Posted on 10/28/2002 10:51:32 PM PST by Cinnamon Girl
Canadian authorities have decided to revoke tax exemptions on donations made to the Magen David Adom organization, since money for the emergency medical service supports ambulances that operate in the territories.
MDA directors in Israel and organization supporters in Canada have tried in recent weeks to reverse the decision but to no avail thus far.
MDA's directors in Israel delivered a letter to the Canadian government saying that ambulances supported by Canadian citizens will not operate in the territories. However, the pledge has not persuaded the authorities to re-institute the organization's tax-exempt status.
The decision to revoke the tax exempt status is significant, since it is liable to discourage potential donors. Canadian law offers tax exemptions to persons who donate money to bodies officially recognized as "charity organizations." Gifts to organizations that lack such designation do not entitle the donors to tax exemptions.
Earlier this month, Canada's Federal Court of Appeals ruled in principle that the authorities cannot revoke tax exempt status on donations to organizations that operate in the territories.
The court said it sees "no logic in the proposition that the provision of emergency medical assistance can be a charitable activity in downtown Tel Aviv but not in the occupied territories." Despite this statement, the court did not overturn the decision to revoke tax exempt status on donations to MDA.
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