In a hospital room in Yatta, a city in the occupied West Bank, Khader Nawaj’ah and his wife, Fatima, are recovering from injuries sustained in an attack by Israeli settlers. The Nawaj’ahs were sleeping outside their home in the village of Khirbet Susiya when the assault occurred, leaving Khader with bruises and a broken hand, and Fatima with a broken arm.
Dr. Tareq Abu Aram, who treats victims of settler attacks, mentioned that incidents like this are unfortunately common at the hospital. Since May 2024, the Canadian government has taken action against individuals and entities involved in settler violence in the West Bank.
Despite these sanctions, investigations reveal that Canadian donations to groups supporting West Bank settlements persist, exacerbating the situation for Palestinian civilians. Nasser Nawaj’ah, a field researcher for an Israeli human rights group, emphasized the need for Canada to uphold international law by cracking down on charities funding illegal Israeli settlements.
The presence of over 500,000 settlers in the West Bank, though not all violent, contributes to legitimizing violent actions against Palestinians. Critics argue that supporting settlements through charitable giving contradicts Canadian tax rules and public policy.
Charitable organizations, like Mizrachi Canada and the Canadian Zionist Cultural Association, have been scrutinized for funding activities in the West Bank, including those linked to the Israeli military. An academic researcher highlighted the potential violation of Canadian laws by these charities.
Concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency and control over donations sent to entities supporting settlements. Activists have urged the Canada Revenue Agency to investigate these charities for potentially breaching charity rules and Canadian foreign policy.
The situation in Khirbet Susiya exemplifies the ongoing fear and uncertainty faced by Palestinians living in the West Bank. The lack of justice for victims of settler violence underscores the challenges and risks faced by Palestinian communities in the region.