British Charities Investigated over Funding for Illegal Israeli Settlements
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The UK charity regulator has launched an investigation into charities accused of channeling millions of pounds to illegal Israeli settlements.
Key Takeaways
- The Charity Commission has opened an investigation into charities accused of sending funds to illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
- The inquiry follows allegations that at least £28 million ($37.3 million) in charitable donations reached settlement organizations.
- The regulator will determine whether the spending breached charity law and whether enforcement action is warranted.
Regulator Opens Formal Investigation
The Charity Commission for England and Wales has launched a formal investigation into British charities accused of channeling funds to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, the Anadolu news agency reported on Wednesday.
The regulator said it will examine how much charitable funding reached settlements, whether those expenditures were consistent with the organizations’ stated charitable purposes, and whether regulatory action is required.
Announcing the inquiry on Wednesday, Stephen Roake, the commission’s assistant director of high-risk compliance, said the investigation would begin by establishing the facts before determining whether enforcement measures are necessary.
“Serious allegations have been made about UK charities operating in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine, so our first step is to establish the facts,” Roake said.
“Our fact-finding will also help us develop regulatory guidance for charities, which will help ensure public trust and confidence in charities,” he added.
Millions Sent to Settlements
The investigation follows reporting by The Guardian, which revealed last year that two UK charities transferred approximately £5.7 million ($7.6 million) to the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva high school in Susya, an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.
In June, Labour MP Melanie Ward submitted a formal complaint to the Charity Commission alleging that 32 charities registered in England and Wales had donated at least £28 million ($37.3 million) to organizations operating in illegal Israeli settlements.
According to The Guardian, the regulator’s investigation is a direct response to Ward’s complaint.
The commission said its initial inquiry will focus on eight unnamed charities identified in recent complaints. Investigators will examine the location of their partner organizations, the timing of the alleged activities and whether further regulatory action is necessary.
The watchdog added that it may publicly identify the charities once its findings are released and intends to widen the investigation to include additional organizations over time.
The commission also confirmed that it has shared information regarding the inquiry with police and HM Revenue and Customs. However, the Metropolitan Police’s war crimes unit said it is not currently investigating charities over donations linked to illegal settlements.
Growing Political Pressure
Pressure for an investigation has intensified in recent months.
In June, then-Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Parliament she had asked the Charity Commission to investigate allegations that “charity systems are abused to funnel support to illegal settlements,” adding that evidence suggested charity rules may have been breached and expressing concern that UK Gift Aid tax relief could be benefiting settlement projects.
Ward argued that an investigation alone is insufficient, saying she and 140 Labour MPs support legislation banning charitable funding for illegal settlements altogether.
She also criticized the commission for failing to act sooner, telling Parliament that the regulator had been aware of allegations concerning settlement donations since July last year but “has done nothing so far.”
According to the Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now, there are currently 141 settlements and 360 outposts in the occupied West Bank, in addition to 15 settlements in occupied East Jerusalem.
The settlements are considered illegal under international law. UN Security Council Resolution 2334 states that Israeli settlements established in territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have “no legal validity” and constitute a “flagrant violation” of international law.
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory illegal and calling for the evacuation of all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
