Herut Canada has become the third Jewish charity to have its charitable status revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) since last year. The CRA announced the revocation in the Nov. 15 edition of the Canada Gazette, citing the charity's failure to comply with parts of the Income Tax Act. Aaron Hadida, the national director of Herut Canada, stated that he was informed the audit was initiated due to pressure from "outside sources." He expressed his determination to continue supporting the Jewish community despite the setback. "This will never stop me from protecting the Jewish community ever," Hadida said. "I don’t want them to think they got a win, because they didn’t. It’s laughable." Herut Canada, which describes itself as "unapologetically Zionist," was registered in 2021. The charity focuses on various Jewish causes, including community security and self-defense training. According to Hadida, the charity's total revenue for 2024 was $56,111, with expenses of $42,565. During the audit, Hadida questioned the CRA about the reasons for the scrutiny, noting that it was a small charity. He recounted the CRA's response: "They said, ‘We’ve had complaints.’ I said, ‘So, outside sources basically pressured you to audit me, is what you’re telling me,’ and they basically admitted it." He criticized the CRA for targeting Jewish charities while allowing others with alleged ties to terrorist organizations time to rectify their issues. The CRA did not provide further details regarding the revocation when requested. In contrast, the anti-Israel group Just Peace Advocates welcomed the decision, stating they had made two submissions to the CRA requesting an audit and that community members had sent 19,282 letters advocating for the action. In August 2024, the CRA also revoked the charitable statuses of the Jewish National Fund and the Ne’eman Foundation of Canada. Member of Parliament Melissa Lantsman criticized the agency's actions on social media, highlighting a pattern of targeting Jewish organizations. She referenced other issues, including Service Canada’s handling of passport information and Global Affairs listing the Canadian embassy in Tel Aviv as being in "Palestine" following Canada’s recognition of Palestinian statehood. Lantsman remarked, "CRA going after a third Jewish charity. Service Canada scrubbing Israel off passports. Global Affairs listing the embassy address in ‘Palestine.’ But don’t worry, I’m sure this is just one big, totally innocent coincidence." The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) expressed concerns about the implications of the CRA's actions. They are seeking clarity from the federal government and advocating for transparency in the auditing process. CIJA stated, "At a time when extremists have a coordinated campaign to delegitimize our community and our organizations, this development understandably raises serious concerns." Despite the uncertainty surrounding Herut Canada’s future, Hadida remains committed to his work. He emphasized the importance of community safety, especially in light of rising antisemitism. Following the deadly Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in Israel, there has been a notable increase in antisemitic incidents in Canada. Statistics Canada reported that 70 percent of hate crimes targeting a religion in 2023 were directed at the Jewish community. B’nai Brith Canada noted that 2024 marked a record year for antisemitic incidents, with 6,219 reported cases since they began tracking in 1982. Hadida, who also operates a security company, organizes patrols in Jewish neighborhoods during high holidays and events. He stated, "Money, no money, pennies, millions. It makes no difference to me, truly. I’m really not sure what’s going to happen (with the charity), but I can tell you for sure, the work will always continue."