Canada Pledges $1 Million to Support Palestinian Sex-Crime Victims, Drawing Controversy
Ottawa, March 14, 2024 — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has announced a $1 million funding commitment to assist Palestinian women who have survived sexual violence. However, this move has sparked immediate criticism from a senior Israeli official.
The Announcement
Minister Joly made the pledge via social media, emphasizing the importance of investigating allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinian women. She stated, “We believe Palestinian women must be supported, and their experiences of sexual violence must be thoroughly examined.”
Israeli Response
Israel’s envoy for combating antisemitism, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, swiftly condemned the funding. She characterized it as “supporting blood-libel inversion of fact” and expressed concern that it could fuel rising anti-Jewish sentiment. Cotler-Wunsh also accused Canada of undermining its commitment to fundamental principles of life and liberty.
Unanswered Questions
Minister Joly’s office has not clarified whether the funding specifically addresses sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli forces in Gaza or domestic abuse within the Palestinian territories. The allocated funds will support organizations aiding Palestinian women from the West Bank and Gaza who are survivors of sexual violence, regardless of the circumstances.
Parallel Support
Interestingly, earlier this week, Minister Joly announced an identical amount of funding to support Israeli women who have been victims of sexual violence by Hamas. The distribution of funds to specific groups in each region remains unclear.
UN Experts’ Concerns
Last month, a group of United Nations experts expressed distress over unconfirmed reports of sexual assault against Palestinian women and girls in Israeli detention. These reports included allegations of rape, threats of sexual assault, and strip searches conducted by male Israeli soldiers. The experts called for an impartial investigation into these serious allegations.
Canada’s commitment to assisting survivors of sexual violence is commendable, but the controversy surrounding this decision highlights the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the urgent need for justice and support for victims.
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