A political storm is brewing after claims that charities in England and Wales have channelled at least £28 million to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, prompting calls for regulatory action and a formal investigation.

The allegations have triggered fresh scrutiny of how charitable funds are raised and spent, with ministers now facing pressure over whether UK taxpayers indirectly helped finance activities widely regarded as illegal under international law.

MP Raises Alarm Over Millions in Donations

Labour MP Melanie Ward has accused 32 charities of supporting Israeli settlements through donations made over recent years. She argues that if Gift Aid was claimed on those contributions, taxpayers may have effectively subsidised the activity by an estimated £5.6 million.

In a letter to the Charity Commission, Ward called for investigations into the organisations involved and urged regulators to consider removing them from the charity register.

Pressure Mounts on Watchdog

The controversy escalated after ministers tasked the Charity Commission with examining links between UK charities and settlement activity.

Ward argued that support for settlements cannot be considered charitable because settlements are widely viewed by the international community as a major obstacle to peace. She warned that charitable funds could be contributing to activities linked to alleged breaches of international law.

Named Charities Face Fresh Scrutiny

Among the organisations highlighted were the Kasner Charitable Trust and UK Toremet. Researchers cited by Ward claim the charities helped direct funds to educational institutions located in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Questions were also raised about donations linked to Regavim, a pro-settler organisation that has campaigned for the demolition of Palestinian structures. UK Toremet has said the relevant donation funded a project within Israel’s pre-1967 borders and that the organisation is no longer an approved recipient.

Human Cost Fuels Debate

For Palestinians living in the West Bank, the dispute extends far beyond regulatory compliance.

Yaser Alkam, a resident of Turmus Ayya, said financial support for settlements directly affects Palestinian communities on the ground. He argued that such funding helps sustain policies and actions that Palestinians say undermine their rights and livelihoods.

Investigation Could Have Wider Consequences

The Charity Commission said it is carefully considering the “serious matters” raised and acknowledged the issue is both complex and highly contentious.

Its findings could have implications far beyond the charities involved, potentially reshaping how UK regulators assess overseas activities, charitable status and compliance with international law in one of the world’s most politically charged conflicts.

Charities in England and Wales 'donate millions to illegal Israeli settlements'

Not just UK. In the US and Canada, a charity running TV adds (CarsforKids) had a bunch of kids playing instruments and with a jingle to donate your old car for the charity to help kids. However, it turned out to be a charity funneling the profits to pro-Zionist propaganda sites.

example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8UV7SAhvG4