Overview
- The Charity Commission has launched a statutory class inquiry to establish whether UK charities have applied funds or other resources within illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.
- The inquiry is a fact-finding exercise and is not a finding of wrongdoing; the regulator will examine whether spending met charity law and trustees’ duties.
- The Commission has prioritised eight unnamed charities for initial fact-finding after assessing risk factors such as partner locations and recent activity.
- The regulator has disclosed specific concerns to the police and HM Revenue & Customs and may use statutory protective or regulatory powers if charity assets or beneficiaries are at risk.
- The inquiry may be widened to include more charities and will conclude with a published report that could set new guidance for charities and, if appropriate, name organisations and outline regulatory actions.