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Photo: Herzl Yosef
El-Halabi
Photo: Herzl Yosef

Australia finds no proof its World Vision aid went to Hamas

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs said funding would remain suspended while Israeli charges against Mohammad El-Halabi remain unresolved; Shin Bet alleges El-Halabi created fictitious humanitarian projects to get the funds to Hamas.

The Australian government said Thursday it had found no evidence that any of its donations to the Christian charity World Vision had been siphoned to the Islamic militant group Hamas.

 

 

However, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said its World Vision funding in Gaza would remain suspended while Israeli charges against the global aid agency's Gaza manager Mohammad El-Halabi remain unresolved.

 

Mohammad El Halabi (Photo: Herzl Yosef) (Photo: Herzl Yosef)
Mohammad El Halabi (Photo: Herzl Yosef)

 

"DFAT has reviewed the management of its funding to World Vision in the Palestinian Territories. The review uncovered nothing to suggest any diversion of government funds," the department said in a statement.

 

"Australia's funding to World Vision in the Palestinian Territories remains suspended until we have considered the outcomes of the court case against Mr. El-Halabi and reviews being undertaken by World Vision Australia and World Vision International into this issue," it added.

 

Australia is the biggest single donor to World Vision's humanitarian work in Gaza, providing more than $2 million in the past three years.

 

Photo: El-Halabi in Gaza
Photo: El-Halabi in Gaza

 

Australia and Germany suspended funding in August after Israeli authorities charged El-Halabi with diverting around $50 million to Hamas to help build tunnels and purchase weapons.

 

Shin Bet alleged El-Halabi created fictitious humanitarian projects to get the funds to Hamas.

 

The Shin Bet further alleged that El-Halabi underwent Hamas training in the early 2000s and was "planted" by the group in World Vision in 2005, where he climbed the ranks to become director of the Gaza branch.

 

El-Halabi has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

 

The Israeli Justice Ministry declined to comment on El-Halabi's case because his trial was ongoing.

 

World Vision welcomed Australia's findings, adding that its own ongoing audit had not yet raised concerns about how money was spent.

World Vision's work in Gaza has been suspended pending the outcome of that audit.

 

"We remain deeply concerned with this situation, and are saddened by the impact on Gaza's children and their families," a World Vision statement said. 

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.30.17, 11:47
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