For four decades, Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP) operated in Canada, quietly collecting donations under the guise of providing medical assistance. But a recent investigation has revealed a troubling lack of transparency, ultimately leading to Ottawa’s decision to revoke its charitable status.
The charity, formerly known as the Palestine Red Crescent Society, consistently reported strikingly unusual financial activity. Year after year, filings showed zero dollars spent on essential operational costs – office supplies, transportation, salaries, even rent – while hundreds of thousands of dollars were categorized simply as “other” expenses.
Experts in charity law found this pattern deeply concerning. An active organization spending significant funds should logically demonstrate expenses in standard categories, raising questions about where the money was actually going and how donations were being utilized.
Despite claiming a focus on Palestinian medical aid, MAP’s reported activities painted a different picture. In 2018 and 2019, the organization stated its only external work occurred in Tanzania, a nation far removed from its stated beneficiary population.
Adding to the mystery, a similarly named charity, “Medical Aid for Palestinians,” exists in the United Kingdom, also with a history of controversy. When questioned about any connection, MAP Canada’s spokesperson offered no direct answers, fueling further suspicion.
The U.K. branch has a documented history of collaboration with organizations linked to problematic groups. Specifically, it worked with Abdel Shafi Community Health, an entity allegedly connected to the terrorist group PFLP, and openly boasted a strong relationship with Hamas’ health agency.
Further complicating matters is the alleged connection to Interpal, an organization previously designated by the United States as a supporter of Hamas and a key component of its European funding network. While Interpal denies these allegations, the association raises serious concerns.
Following investigative reporting and reported complaints to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the agency took action. Sharmila Khare, head of CRA’s charities division, issued a notice proposing the revocation of MAP’s charitable registration.
The decision, published in the Canada Gazette, effectively shuts down MAP’s ability to receive tax-deductible donations. This move comes amidst a broader review of charitable organizations, including the recent revocation of status for some Jewish and pro-Israel charities.
The case of Medical Aid for Palestine serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for transparency and accountability within the charitable sector, and the importance of scrutinizing how donations are truly used.
