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Letter to Salma Zahid MP (Liberal) from YB, Toronto: Challenging UNRWA’s Hamas Ties and Canada’s $100 Million Uncontrolled Funding – May 12, 2026

  • Writer: CAEF
    CAEF
  • 1 day ago
  • 2 min read

Honourable MP Salma Zahid

I am writing as a constituent to express my deep concern regarding your continued public support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)


The core risk is that Hamas, a designated terrorist organization responsible for severe harm and human rights violations, has credibly infiltrated and exploited UNRWA’s staff, unions, and facilities in Gaza, creating a structural vulnerability in which humanitarian infrastructure can be co‑opted for militant activity; although the precise scale of infiltration is disputed among Israeli, UN, and U.S. assessments, the combination of documented staff involvement in the 7 October attacks, ideological penetration of educational networks, and the use of UNRWA sites for tunnels, storage, and command functions produces a high‑impact threat to operational neutrality, donor confidence, and regional stability, requiring sustained oversight and mitigation


While I recognize the importance of humanitarian aid and the need to support vulnerable civilians held hostage by Hamas , I am troubled by credible reports from multiple governments and security agencies indicating that elements within UNRWA have been infiltrated or influenced by Hamas — an organization designated as a terrorist entity by the Government of Canada and responsible for severe harm and human rights violations

These reports raise serious questions about the security implications of Canadian political support for UNRWA, particularly in light of allegations that some UNRWA staff have been linked to Hamas activities or have facilitated the diversion of humanitarian resources. Even if these issues involve only a subset of individuals, the potential for misuse of Canadian taxpayer funds represents a significant national‑security risk


My concerns include:


  • Security Oversight — Whether adequate due diligence has been conducted before endorsing or advocating for continued funding to UNRWA

  • Risk of Diversion — The possibility that Canadian-supported aid could be diverted to Hamas or other extremist actors

  • Constituent Safety — The broader implications for Canadian security when elected officials support organizations facing such allegations

  • Accountability Measures — Whether you support stronger monitoring, auditing, and verification mechanisms before any future funding is considered


Given the seriousness of these concerns, I respectfully request clarification on the following:


  1. What specific security assessments or intelligence briefings informed your decision to publicly support UNRWA

  2. Whether you acknowledge the risks identified by allied governments and independent investigators

  3. What safeguards you believe are necessary to ensure that Canadian funds do not indirectly support extremist organizations

  4. Whether you will commit to withholding support for UNRWA until a full, independent, and transparent investigation is completed


As a constituent, I expect my elected representative to prioritize the safety and security of Canadians above all else. I urge you to address these concerns promptly and provide a clear explanation of your position


Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response







YB, Toronto

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