Loading ...World Vision Cleared From Israel Claim of Aiding Hamas
BY: Diego Reyes/Contributing Writer
World Vision, a Christian charity that provides humanitarian relief all around the globe, has been cleared of providing funds to Hamas by the Australian government.
Last year, Israel accused World Vision of sending funds to Hamas with the goal of shutting them down due to the fact that they were helping the Palestinian people.
Australia’s public broadcaster, ABC, reported on Tuesday that “the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says an internal review into World Vision funding in Gaza has uncovered nothing to suggest any diversion of government aid funding Hamas.”This made Tim Costello, head of World Vision Australia, very content.
This made Tim Costello, head of World Vision Australia, very content.“So far, our own ongoing forensic audit has not uncovered any money subverted and to hear DFAT say their investigation hasn’t either is consistent and is very good news,” Costello told ABC.
“So far, our own ongoing forensic audit has not uncovered any money subverted and to hear DFAT say their investigation hasn’t either is consistent and is very good news,” Costello told ABC.Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency arrested World Vision’s Gaza director Mohammed El Halabi in June 2016, accusing him of diverting tens of millions of dollars to Hamas’ military wing. According to his lawyer,
Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency arrested World Vision’s Gaza director Mohammed El Halabi in June 2016, accusing him of diverting tens of millions of dollars to Hamas’ military wing. According to his lawyer, El Halabi had been tortured during weeks of the Israeli interrogation.The Christian charity rejected all of Israel’s allegations, claiming that the alleged sums far exceeded its entire program budget in Gaza. These allegations led to the Australian government suspending its funding for World Vision’s work in Palestine and beginning an investigation.
The Christian charity rejected all of Israel’s allegations, claiming that the alleged sums far exceeded its entire program budget in Gaza. These allegations led to the Australian government suspending its funding for World Vision’s work in Palestine and beginning an investigation.When the trial began in August of last year, human rights defenders condemned Israel’s use of secret proceedings.
When the trial began in August of last year, human rights defenders condemned Israel’s use of secret proceedings.“Secret trials are the most flagrant violation of the right to a public hearing. Holding these court proceedings behind closed doors would render any convictions obtained unsound,” said Magdalena Mughrabi of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa program.
“Secret trials are the most flagrant violation of the right to a public hearing. Holding these court proceedings behind closed doors would render any convictions obtained unsound,” said Magdalena Mughrabi of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa program.The Australian government’s findings deal another blow to Israel’s smear campaigns against humanitarian organizations providing aid to Palestinians in need.
The Australian government’s findings deal another blow to Israel’s smear campaigns against humanitarian organizations providing aid to Palestinians in need.
