Newly released documents from the UK National Archives reveal that former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s administration resisted significant pressure from "Israel" to ban Interpal, a UK-based charity known for its humanitarian work with Palestinians across the occupied territories and the region.

Despite Israeli claims that Interpal was "funneling money to Hamas," the Blair government maintained that there was no legal basis to act against the organization.

Interpal, established in 1994, operates as a non-political charity delivering relief to impoverished Palestinian communities in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Jordan. Although registered with the UK Charity Commission, "Israel" banned the charity in 1997. In 2003, the US designated Interpal a "terrorist organization", accusing it of supporting both political and military wings of Hamas.

UK declines to act on 2004 Israeli request

In 2004, Israeli officials pressed the UK to take action against Interpal, but British authorities declined, citing a lack of evidence. Internal briefings for Blair, then-Foreign Secretary, and senior officials made it clear that “even if Hamas was banned, action against Interpal would be taken ‘only if we have appropriate evidence that it sends funds to Hamas after it is proscribed.’”

During a March 2004 visit to London, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom was told that the UK could not legally act against Interpal unless Hamas was fully proscribed. British officials emphasized that any such move required rigorous legal scrutiny.

Briefing notes show that the Home Office, Treasury, and Charity Commission were already assessing next steps in case the full designation of Hamas proceeded. British officials informed the Israelis that any enforcement against Interpal would depend on “a list of entities operating in the West Bank and Gaza linked to Hamas and known to have received funding from international charities.” "Israel" reportedly agreed to assist in compiling such a list.

Shalom was reassured that the UK was actively working on freezing assets tied to Hamas leaders and banning the group altogether, but British officials stressed the need to follow due process.

Interpal cleared by UK Investigations

From 1996 to 2009, the Charity Commission conducted three full investigations into Interpal. In each case, the charity was cleared of wrongdoing, with no evidence found linking it to terrorism or misuse of donations.

A separate pre-meeting briefing confirmed that Home Office lawyers and MI5 were also analyzing the case, and that “Israel was being kept closely informed at the official level of progress.” Israeli intelligence had provided what the British called “very useful information,” aiding the UK’s deliberations on proscription.

Between 2005 and 2019, Interpal won several defamation lawsuits against prominent UK media outlets and pro-"Israel" organizations. These included The Jerusalem Post, Daily Mail, Jewish Chronicle, and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, with damages exceeding £200,000. In 2010, the High Court ruled that claiming Interpal supported Hamas was libelous.

2003 US designation cripples the charity

Nevertheless, the 2003 US designation crippled the charity financially. British banks, under pressure, shut down Interpal’s accounts, making it nearly impossible to collect donations. Annual income plummeted from £5 million in 2010 to less than £93,000 by 2023, leading the group to suspend most of its programs.

Today, Interpal says it is focused on “empowering Palestinians to face their challenges,” particularly in Gaza, the West Bank, and refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon. Its current activities center on advocacy, capacity-building for partner organizations, and raising awareness about the Palestinian humanitarian crisis.

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