UK Charity Commission Investigates Funding for Illegal Israeli Settlements

The Charity Commission for England and Wales has launched an official investigation into UK charities donating funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. The inquiry initially focuses on eight unnamed organizations to determine the volume of funds transferred and whether such spending aligns with legal charitable purposes. The regulator has shared the scope of the probe with the police and HMRC, though the Metropolitan Police war crimes unit is not currently investigating the donations.

The investigation follows a formal complaint by Labour MP Melanie Ward, who alleged that 32 charities donated at least £28 million to these settlements. This action follows reports from the Guardian and warnings from former Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who told parliament that charity systems were being abused to provide support and tax relief to illegal settlements. Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed has further urged the commission to expand its scope to all 32 suspected organizations.

Specific cases highlighted include the charity Friends of Yeshivat Shavei Hevron, which sent nearly £200,000 to a religious school in Hebron between 2019 and 2024. This development coincides with actions by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who broke an international agreement regarding the control of Hebron to grant Israel planning authority.