UK Charity Commission probes charities for funding illegal Israeli settlements

The Charity Commission for England and Wales has opened a formal investigation into eight unnamed charities after a complaint by Labour MP Melanie Ward alleged that they channeled at least £28 million to Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law. The probe will assess how much charitable money was sent, whether the spending aligns with the charities’ purposes, and if assets or beneficiaries are at risk.

Commission officials said the inquiry will gather facts before deciding on any regulatory action, which could include freezing accounts, disqualifying trustees or issuing official warnings. Stephen Roake, assistant director of high‑risk compliance, stated, “Serious allegations have been made about UK charities operating in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine, so our first step is to establish the facts.” The regulator plans to publish a report with its findings and may develop sector‑wide guidance to maintain public trust.