The hospital room in Yatta, a city in the West Bank, was filled with visitors providing comfort to Khader Nawaj’ah and his wife, Fatima. The couple recounted being attacked by Israeli settlers while sleeping outside their home in Khirbet Susiya. Khader described the assault, mentioning being pelted with stones and struck with sticks by the assailants.
Dr. Tareq Abu Aram, who treats victims of settler attacks, highlighted the frequency of such incidents at the hospital. Since May 2024, the Canadian government has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities involved in extremist settler violence in the West Bank, citing concerns about human rights violations and regional security.
Despite escalating attacks on Palestinian civilians, Canadian tax-deductible donations to groups supporting West Bank settlements persist. Nasser Nawaj’ah, a field researcher for B’Tselem, emphasized the need for Canada to uphold international law by cracking down on charities funding Israeli settlements, which are deemed illegal under international law.
Critics argue that the mere presence of settlers in the West Bank legitimizes violence against Palestinians. Charitable donations supporting settlement activities in the West Bank, including to entities linked to the Israeli military, have raised ethical concerns. The Canada Revenue Agency has revoked the charitable status of organizations for funding projects in occupied territories and supporting armed forces of another country.
Activists have raised complaints about charities acting as conduits for funds supporting Israeli activities in the West Bank. The lack of transparency and control over donations to entities affiliated with the Israeli military has sparked calls for stricter oversight and adherence to Canadian public policy.
The situation in Khirbet Susiya remains precarious, with residents facing threats of violence and eviction. The ongoing settler violence and lack of accountability for attacks have left Palestinian families like the Nawaj’ahs feeling abandoned by the justice system.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed concerns about the repercussions of settler violence in the West Bank, warning of potential international legal consequences. The unsettling reality for residents of Khirbet Susiya underscores the urgent need for addressing settler violence and ensuring justice for the victims.