An official inquiry has been initiated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales into the flow of charitable funds directed towards illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. This investigation is a response to allegations made by Labour MP Melanie Ward, who has raised concerns regarding the financial activities of several UK charities.
Investigation Details
The Charity Commission aims to ascertain the volume of charitable contributions made to these settlements and whether such expenditures align with the charities’ stated purposes. This investigation is particularly timely, as it follows alarming revelations published by the Guardian, which highlighted that two British charities had funneled approximately £5.7 million to the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva high school located in Susya, a site within the Israeli-occupied region.
In June, Ward submitted a formal complaint to the Charity Commission, asserting that at least 32 charities had collectively donated upwards of £28 million to illegal settlements, which contravene international law. The inquiry is viewed as a direct response to her complaint, as it seeks to clarify the extent of these financial transactions and the implications for regulatory compliance.
Statements from the Charity Commission
Stephen Roake, the assistant director of high-risk compliance at the Charity Commission, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations. “Serious allegations have been made about UK charities operating in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine, so our first step is to establish the facts,” he stated. Roake underscored the importance of this inquiry in shaping future regulatory guidance aimed at bolstering public trust in charitable organisations.
In a parliamentary statement, former Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the necessity of such an investigation, indicating that the charity sector has been exploited to support illegal settlements. She expressed concern regarding the potential misuse of UK gift aid, which could inadvertently bolster these activities.
Political Reactions
Melanie Ward, responding to Cooper’s comments, indicated that she and 140 Labour colleagues preferred a ban on such donations rather than an inquiry. She pointed out that the Charity Commission had been made aware of these issues since July of the previous year but had not taken decisive action until now.
The Charity Commission has begun its inquiry by focusing on eight unnamed charities identified during preliminary investigations. It has indicated that the scope of the inquiry may expand to include additional charities over time. The Commission has also collaborated with law enforcement agencies, including the police and HMRC, as part of its fact-finding mission. Notably, the Metropolitan Police’s war crimes unit has confirmed that it is not currently investigating any charities concerning these donations.
Context of Donations
Recent reports have further illuminated the situation, with the Guardian revealing the involvement of a British charity in financing a religious school at the centre of expansion plans for an illegal settlement in Hebron. Friends of Yeshivat Shavei Hevron reportedly sent nearly £200,000 to the school between 2019 and 2024. The construction of a new dormitory for this institution was approved in June, following controversial decisions by Israeli officials that disregarded longstanding international agreements regarding control of Hebron.
Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed, who serves on the foreign affairs committee, welcomed the Charity Commission’s investigation but stressed that it must encompass all identified charities involved in these activities. She condemned the funding of illegal settlements as extremist behaviour that is linked to violence and the dispossession of Palestinians, asserting that it deviates significantly from genuine charitable activities.
Why it Matters
This investigation is crucial not only for the integrity of the charitable sector in the UK but also for the broader implications it holds for international law and human rights. As more evidence of financial support for illegal settlements emerges, the potential consequences for public trust in charities and the UK’s diplomatic stance in the Middle East could be profound. The outcome of this inquiry may define the future of charitable engagement in politically sensitive regions, ensuring that charitable activities do not inadvertently contribute to violations of international norms and human rights.
