Israeli charges based on ‘huge gap’ in numbers

Last Thursday Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, indicted the director of World Vision in the Gaza strip for siphoning off millions in charity money and funneling it to Hamas.

According to the Shin Bet, el-Halabi crafted an elaborate scheme to funnel funds, food, medical supplies and agricultural equipment to Hamas.

The rally-goers gathered outside the World Vision headquarters in Gaza City, lifting the pictures of activist al-Halabi.

Save the Children on Monday said it was looking into Israeli claims that a Palestinian staff member in Gaza had been recruited by Hamas, days after allegations against another global NGO.

“There is a huge gap in these numbers the Israeli government is telling and what we know”, Holten told the AP.

World Vision added that al-Halabi has worked with the group for 10 years, and that they have “no reason to believe” the allegations against their employee are true. Building supplies meant to support farming projects were transferred to Hamas for constructing tunnels and military installations, according to the Shin Bet.

“We are suspending the provision of further funding to World Vision for programs in the Palestinian Territories until the investigation is complete”, the DFAT said.

Halabi’s attorney Mohammed Mahmoud told Haaretz on Thursday his client denies any links to Hamas, and that the fact the investigation has lasted 55 days proves there’s a problem with the evidence.

Australia has suspended donations to World Vision’s projects in the Palestinian territories. The money was used for weapons, “terror” tunnels into Israel, a Hamas military base and militants’ salaries. Darshan-Leitner said she is exploring suing World Vision in the United States for aiding and abetting terrorism. He called for a fair and transparent trial.

Despite Nahshon’s claim, however, Holten said World Vision’s budget includes all in-kind donations.

According to the charge sheet, Halabi recruited a Palestinian aid worker from Save the Children to join Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, in 2014.

World Vision also said in a statement it was “shocked” by Israel’s allegations and that it had regular internal and independent audits and evaluations as well as a broad range of internal controls to ensure aid reached intended beneficiaries.

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