英国慈善委员会已启动官方调查，针对英格兰和威尔士的慈善机构向以色列非法定居点进行的资金转移。[1]这项调查由工党议员梅兰妮·沃德的正式投诉引发，她指控至少32家英国慈善机构向国际法下非法的以色列定居点捐赠了至少2800万英镑。[1]委员会初步将调查8家未具名慈善机构，随后计划扩大调查范围。[1]
投诉所列举的具体案例包括两家英国慈善机构向位于被占领领土苏西亚的本内·阿基瓦耶希瓦高中转账约570万英镑，以及英国慈善机构在2019至2024年间向希伯伦的耶希瓦学校捐赠近20万英镑。[1]时任外交大臣伊维特·库珀曾在议会表示担忧，英国的税收优惠制度可能被滥用于向非法定居点提供资金。[1]慈善委员会助理主任斯蒂芬·罗克表示，委员会将在建立事实基础后确定是否需要采取监管措施。[1]
The Charity Commission for England and Wales has opened an official investigation into charitable donations directed toward Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law.[1] The inquiry was initiated following a formal complaint by Labour MP Melanie Ward, who alleged that at least 32 English and Welsh charities have transferred a minimum of £28 million to such settlements.[1]
The Commission will begin by examining eight unnamed charities and has signaled its intention to broaden the investigation subsequently.[1] Among the specific cases identified, two UK charitable organizations have transferred approximately £5.7 million to Benei Akiva Yeshiva High School in Sussiya, located in occupied Palestinian territory.[1] Additionally, British charities have donated nearly £200,000 to a yeshiva school in Hebron between 2019 and 2024.[1]
The investigation reflects growing concern about potential abuse of Britain's tax relief system for charitable giving. Former Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed worry in Parliament that UK tax advantages were being leveraged to fund illegal settlements.[1] Stephen Rock, Assistant Director of the Charity Commission, stated that the organization would establish a factual foundation before determining whether regulatory action is warranted.[1]