Canada to continue aid to Palestine despite UN recognition

Toronto: Canada will continue to provide millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians despite saying last week it would assess its whole relationship with the Palestinian Authority after the UN General Assembly voted to recognise the Palestinians as a non-member observer state Canada, a staunch ally of Israel, strongly opposed the Palestinians’ successful effort last week to win elevated status and was one of the few countries to vote against it. [caption id=“attachment_546271” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representative image. Reuters[/caption] Foreign Minister John Baird recalled diplomats from Israel, the West Bank and the UN to assess the implications of the vote and get advice on Tuesday. Rick Roth, a Baird spokesman, says Canada’s current five-year, USD 300-million commitment in funding for security and humanitarian aid is important and will remain. Roth says as a matter of course they will “review the path forward” once the projects are completed. US lawmakers have threatened to cut off aid if the Palestinians use their newfound status against Israel. Some suggested Canada could do the same. AP