Is aid being misused to fund terrorism?
Many media outlets carried a story on 2nd August that the director of World Vision’s programme of relief and development in Gaza had been arrested by the Israeli security services, and accused of channelling millions of dollars of aid to Hamas for military purposes. The key elements are summarised here: World Vision’s Gaza manager charged with supporting Hamas militants, by Mark Woods, Christian Today.
World Vision’s senior leadership appeared to know nothing about the allegations until the story broke.
An editorial from the Barnabas Fund suggests that some Islamist groups have been misusing aid in this way, although there is no suggestion that World Vision have been complicit:
Is Hamas using money given by Christians to fund terrorism? From Barnabas Fund website.
A statement by the CEO of World Vision International on August 8th emphasises “commitment to truth and transparency”, condemns terrorism, and questions the lack of evidence behind the allegations. It would be “a tragedy” if life-saving work among the most vulnerable around the world were to be jeopardised by this incident, the statement concludes.
An article in an Israeli newspaper goes further, suggesting that the accusations may have been fabricated as part of a breakdown in often tense relationships between Israel, Hamas and aid agencies:
Israel’s charges against World Vision: credible charges or political ploy? By Amira Hass, Ha-aretz [£]
Further updates will follow as more news becomes available.
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