Eight UK charities investigated over alleged funding of illegal Israeli settlements

The UK's Charity Commission has begun an investigation into eight charities suspected of funding illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. This marks the first formal inquiry into the use of charitable funds for settlements in the West Bank, an area deemed illegal under international law. Labour MP Melanie Ward sparked the inquiry by formally complaining that 32 charities in England and Wales had allegedly transferred at least £28 million to these settlements.

The Commission will initially focus on these eight unnamed organisations but expects the investigation to expand. Melanie Ward, now a backbench MP, argued that funding illegal settlements does not meet charitable criteria and hampers peace prospects. Commission's Assistant Director Stephen Roake stated that the inquiry aims to establish the facts before determining if regulatory action is necessary.

The investigation will examine the purpose of the spending and whether the funds were used beyond the charities' stated objectives. Findings will be shared with the police and a report could name the involved charities. The inquiry comes amid growing political pressure for the regulator to act, following complaints from Labour MP Yvette Cooper and calls for a ban on charitable donations to settlements.

This investigation follows several other investigations into UK charities operating in the occupied territories, including cases where charities transferred funds to religious schools in settlements like Susya and Hebron. Labour MP John Slinger welcomed the investigation, emphasizing that British organizations should not engage with Israeli settlers undermining the two-state solution.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also hinted at potential trade sanctions for goods from the occupied West Bank.