Documentary reveals Canadian charities’ role in funding illegal settlements in occupied West Bank
A new investigation by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s The Fifth Estate has revealed that several Canadian charities have funneled millions of dollars to support illegal Israeli settlements
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) — A new investigation by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s The Fifth Estate has revealed that several Canadian charities have funneled millions of dollars to support illegal Israeli settlements and even the Israeli military.
The documentary, Funding the Occupation, aired Friday, opening with the story of Khader Nawajah and his wife, Fatima, who were seriously injured after being attacked by illegal Israeli settlers outside their home in the occupied West Bank.
Nawajah told CBC that settlers assaulted them at night using large stones “too heavy to lift with one hand.” The Palestinian Authority’s Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission described this year’s olive harvest as “the most dangerous in decades,” noting that farmers face constant settler violence and destruction of their trees.
According to the commission, Israeli settlers and soldiers have uprooted or damaged nearly 49,000 trees—including over 37,000 olive trees—over the past two years, while assaults have killed 33 Palestinians and displaced dozens of Bedouin communities.
The CBC investigation found that despite Canada’s sanctions on individuals and entities involved in extremist settler violence, millions in charitable donations continue to reach organizations linked to Israel’s military and settlement expansion.
Miles Howe, a researcher on pro-Israeli charities, told CBC that Canada is “financing war criminality through our charitable system.” His review of Mizrachi Canada’s tax filings showed more than $4 million in 2022–23 went to groups operating in the West Bank.
Toronto-based lawyer Shane Martinez added that “the Association for Israeli Soldiers received $1.2 million in 2023,” while “Friends of the IDF received another $35,000,” stressing that these groups support active-duty Israeli soldiers.
“Canadians, by and large, are not aware that their money is being used to subsidize the Israeli army,” Martinez said. “If they knew, I think most people would be outraged.”
The Fifth Estate reported that several organizations named in the investigation—including the Canadian Zionist Cultural Association, Mizrachi Canada, Jewish National Fund Canada, and the Canada Revenue Agency—either declined to comment or did not respond.
The full documentary, Funding the Occupation, is available on YouTube.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
