The previous government revoked about $950,000 in funding from Palestine House after government said there was a “pattern of support for extremism.” Khalid gave their head of public relations an award on Justin Trudeau’s behalf.

Iqra Khalid and the Trudeau government are facing criticism after Khalid reportedly brought greetings on Justin Trudeau’s behalf to Palestine House – an organization with a controversial past.

Khalid reportedly presented the head of public relations at Palestine House – Amin El-Maoued – an award on behalf of Justin Trudeau. Khalid is also facing criticism for “introducing Palestinian Archibshop Atallah Hanna at an event in Mississauga,” according to iPolitics.

The Conservatives say Atallah Hanna is a support of Syrian Dictator Bashar Al Assad. MP Rachael Harder said Khalid was sent by Trudeau to “bring greetings on his behalf at an event organized by the anti-Israel Palestine House. This event starred a Palestinian activist who supports suicide bombings and who met with President Assad of Syria in 2017,” said Harder.

Palestine House has a controversial history. In 2012, the Harper government pulled $950,000 in taxpayer funding the organization had received for settlement services.

The decision to pull the funding was made while Jason Kenney was the Immigration Minister.

As reported by Mississauga.com at the time (February 14, 2012), “Kenney spokesperson Kasra Nejatian told The News today via e-mail that the minister has expressed concern that Palestine House has aligned itself with extremist causes. Nejatian pointed to several events as cause for concern, most recently a gathering hosted by Palestine House that, according to the minister, celebrated the release of hundreds of terrorists. Additionally, a 2008 event at the cultural centre honouring Dr. George Habash, founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), caught the government’s attention. The PFLP is the second-largest of the groups forming the Palestine Liberation Organization and, in the 1960s and ’70s, was responsible for numerous armed attacks and aircraft hijackings.”

Clearly, giving an award to someone from Palestine House is a serious error in judgement.

Khalid made a series of tweets after the controversy spread:

Like any MP, I engage with a diverse array of individuals, stakeholders and groups in my community-many of them I don't agree with. I recently attended a community event with more than 500 community members and introduced a constituent of mine. (1 of 3) — Iqra Khalid (@iamIqraKhalid) April 17, 2018

We've never discussed his views on international affairs. I'm proud that our gov’t has forcefully condemned the Assad regime and I too condemn in the strongest of terms the recent chemical attacks. I've worked hard on these issues in my subcommittee on international human rights — Iqra Khalid (@iamIqraKhalid) April 17, 2018

Like any MP, I engage with a diverse array of individuals, stakeholders and groups in my community-many of them I don't agree with. I recently attended a community event with more than 500 community members and introduced a constituent of mine. (1 of 3) — Iqra Khalid (@iamIqraKhalid) April 17, 2018

Here’s what Conservative MP Rachael Harder said in the House of Commons:

Many people will be seeing this as yet another example of the Trudeau government’s willingness to cozy up to extremist attitudes, something that should be disturbing to all Canadians.

Spencer Fernando

Photo – YouTube

TRENDING NOW



















0 0 vote Article Rating

Like this: Like Loading...