The Azrieli Foundation Canada states they are an “independent and public foundation committed to truth, transparency and meaningful change. We believe in peaceful coexistence in the land of Israel. Our work reflects our values and our unwavering belief in the power of passion and purpose.” Their mission is “rooted in Jewish values – compassion, justice and a deep responsibility to do good in the world.”
If true, why does Azrieli Foundation have significant investments in the Azrieli Group, an Israeli real estate company? Why does Azrieli Foundation donate significant amounts to Israeli universities that are tied to the Israeli military? Why does Azrieli Foundation provide fellowships to former Israeli military personnel, including those who participated in the genocide in Gaza, and those who are acting as consultants for Israel’s Ministry of Defence?
For context, Azrieli Foundation was established in 1989 as a public foundation in Canada. The foundation is one of several Azrieli family institutions. The other two notable organizations are the: Azrieli Group, an Israeli real estate company, and the Azrieli Foundation Israel, the Israeli counterpart to the Canadian foundation.
While a full dive into the Azrieli Group is beyond the scope of this post, it is worthwhile noting a few things:
- David Azrieli founded both the Azrieli Group and the Foundation. In 1948, he was part of the paramilitary Haganah group. His unit, the Seventh Brigade, was responsible for the “Battle of Jerusalem” which forcibly displaced approximately 10,000 Palestinians.
- As of the company’s last financial report (June 2025), they held about 2.3% of the Bank of Leumi (an Israeli bank that provides “financial foundation and services for settlement activities and settlement expansion”).
- Both foundations have significant investments in the Azrieli Group. The Canadian organization holds 8.55% of the company’s shares, and the Israeli foundation 5.69%. The only other investor with more shares is the Azrieli Holdings Company with 55.62% of Azrieli Group shares. You can see a full list of investors below.
- All three institutions share directors, namely Sharon Azrieli and Naomi Azrieli, who are on both boards. Additionally, Amir Gissin is on both Foundation boards. Finally, Dana Azrieli Hakim is on the Israeli Foundation board and her husband Danny Hakim is on the Canadian Foundation board.
In Canada, Azrieli Foundation gives significant funds to other Canadian charities across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and the arts.
Azrieli has also given significant amounts (over $10 million between 2000-2023) to 17 Canadian and Israeli organizations.
Azrieli Foundation also provides substantial funds to Israeli organizations or Canadian organizations that are directly connected to an Israeli organization (e.g., Canadian Friends of Sheba Medical Center and Israeli universities).
They also provide funds to many Canadian charities that support Israel’s occupation, apartheid, and genocide. This includes United Israel Appeal of Canada, Jerusalem Foundation of Canada, and the now revoked Jewish National Fund.
The majority of funds sent overseas beyond that sent to Israeli universities appear to be going to:
- Azrieli Foundation Israel (Karen Azrieli): Reports that 6.7% of funds go to “Judea + Samaria” (in other words the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem). They also appear to be soliciting funds for work during the genocide, (“support while fighting” as noted on Guidestar), though no details are provided.
- DARCA: Maintains schools in the occupied Syrian Golan and occupied Palestine, including Odem, Katzrin and Darca Nofey Golan, Katrzin.
- JDC Israel: Assists the Israeli military in recruit preparedness
The Azrieli Foundation’s support for various Canadian organizations, such as hospitals and arts performers, is simply an attempt at cultural ‘washing’ (e.g., artwashing, sportwashing, pinkwashing). To reject these attempts, we must first expose them. You can learn more and take action through various Palestinian solidarity organizations such as No Arms in the Arts, Artists Against Art washing, and Ottawa Healthcare Professionals for Palestine! For instance, you can get involved by signing Artists Against Art-washing open letter and emailing TAF leadership!
You can also find out more information about Azrieli Group investments through Norwegian Historians for Palestine who are working against investments by the Norwegian Government’s pension fund.
Check out the details about Azrieli Foundation.
Learn more about the Canada-Israel charity Pipeline.
Take Action.
