2 charities revoked for sending cash to Israeli military
Sid Shniad
Two Canadian charities had their statuses revoked after Canada's tax agency said the groups were sending money to Israeli soldiers. (Ariel Schalit/AP Photo)2 charities revoked for sending cash to Israeli military
Bethany Lindsay
Two Canadian charities that were using their donations to support members of the Israeli military have had their registration revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The Canadian Zionist Cultural Association (CZCA) and Canada Charity Partners both lost their charitable status on Feb. 21. CRA letters outlining the reasons for the revocations say they include the “unstated collateral non-charitable purpose” of “increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of a foreign armed forces.”
The human rights group Just Peace Advocates has been calling for the revocation of the CZCA’s registration for the last five years.
“Canadians don’t want to be subsidizing a foreign military violating international law,” Palestinian refugee Khaled Mouammar said in a 2021 press release calling for an audit of the organization.
But the CZCA argues it has been treated unfairly, telling supporters that it has always acted in compliance with Canadian law.
“Typically, if CRA has issues with a charity’s operation, it provides for an opportunity to correct the issues, but CZCA was not given that opportunity. We believe that CZCA was targeted, consistent with what other Jewish charities have faced over the past two years,” the organization’s board and staff wrote in an email announcing the revocation last month.
CRA records provided to the IJF show that auditors wrote to the CZCA with their concerns in December 2024, and the organization provided a response in March 2025.
The association currently describes itself as “a Canadian charity supporting programs such as grocery vouchers for families in financial need, rehabilitation and recreational programs for bereaved families and youth, and scholarships for students who cannot afford to continue their education.”
However, the CRA’s letter says its main purpose appears to be transferring money to other groups that directly support soldiers in Israel.
The Canadian Zionist Cultural Association shares an address, telephone number and staff members with a non-profit called the Association for the Soldiers of Israel — Canada, according to auditors. That group has described itself as “the only non-profit organization in Canada authorized by the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] to support Israel's soldiers on active duty,” the letter says.
Together, the CRA says the two organizations have co-hosted several fundraising events, including the 2015 “Salute to the Soldiers of Israel Gala Dinner” and a 2020 “Virtual celebration with the IDF and Mossad” — Israel’s national intelligence agency.
As for Canada Charity Partners, the revocation letter released to the IJF is heavily redacted, but it makes similar allegations.
In particular, the CRA alleges, the charity has been issuing tax receipts for donations made to support the fundraising website IsraelGives. The tax-deductible campaigns advertised by IsraelGives include projects like “Support the IDF Paratroopers and Drones Special Forces Unit,” which promises to equip troops with military gear.
The former charities have the power to challenge the revocations in the Federal Court of Appeal.
The CZCA email to supporters said it’s currently exploring all legal options. Canada Charity Partners did not respond to a request for comment.
The two revocations are just the latest in a series of charities that have lost their registration for supporting the Israeli military.
A group called the Canadian Women Against Antisemitism recently submitted a petition to the House of Commons, calling on the government to review recent revocations of Zionist charities to ensure they’re “not influenced by systemic bias or political pressure.”