Minister Hussen needs to reverse his UNRWA decision, or resign, or both

In the wake of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issuing a historic ruling that accused Israel of potential genocide—a decision that garnered worldwide attention—Israel made headlines by alleging involvement of a few United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff members in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. This prompted UNRWA to suspend the implicated employees, and launch an investigation to maintain its commitment to humanitarian principles. However, UNRWA’s response did not stop the United States, Canada, and other Western countries—swayed by Israel’s pressure—to withhold financial support, disregarding the pressing humanitarian needs and potentially violating the ICJ's directive to ensure the continuation of aid to the Palestinians. Despite news organizations like Channel 4 and Al Jazeera finding no evidence to support Israel's claims, and U.S. intelligence casting doubt on Israeli claims of UNRWA-Hamas links, Canada’s Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen has maintained his pause of funding to UNRWA, and has faced significant backlash from the Canadian public and humanitarian sector, particularly given the decision was made without an examination of the evidence. Hussen has dangerously weaponized UNRWA and humanitarian aid, a move that stands in stark contrast to his own lived experience. As a Muslim, a lawyer, and an individual whose family fled the civil war in Somalia, found refuge in a Kenyan camp, and then resettled in Canada as refugees, Hussen's decision to suspend aid to UNRWA has profoundly shocked Canadian Muslims. More than 300 Muslim organizations have signed a public letter saying MPs won't be welcome in mosques during the holy month of Ramadan until they call for a ceasefire and demand for the immediate resumption of funding for UNRWA, among other positions. To deflect from his decision, Hussen declared a $40-million allocation to various aid groups, with the World Food Programme receiving the lion's share. However, Hussen’s decision has grown significantly more troubling as the circumstances have worsened. The World Food Programme recently declared that it had to halt the distribution of food assistance to the remote northern regions of Gaza because of escalating violence. Israel has been accused of obstructing UNRWA aid and attacking its trucks, preventing its delivery to those in urgent need. The UN's special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has criticized the Israeli military for impeding critical relief operations. More recently, the ICJ has once again raised its voice, demanding the immediate and effective implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the court in its order of Jan. 26, 2024. Canada's suspension of aid to UNRWA has raised concerns of complicity in war crimes linked to Israel, and is under intense debate, especially following revelations of Canada's $28-million military exports to Israel since October 2023, prompting heightened parliamentary scrutiny. The blockade imposed on Gaza since January 2008 has pushed the region to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Canadian charities, historically at the forefront of addressing this crisis, have relied heavily on UNRWA's indispensable role in providing essential aid during Gaza's darkest times, including during the conflicts of 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the ongoing war. Founded in 1949 in response to the displacement of Palestinians following the 1948 conflict, UNRWA has been the lifeline for Gaza, and the primary conduit for the delivery of international aid to Palestinian refugees with basic needs including education, health care, and emergency humanitarian assistance. Canada’s action against UNRWA mirrors past political actions under the Harper administration, influenced by pressure from Israel. Hussen criticized Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for proposing to cut aid to Gaza, an announcement that, ironically, is no different to what Hussen has effectively done. Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, condemned his government’s decision as politically motivated and influenced by international allies, criticizing it as the wrong decision. Israel perceives UNRWA as a threat not only because of its core humanitarian role in Gaza, but also due to its steadfast commitment to upholding the Palestinian right of return, a principle Israel considers a challenge to its political goals. The decision has had a cascading effect, forcing Canadian charities—many of which partner with UNRWA—to cease their vital programs due to uncertainty and risk. It places Canadian charities in a precarious position, wondering whether their continued support for UNRWA will result in penalization or harassment by regulatory bodies such as the Canada Revenue Agency or financial institutions. No other UN humanitarian entity or international NGO operating in Gaza can match the capacity or reach of UNRWA. Over 1.7 million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge either inside or near one of UNRWA’s 154 shelters throughout Gaza since last October. The truth is the freezing of aid to UNRWA is merely an attempt to impose a collective punishment on the Palestinians of Gaza who rely on the agency for their very survival. By suffocating this lifeline, we are not only abandoning those in dire need, but also breaching the spirit of the ICJ orders and undermining the principles of humanitarian assistance. It is essential for Hussen to unequivocally reaffirm Canada's dedication to humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and clearly state that charities collaborating with UNRWA can proceed with their vital work. It is imperative that he reverses his stance on UNRWA; failing to do so would signify a failure to uphold Canadian values, warranting his resignation. In fact, over 75 Canadian organizations have issued an open letter calling for Hussen to resign unless retracts his decision. As a nation, Canada's support for UNRWA transcends foreign policy, reflecting our core values of human rights and dignity. It is crucial for Canada to reassess its stance, advocating for a future in Gaza characterized by peace, stability, and hope, reaffirming our commitment to humanitarian principles and the well-being of Palestinian refugees. Washim Ahmed is a refugee and human rights lawyer, and a co-founder of OWS Law.