into the hands of the terrorist group Hamas.
Discussions between Canada and Israel are ongoing. These matters, as you will understand in this chamber, typically remain between governments and are not necessarily fully shared with the public.
Senator Gold, the growing unease about the credibility of these claims might suggest that the prudent course would have been to continue with the funding until such time that clear evidence was provided regarding the very serious charges made against UNRWA. Now, you had responded to our colleague yesterday that the government continues to provide funding to Palestinians through other means, but I will remind you that we have heard testimony from Global Affairs Canada, or GAC, officials at the Foreign Affairs Committee indicating that the best and most effective organization providing aid in Palestine is, in fact, UNRWA.
I would ask that you please convey this senator’s concern, for mercy’s sake, that we restore funding to UNRWA until such time that we have better evidence.
I will certainly communicate your concerns. I have confidence in the Government of Canada’s assessment of the claims that have been made about the individuals in UNRWA or, indeed, UNRWA as an organization as it has done its work over the years. I also have confidence that the government will make sure that it will continue to support the humanitarian aid to Gaza and the Palestinians who deserve and require it.
