A recent revelation has brought to light the substantial financial contributions made by charities in England and Wales to Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law. Labour MP Melanie Ward has called for a thorough investigation into 32 organisations that have donated over £28 million to these settlements. This situation raises significant concerns about the implications of such funding, particularly regarding taxpayer involvement and compliance with international standards.
Investigation Launched into Charitable Donations
Melanie Ward, who previously served as the chief executive of Medical Aid for Palestinians, has urged the Charity Commission to closely examine the activities of these charities. In her correspondence with the regulatory body, she highlighted that if gift aid were applied to these donations—an often-utilised tax relief for charities—it could result in British taxpayers inadvertently subsidising illegal settlements by approximately £5.6 million. Ward condemned this practice, labelling it “deplorable” and a blatant contradiction to the principles of charitable giving.
The foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, confirmed on Tuesday that the Charity Commission has been instructed to investigate the connections between UK charities and Israeli settlements. This inquiry aims to ensure compliance with both UK and international laws regarding settlement activities.
Charities Named in Controversy
Among the organisations identified in Ward’s letter are the Kasner Charitable Trust (KCT) and UK Toremet. According to reports, these charities have contributed over £5.7 million to the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva high school located in Susya, a village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Ward’s researchers uncovered that KCT also provided funding to another yeshiva in Hebron, while UK Toremet has been linked to donations to Regavim, a radical pro-settler group known for advocating the demolition of Palestinian homes—a group that has faced sanctions from the EU.
UK Toremet defends its actions, asserting that it complies with legal standards and only processes donations that meet charitable criteria. A spokesperson for the organisation noted that the donation to Regavim had been for a project within Israel’s pre-1967 borders and insisted that Shivat Zion Lerigvy Admata, another group mentioned, was not an approved recipient under their grant-making framework.
The Broader Implications of Funding Settlements
The issue of funding illegal settlements has profound ramifications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yaser Alkam, a Palestinian-American residing in the occupied West Bank, expressed grave concerns about the impact of such donations on the lives of Palestinians. He stated, “Donating to these outposts and to these settlements is directly affecting Palestinians, the owners of the land in these areas. You’re providing the means for these crimes to continue and to flourish.”
Ward has stressed that funding activities supporting the expansion of Israeli settlements contradicts the positions of the UN, various UK governments, and the international court of justice. She underscored the need for the Charity Commission to take decisive action to prevent UK charities from being implicated in what many view as violations of international law.
Charity Commission’s Response
In light of these serious allegations, a spokesperson for the Charity Commission confirmed that they are actively considering the issues raised by Ward. They acknowledged the complexity and contentious nature of the topic, indicating that a thorough review is necessary to address the legal and compliance aspects of charities operating within this contentious environment.
Why it Matters
The financial entanglement of UK charities with Israeli settlements poses critical ethical questions about the role of charitable organisations in politically sensitive regions. As the Charity Commission embarks on its investigation, the outcome could redefine the landscape of charitable giving in the UK, particularly concerning international law and human rights. The implications of this inquiry extend far beyond accounting practices; they touch upon the moral responsibilities of charities and the potential consequences of their funding choices on the lives of those affected by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
