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Supporting the UK's stance on charity funding in illegal Israeli settlements

Published July 7, 2026 at 2:53 AM UTC

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The recent revelations about UK charities funding institutions within illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have sparked significant concern and debate. The UK's position on this matter is clear and longstanding: Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal under international law and pose a substantial obstacle to achieving a two-state solution. The UK government, along with the Charity Commission, expects charities to operate lawfully, in line with their charitable purposes, and for the public benefit. The funding of institutions within these settlements by UK charities raises serious questions about compliance with charity law and the integrity of the charitable sector. The Charity Commission has been urged to investigate these activities to ensure that charitable funds are not being used to support or facilitate activities that contravene international law. The UK government's stance is further reinforced by the Foreign Secretary's statement that "charity systems are abused to funnel support to illegal settlements," indicating a recognition of the potential misuse of charitable funds in this context. The involvement of UK charities in funding institutions within illegal settlements not only undermines international law but also risks being materially and financially used in pursuance of breaches of international law. The international community, including the UK, has a responsibility to ensure that charitable activities do not contribute to the perpetuation of illegal settlements and the associated human rights violations. The situation in Hebron, where a British charity is funding a religious school at the heart of an illegal settlement expansion, exemplifies the complexities and challenges in addressing this issue. The expansion plans, including the construction of a new dormitory for the yeshiva, have been approved unilaterally by Israeli authorities, further complicating the situation. The UK's position is that no UK charity should be supporting such settlements, and the Charity Commission has been tasked with investigating these links to ensure compliance with UK and international law. The involvement of UK charities in funding institutions within illegal settlements not only raises legal and ethical questions but also has broader implications for the UK's foreign policy and its commitment to international law and human rights. It is imperative that the UK government and the Charity Commission take decisive action to address these concerns and uphold the principles of justice and international law.