UK charity officially warned over fundraising for Israeli soldier
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The Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex has faced 180 complaints over their fundraising efforts for an Israeli soldier stationed in northern "Israel".
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A fire burns in a building targeted by an Israeli air strike in Beirut’s southern Suburb of Chiah, on October 22, 2024. (AFP)
The UK's Charity Commission has formally warned a London-based charity after raising funds to support an Israeli soldier stationed in northern "Israel" amid the brutal war on Lebanon.
The Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Limited launched a fundraising campaign in October 2023, collecting approximately £2,280. Of this, £937 was sent directly to the soldier, while the remainder was used to purchase "non-lethal military equipment" for the same individual.
The Charity Commission received over 180 complaints regarding the fundraiser and concluded that the charity’s trustees had acted outside its stated purposes, compromising its reputation and best interests. Helen Earner, the Commission's Director for Regulatory Services, stated, “It is not lawful, or acceptable, for a charity to raise funds to support a soldier of a foreign military.”
In response, the charity admitted to having “exceeded its purposes” and expressed appreciation for the Commission’s guidance to avoid similar issues in the future.
The trustees are now required to take corrective measures, ensuring all activities align with the charity’s objectives and implementing robust risk management policies. Failure to comply could lead to further regulatory actions.
This case is part of a broader effort by the Charity Commission, which has opened over 200 cases related to the Israeli wars in Gaza and Lebanon since October 2023. More than 40 of these cases have resulted in referrals to the police.
It is worth noting that "Israel" killed over 3,000 Lebanese people and injured over 13,819 since October last year in its brutal aggression on Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces continue to violate the ceasefire agreement reached with Lebanon, reached on November 27, moving troops and vehicles within Lebanese towns and villages and carrying out several airstrikes, killing and injuring several people.
Meanwhile, the Israeli genocide in Gaza continues unabated for 464 days, killing over 46,000 people mainly children and women and turning the strip into rubble.
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