Immediate Release
March 15, 2023
Canadians must not subsidize anti-Palestinian pogroms
CRA should immediately rescind charitable status of Mizrachi Canada
Recently a formal complaint was submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency regarding Mizrachi Canada providing tax credits for donations to Kedumim, an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. Kedumim is populated by violent extremists who frequently attack Palestinian farmers on their own lands nearby. Kedumim is led by individuals who celebrated a recent pogrom against Palestinians in Huwara that left one dead and 100 injured when vigilantes set dozens of houses and cars ablaze.
The leadership of Kedumim includes Bezalel Smotrich and Daniella Weiss. The minister in charge of the West Bank, Smotrich responded to the vigilante violence in Huwara by calling for the Palestinian town to be “wiped out”.
Former mayor of Kedumim, Weiss celebrated the pogrom at Huwara on Israel 24News TV. Saying “my friends were in Huwara”, she threatened more settler violence if the Israeli state didn’t steal more Palestinian land. Weiss previously spoke at public forums in Canada.
“It’s outrageous that Canada is subsidizing Israeli settler violence against Palestinians”, said Khaled Mouammar. “Incredibly, Canadians can receive a tax credit for donations to an illegal settlement run by individuals lionizing pogroms and openly advocating for the annihilation of an entire community.”
Over the past three months, four separate complaints have been submitted to the CRA regarding Mizrachi Canada funneling funds to illegal Israeli settlements in violation of Canadian charity law. The group’s opaque finances also likely contravene CRA guidelines.
“The Canada Revenue Agency has ample evidence detailing how Mizrachi Canada is violating its rules,” noted Rabbi David Mivasair, a member of Independent Jewish Voices. “It must immediately revoke the group’s charitable status to uphold Canadian law and meet its obligations to Canadian taxpayers.”
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