|
CIDA rejects grant renewal after 35 years of support |
|
|
|
|
Written by Atara Beck
|
|
Wednesday, 16 December 2009 |
|
OTTAWA – The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has rejected a grant renewal application – after 35 years of support – from KAIROS-Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives.
According to its web site, KAIROS is a “web of people and partnerships dedicated to a faithful and decisive response to G-d’s call for respect for the earth and justice for its people. A faith-based ecumenical organization, inspired by a vision of G-d’s compassionate justice, KAIROS effects social change [internationally] through advocacy, education and research programs….”
The reason cited for rejecting the renewal, according to NGO Monitor, a Jerusalem-based group that promotes accountability of human rights pertaining to the Arab-Israeli conflict, was that the KAIROS project “does not meet CIDA’s current priorities.”
This has created uproar among KAIROS supporters, including the 11 church groups it represents. The government funding it requested was $7 million over four years, which would have covered half of KAIROS’ budget.
According to several news reports, another organization whose grant renewal was denied is Alternatives Action and Communication Network for International Development, although Alternatives claimed that it had not received confirmation of the rejection.
As pointed out by NGO Monitor, which broke the story, both CIDA and Alternatives have been supporting anti-Israel activity and propaganda. Kairos, for example, accuses Israel of war crimes, and Alternatives supported Israel Apartheid Week in Montreal and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against the Jewish state.
Bev Oda, minister for international cooperation, did not respond in the House of Commons to Liberal MP John McKay’s demand for an explanation regarding the rejection of continued funding.
Scott Santin, CIDA’s manager of media relations, told the Jewish Tribune that the government is “taking measures to make Canada’s international assistance more focused, more efficient and more accountable.
“While we receive many excellent proposals, we cannot possibly fund every one and we have to make difficult decisions. After completing due diligence it was determined that the organization’s proposal does not meet CIDA’s current priorities.
“Several of KAIROS’ member organizations continue to receive separate funding from CIDA,” he added.
“As for the reports on Alternatives, CIDA does not comment on rumours and does not comment on proposals under consideration.”
Santin also did not comment as to whether the anti-Israel political stands actively supported by CIDA and Alternatives affected CIDA’s decision.
In August, KAIROS called for “urgent action” to assist Mohammed Khatib, a “Palestinian activist imprisoned for peaceful protest only months after his return from a KAIROS co-sponsored Canadian speaking tour.”
Khatib, secretary of the village council of West Bank agricultural town of Bil’in and a leading member of Bil’in’s Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, travelled to Canada in June for an 11-day speaking tour, co-sponsored by KAIROS.
Bil’in is known for its weekly anti-Israel protests, which organizers describe as non-violent and peaceful. Nevertheless, dozens of soldiers were injured by stone throwers and, according to a report on Ynet, “in one particularly violent rally one soldier even lost his eye.”
According to KAIROS, “Members of Parliament Libby Davies (New Democratic Party), Boris Wrzesnewskyj (Liberal) and Richard Nadeau (Bloc Québécois) were recently on a fact- finding mission to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. They visited Bil’in on Aug. 9.” |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 December 2009 )
|
