The HESEG Foundation is a charitable foundation created by Canadian CEOs Gerry Schwartz and Heather Reisman in 2005[1] to provide free tuition to former lone soldiers who serve in Israel's military under Israel Defense Forces.[2][3]

HESEG provides money to cover tuition and living expenses for former "lone soldiers" who wish to remain in Israel to study after they've completed their military service.[4]

Approximately 6,000 "lone soldiers" serve in the IDF in any one year.[1]

In 2006, HESEG donated 100 mobile air conditioning units to provide relief for residents of northern Israel forced to live in bomb shelters during the Israel-Hezbollah War.[5] To be eligible for free tuition, the immigrant to Israel must join the Israeli Defence forces, and complete their term of active service.

Heseg is the Hebrew word for "achievement".[6][4]

Criticism

Schwartz and Reisman's role in the foundation has led pro-Palestinian activists to organize a boycott campaign of the Chapters and Indigo book chain (Chapters/Indigo) which is owned by Reisman and has Schwartz on its board.[6][4]

As of 2023, the IDF has been under scrutiny for its international human rights and humanitarian law violations.[7][8][9]

Critics claim the foundation violates the Foreign Enlistment Act by offering inducements to Canadians to join a foreign military service.[10]

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) states that “supporting the armed forces of another country is not” charitable. Yves Engler wrote that Heseg violates CRA rules by being one of many Canadian charitable organizations that send money to the IDF.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 Kennemer, Daniel, "New fund for lone soldiers launched", Jerusalem Post, May 4, 2005
  2. ↑ HESEG Foundation website Archived 2007-10-09 at the Wayback Machine, accessed January 1, 2008
  3. ↑ Falconer, Sara, " Indigo donates millions to Israeli soldiers", The Hour, June 7, 2007
  4. 1 2 3 Wheeler, Glenn (2007-06-07). "Indigo's Israel Problem". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  5. ↑ Rettig, Haviv, "Canadians bring breath of fresh air to shelters", Jerusalem Post, July 21, 2006
  6. 1 2 Wheeler, Glen, "Indigo's Israel problem Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine", Now Magazine, July 7-13, 2007
  7. ↑ "Chapter 3: Israeli Settlements and International Law". Amnesty International. 2019-01-30. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  8. ↑ "International law questions abound as Israeli forces raid Gaza hospitals". NBC News. 2023-11-21. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  9. ↑ "UN chief says 'clear violations of international humanitarian law' in Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  10. ↑ Engler, Yves (May 17, 2021). "Op-ed: The push to stop Israeli military recruitment in Canada". Now Magazine. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Legal complaint launched against Israeli-Canadian charity".
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