The hospital room in Yatta, a Palestinian city in the West Bank, is filled with visitors, providing comfort to Khader Nawaj’ah and his wife Fatima. They were attacked by Israeli settlers while sleeping outside their home in Khirbet Susiya. Dr. Tareq Abu Aram, who frequently treats victims of settler attacks, mentioned that such incidents occur frequently, with many victims seeking medical help.
In response to the escalating violence, the Canadian government has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities involved in extremist settler violence in the West Bank. Despite this, tax-deductible donations from Canadians to organizations supporting West Bank settlements persist, as revealed by an investigation by CBC’s the fifth estate.
Nasser Nawaj’ah, a field researcher for B’Tselem, emphasized the need for Canada to uphold international law by cracking down on charities funding Israeli settlements. While most settlers are not directly involved in violence, their presence contributes to legitimizing such actions against Palestinians.
Canadian donations continue to support organizations linked to the Israeli military and settlements in the West Bank, raising concerns about complicity in illegal activities. The Canada Revenue Agency has revoked the charitable status of some organizations for violating charity rules and supporting non-charitable causes.
Residents of Khirbet Susiya live in fear of settler attacks and potential home demolitions, as their village is considered illegal by Israeli authorities. Activists have raised complaints about Canadian charities funding activities in the West Bank that conflict with Canadian foreign policy and tax regulations.
Despite criticisms and complaints, Canadian charities persist in sending millions of dollars to entities supporting Israeli military activities in the West Bank. Concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency and control over where the donations are directed, potentially violating Canadian laws and public policy.
The Finance Minister of Canada defended the stringent laws governing charities but faced questions about allowing donations that contradict Canadian foreign policy. The ongoing settler violence in the West Bank, as highlighted by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, underscores the need for international attention and accountability.
In Khirbet Susiya, residents like Hiyam and Nasser Nawaj’ah live in fear and uncertainty, with no justice in sight for the attacks they have endured. Despite the challenges they face, they strive to maintain hope for a better future amidst ongoing tensions in the region.