After Criticism, Ottawa Pledges $1 Million to Support Hamas Sexual-Violence Victims

Ottawa Commits $1 Million to Aid Victims of Sexual Violence Linked to Hamas

March 11, 2024 TruthUSA

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announces that Canada will provide $1 million to support victims of sexual violence by Hamas during last October’s attacks in Israel.

Along with the funding, there is an offer of RCMP support for investigations, responding to a plea from a group of female Canadian political figures made three months ago.

Last week, a UN envoy stated that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that Hamas carried out rape and “sexualized torture” during the assault on southern Israel on October 7.

Women’s organizations in Israel have criticized global counterparts for being slow to address sexual violence by Hamas, with Canada’s envoy for combating antisemitism attributing the delay to anti-Jewish sentiments.

However, Israeli authorities point out that forensic evidence was not preserved amid the chaos of the attack, and many potential sexual assault victims were killed by Hamas.

Minister Joly is currently in Israel as part of a Middle East tour to advocate for humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.