The Inquiry Initially Focuses on Eight Unnamed Charities, With Plans to Expand

The Charity Commission has launched an official investigation into charities in England and Wales that donated funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. The regulator will determine the amount of charitable funds involved, whether spending furthered charitable purposes, and what regulatory action may be needed. The probe follows a formal complaint by Labour MP Melanie Ward, who said 32 charities had donated at least £28m to settlements illegal under international law.

The inquiry initially focuses on eight unnamed charities, with plans to expand. Stephen Roake, assistant director for high risk compliance, said the commission must first establish the facts before deciding on regulatory action. In June, then foreign secretary Yvette Cooper told parliament she had asked the regulator to investigate, citing concerns about gift aid being funnelled to illegal settlements.

Ward and 140 Labour colleagues have called for a ban rather than an inquiry. The commission has shared information with police and HMRC, though the Metropolitan police's war crimes unit is not currently investigating. Last month, the Guardian revealed Friends of Yeshivat Shavei Hevron sent nearly £200,000 to a school in Hebron between 2019 and 2024. Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed said the commission must investigate all 32 charities and move quickly to stamp out the practice, calling it extremist activity linked to Palestinian dispossession. Our fact-finding will also help us develop regulatory guidance for charities, which will to help ensure public trust and confidence in charities.