Canadian MP calls for UNRWA Accountability

Toronto, June 27, 2003

For Immediate Release

Toronto, June 27, 2003“ B’nai Brith Canada welcomes the forthright speech given by Canadian Alliance MP Jason Kenney to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on the need to hold UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) accountable for the promotion of hatred, incitement and antisemitism in the camps and schools it administers. B’nai Brith commends Kenney’s plan to introduce a Private Member’s Bill calling for UNRWA accountability, mirroring legislation already before the US Congress.

Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada, called on the Chrétien government to act. “The government need not wait for a Private Member’s Bill. It should introduce its own legislation to ensure that the millions of taxpayer dollars it gives to UNRWA every year are used and administered responsibly. UNRWA has demonstrated, to date, its inability or unwillingness to stop incitement to hatred and violence and the glorification of suicide bombers, and to discourage the infiltration of terrorist groups into its camps and schools.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, remarked “Mr. Kenney’s suggestions are the most constructive initiatives on this issue that we have seen in this country to date. Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen paid lip service to halting incitement at the recent summit in Aqaba, but what incentive is there for him to make serious efforts to halt hatred and violence when Canadian tax dollars are being funneled through UNWRA to support these very activities?”

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For further information contact: Joseph Ben-Ami, Director of Communications at 613-294-7313

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.