The FBI alleges the Al-Khair Foundation channelled funds to Hamas, prompting inquiries by the Metropolitan Police and the Charity Commission. Official records show the charity received at least £9m in Gift Aid since 2021; the organisation has distanced itself from the individual the FBI names as a key figure. The case has sparked broader concerns about oversight of British charities and whether stronger safeguards are needed to prevent funds reaching hostile actors.
FBI Alleges British Charity Channelled Funds To Hamas — Calls Mount For Tougher Oversight
A billboard of Hamas' slain leader Yahya Sinwar - Shutterstock
The FBI has alleged that the British charity Al-Khair Foundation was used to channel funds to Hamas, the group responsible for the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. The claim has prompted investigations by UK authorities and renewed scrutiny of charity oversight.
What We Know
Official records indicate Al-Khair Foundation has received at least £9 million in Gift Aid from UK taxpayers since 2021. The Metropolitan Police are conducting a broad inquiry into alleged terrorism financing, and the Charity Commission has opened a statutory investigation. The charity has sought to distance itself from its so-called "global director," Mohammad Yousef Hasna, whom the FBI identifies as a central figure in the allegations.
Questions Raised
These allegations raise difficult questions about why concerns were not identified earlier and whether any UK donor funds were diverted to extremist activity. The case also sits within a wider debate about whether some UK charities have been used to promote extremism or anti-Semitism, and whether certain organisations have inappropriate links with hostile foreign states.
Political Context And Policy Options
Ministers now face pressure to explain what steps they will take to ensure British charities are not providing support to hostile actors. The debate follows recent government action on charitable tax relief — notably the removal of mandatory business-rate relief for independent schools — showing ministers are prepared to alter tax concessions when public or political concerns arise.
Next Steps And Implications
Investigations by the Met and the Charity Commission will determine the strength of the allegations and whether legal or regulatory action is required. Independent reviews of Gift Aid safeguards, enhanced transparency requirements for international transactions, and closer cooperation with international law enforcement are among the policy responses under consideration.
Note: The allegations reported by the FBI are subject to investigation in the UK. No criminal findings have yet been announced against the charity in relation to these specific claims.
As inquiries proceed, MPs, regulators and donors will be watching closely for evidence, accountability and proposals to strengthen protections against misuse of charitable funds.
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