Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other leaders in Canada have expressed their support for Israeli and Palestinian peoples who lives have been caught in the crossfire after a Hamas-led attack on Israeli citizens earlier this month and Israel's subsequent retaliation. A recent social media post claims the Trudeau government has provided hundreds of millions in foreign aid to Hamas and the Palestinian Authority instead of providing financial support for vets or seniors. This is false. Ottawa has not given money to Hamas, which Canada has deemed a terrorist entity for more than 20 years, and money provided to Palestinians has gone to partner organizations to support humanitarian efforts in the area.
A user on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted a of a photo of Trudeau with a list of countries and dollar amounts assigned to them. At the top it claims Hamas and the Palestinian Authority received $351 million. Text at the bottom reads, "Sorry Canada, no new money for vets, seniors or ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøs."
The user posted the meme on Oct. 15 and wrote, "The duo of (Mélanie) Joly-Trudeau have no geopolitical acumen and can't comprehend the complexities of the impact of consequences of ill-advised foreign aid with no accountability!! At a time when so many ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøs are in desperate need of help!!"
The post has been viewed more than 41,000 times and has been reposted 1,194 times.
Rating: False
The meme was first posted online as early as 2018. Another user on X an iteration of the meme on Oct. 18, 2018, claiming Trudeau was sending millions to extremist states.
The source for the dollar figures displayed in the meme is unclear.
Since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began earlier this month, the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø government has provided an initial in humanitarian aid to go to partners to address urgent needs stemming from the crisis in Israel, West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The money will go to provide food, water, emergency assistance and protection services. None of the funds will go to Hamas, Trudeau said in a on Oct. 14.
Canada has provided money to Palestinians for years
In 2007, the then-Conservative government committed to providing more than over five years toward improving Palestinian security, governance and prosperity during the Paris donors' conference. At that time, Ottawa said it would ensure ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø funds do not directly or indirectly benefit Hamas or other terrorist groups listed under ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø law.
The year prior, Canada provided $25 million in programming in the West Bank and Gaza to support a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian government. It also provided $15 million in support of Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency program, which provides basic services to Palestinian refugees around the world.
The Trudeau government committed a total of in support for the United Nations program from 2019 to 2023.
In an emailed statement to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said that Canada sends an average of $55 million annually to the West Bank and Gaza, which includes $20 million for development and $35 million in humanitarian aid.
Hamas-Israel war
The latest conflict began when Hamas, which Canada has deemed a terrorist entity since 2002, conducted surprise attacks on Israeli citizens on Oct. 7. Israel declared war in response and has been raining airstrikes on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and is preparing a ground invasion.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says nearly 3,800 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, and more than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, most of them civilians caught up in the deadly Hamas incursion.
Trudeau and other federal leaders have all acknowledged the fear the war is stirring for members of Jewish as well as Arab and Muslim communities. They have called for the need to ensure the conflict does not lead to a rise in hate or violence against these groups.
"Terrorism is always indefensible, and nothing can justify Hamas' act of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of Israeli civilians. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people nor their legitimate aspirations," Trudeau said in his Oct. 14 statement.
"Canada stands firmly with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace, security, with dignity and without fear."
The supports Israel's right to live in peace with its neighbours within secure boundaries while also recognizing the Palestinian right to self-determination and supports the creation of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.
Canada recognizes the Palestinian Authority as the governmental entity in the West Bank and Gaza, but does not provide direct funding to the authority, the head of communications for International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen told .
Global Affairs Canada said Canada "relies on experienced and trusted ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and international partners" to deliver aid in the region.
Sources
Claim can be found on X ()
Meme found in an X post from 2018 ()
from Oct. 12, 2023 ()
from Oct. 14, 2023 ()
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Canada to continue sending humanitarian aid to Gaza, insists no money will go to Hamas - ()
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from June 26, 2023 ()
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