LONDON, June 10 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Thirty-two registered charities in England and Wales are under scrutiny following allegations that they funneled at least £28 million into illegal Israeli settlements. Labour MP Melanie Ward, the former chief executive of Medical Aid for Palestinians, presented these findings to the Charity Commission, suggesting that public money may have inadvertently supported activities that violate international law.
Calls for Official Investigation
Ward submitted a formal letter to the regulator calling for a comprehensive investigation into the organizations involved. She argued that the funding of activities that maintain or expand Israeli settlements in the state of Palestine acts as a major barrier to peace. According to Ward, if these donations were processed with gift aid, taxpayers would have effectively subsidized these settlements by an estimated £5.6 million. She characterized this potential misuse of charitable status as a situation that is deplorable and not of benefit to the UK public.
The foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, confirmed that the government has tasked the Charity Commission with examining the links between domestic charities and these settlements. The regulator stated that it is actively considering the serious matters raised by Ward, emphasizing that it is reviewing the wider legal and compliance issues surrounding charities operating in the region. A spokesperson for the commission noted the complexity of the situation, stating that it is right to take the necessary time to consider the claims fully.
Documented Financial Links
The report highlighted several specific organizations, including the Kasner Charitable Trust and UK Toremet. Records indicated these entities previously contributed approximately £5.7 million to the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva high school located in Susya within the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Further analysis of financial documents revealed that Kasner also provided funds to a yeshiva in the Palestinian city of Hebron. Additionally, UK Toremet reportedly donated over £38,000 in 2022 to Regavim, an organization described as an extremist pro-settler group.
Representatives for the charities defended their activities during the inquiry. A spokesperson for UK Toremet stated that the Charity Commission previously found the organization to be compliant with the law. They maintained that they only process payments through the Jgive platform after conducting due diligence to ensure projects meet charitable purposes. Regarding the donation to Regavim, the spokesperson clarified that the funds were designated for a project located within Israel’s pre-1967 borders and stated that Regavim is no longer an approved recipient under their grant-making framework.
Impact on Palestinian Communities
The human cost of these financial streams remains a central concern for those living in the West Bank. Yaser Alkam, a Palestinian-American resident of Turmus Ayya, emphasized the direct link between these donations and the difficulties faced by local landowners.
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.”
The ongoing debate centers on whether the provision of funds to support such settlements aligns with the requirements of charitable status. Ward insisted that such financial support does not comply with international law, noting that the position is supported by the United Nations and findings from the international court of justice.