Charity Commission Chairman William Shawcross of the Henry Jackson Society Ignores Charity Funding of Terrorist Settlements – Because they are Zionist not
Muslim
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| Helping Apartheid is a Charitable Objective |
In 2012 the Tory/Lib coalition appointed William
Shawcross as Chairman of the Charity Commission, the body charged with
overseeing Britain’s 300,000+ charities.
Shawcross, in addition to the Government fluff about his experience is
also a member of the Henry Jackson Society, a cold-war, pro-Zionist political
outfit. This has coloured the operation
of the charity commission since his appointment.
Shawcross as Chairman of the Charity Commission, the body charged with
overseeing Britain’s 300,000+ charities.
Shawcross, in addition to the Government fluff about his experience is
also a member of the Henry Jackson Society, a cold-war, pro-Zionist political
outfit. This has coloured the operation
of the charity commission since his appointment.
Shawcross has led an unprecedented attack on
Islamic charities as part of the Government’s overall attack on Muslims in
Britain as ‘terrorist’. It has
instructed charities not to fund the Cage pressure group which supports
detainees abroad (something which is at present subject to Judicial Review).
Islamic charities as part of the Government’s overall attack on Muslims in
Britain as ‘terrorist’. It has
instructed charities not to fund the Cage pressure group which supports
detainees abroad (something which is at present subject to Judicial Review).
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| Toremet’s Founder Stood for the Most Racist Jewish Home Party in the Knesset |
At the same time a host of scandals has grown up
around the activities of a number of charities which have been literally
mugging vulnerable people and pensioners for contributions.
around the activities of a number of charities which have been literally
mugging vulnerable people and pensioners for contributions.
The Charity Commission has a history of
supporting Zionist organisations. Two
years ago I was one of a number of Jewish people who was party to a challenge
to the registering of JNF UK as a charity, even though the JNF deliberately
discriminates between Israeli Arabs and Jews.
The former have no access to the land that they help purchase. Because we could not demonstrate that we had
standing, i.e. were particularly affected by the JNF’s activities, we were
unable to progress the case. This is a
legal filter mechanism that the courts use to prevent challenges to the illegal
practices of organisations. The Court
therefore never got to rule on the
substantive question.
supporting Zionist organisations. Two
years ago I was one of a number of Jewish people who was party to a challenge
to the registering of JNF UK as a charity, even though the JNF deliberately
discriminates between Israeli Arabs and Jews.
The former have no access to the land that they help purchase. Because we could not demonstrate that we had
standing, i.e. were particularly affected by the JNF’s activities, we were
unable to progress the case. This is a
legal filter mechanism that the courts use to prevent challenges to the illegal
practices of organisations. The Court
therefore never got to rule on the
substantive question.
Toremet goes even further. Its funding is being used to support
settlements which are illegal in international law, established on confiscated Palestinian
land and which, as a matter of course, don’t include Palestinians.
settlements which are illegal in international law, established on confiscated Palestinian
land and which, as a matter of course, don’t include Palestinians.
Of course this is at one with Shawcross’s
far-right views but it demonstrates the contempt for the law that our ruling
class has.
far-right views but it demonstrates the contempt for the law that our ruling
class has.
Tony Greenstein
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| Charity Commission Chairman and extreme right-winger William Shawcross approves of Zionist charities funding illegal settlements – Islamic charities are his main target |
Ben
White, Memo, 25 September 2015 11:00
White, Memo, 25 September 2015 11:00
UK Toremet’s
CEO and founder Jonny Cline previously ran on the Jewish Home’s list in
Israel’s 2013 municipal elections. Jewish Home, headed by Naftali Bennett,
wants to annex most of the West Bank
CEO and founder Jonny Cline previously ran on the Jewish Home’s list in
Israel’s 2013 municipal elections. Jewish Home, headed by Naftali Bennett,
wants to annex most of the West Bank
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| Toremet’s Facebook Page |
A
UK charity is acting as a conduit for donations to Israeli settlements in the
West Bank, it has been revealed, prompting calls for action from the Charity
Commission.UK Toremet receives donations on behalf of what it calls ‘recipient agencies’, organisations or charities in Israel and elsewhere,
who donors wish to support.
UK charity is acting as a conduit for donations to Israeli settlements in the
West Bank, it has been revealed, prompting calls for action from the Charity
Commission.UK Toremet receives donations on behalf of what it calls ‘recipient agencies’, organisations or charities in Israel and elsewhere,
who donors wish to support.
Among
the list of approved recipients are several groups operating in, or for the
benefit of, Israeli settlements. These colonies are deemed illegal under
international law, and are at the heart of a regime of discrimination and
segregation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
the list of approved recipients are several groups operating in, or for the
benefit of, Israeli settlements. These colonies are deemed illegal under
international law, and are at the heart of a regime of discrimination and
segregation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
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| Toremet puts out the begging bowl for Israel’s murderous settlers – courtesy of the Charity Commission |
One
recipient is the Yeshiva High School for Environmental Studies at Susya, a settlement whose Palestinian ‘neighbours’
have suffered expulsions and dispossession (and may again). The school
claims to be home to “some of the finest sons of religious Zionism in Israel.”
recipient is the Yeshiva High School for Environmental Studies at Susya, a settlement whose Palestinian ‘neighbours’
have suffered expulsions and dispossession (and may again). The school
claims to be home to “some of the finest sons of religious Zionism in Israel.”
Another
recipient agency, Shavei Chevron, is a religious school built in the heart of Hebron
in the Occupied West Bank. “Guarded like a fortress by army troops”, according
to The Times of Israel, it is “one of the reasons that the IDF decided to
close off the route to Palestinian traffic of all sorts.”
recipient agency, Shavei Chevron, is a religious school built in the heart of Hebron
in the Occupied West Bank. “Guarded like a fortress by army troops”, according
to The Times of Israel, it is “one of the reasons that the IDF decided to
close off the route to Palestinian traffic of all sorts.”
Under
UK law, “a charity must not provide funding or support to an organisation that
exposes beneficiaries to extremist views”, even if “the charity’s funding or support is
applied for legitimate charitable activities.” Extremism is defined as “vocal
or active opposition” to values like “democracy, the rule of law, individual
liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.”
UK law, “a charity must not provide funding or support to an organisation that
exposes beneficiaries to extremist views”, even if “the charity’s funding or support is
applied for legitimate charitable activities.” Extremism is defined as “vocal
or active opposition” to values like “democracy, the rule of law, individual
liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.”
Other
recipient agencies include the Efrat Development Foundation, established “for the benefit of the residents of
Efrat”, an Israeli settlement in the southern West Bank. Donations can also be made
to the Gush Etzion Foundation, which supports some 20 settlements south of
Jerusalem and works to
maintain “maximum Jewish presence in the region.”
recipient agencies include the Efrat Development Foundation, established “for the benefit of the residents of
Efrat”, an Israeli settlement in the southern West Bank. Donations can also be made
to the Gush Etzion Foundation, which supports some 20 settlements south of
Jerusalem and works to
maintain “maximum Jewish presence in the region.”
All
Israeli settlements established in the OPT are considered illegal under
international law, a consensus position shared by the British government, the
European Union, the United Nations, and the International Court of Justice in
The Hague.
Israeli settlements established in the OPT are considered illegal under
international law, a consensus position shared by the British government, the
European Union, the United Nations, and the International Court of Justice in
The Hague.
In
addition to being a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel’s
settlements policy is “inherently discriminatory”, in the words of Amnesty International, and
“perpetuates violations against Palestinians” such as “infringing their rights
to adequate housing, water and livelihoods.”
addition to being a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel’s
settlements policy is “inherently discriminatory”, in the words of Amnesty International, and
“perpetuates violations against Palestinians” such as “infringing their rights
to adequate housing, water and livelihoods.”
As
Amnesty UK Campaign Manager Kristyan Benedict told me, “the presence and
relentless expansion of settlements has led to mass violations of human rights
of the local Palestinian population.” He added that “the often violent
take-over of more and more Palestinian land for illegal settlements amounts to
a war crime.”
Amnesty UK Campaign Manager Kristyan Benedict told me, “the presence and
relentless expansion of settlements has led to mass violations of human rights
of the local Palestinian population.” He added that “the often violent
take-over of more and more Palestinian land for illegal settlements amounts to
a war crime.”
The
UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has stated
that Israeli settlements in the OPT “are not only illegal under international
law but are an obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights by the whole
population, without distinction as to national or ethnic origin.”
UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has stated
that Israeli settlements in the OPT “are not only illegal under international
law but are an obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights by the whole
population, without distinction as to national or ethnic origin.”
Asked
whether settlements should benefit from charitable donations, UK Toremet’s CEO
and founder Jonny Cline said that “the law on charity and the definition of
charitable activity does concentrate upon the content rather than the
geographical locus of activity.” Since “education is education and welfare is
welfare”, he added, recipients take part in charitable activity “for all
nationalities, religions and genders, anywhere.”
whether settlements should benefit from charitable donations, UK Toremet’s CEO
and founder Jonny Cline said that “the law on charity and the definition of
charitable activity does concentrate upon the content rather than the
geographical locus of activity.” Since “education is education and welfare is
welfare”, he added, recipients take part in charitable activity “for all
nationalities, religions and genders, anywhere.”
Pressed
further if philanthropic values are compatible with a regime of systematic
discrimination of which settlements are a core component, Cline said UK Toremet
merely facilitates “donors’ wishes to support the provision of services in
answer to human needs, wherever and for whomever they may be”, in line with the
definition of charitable according to UK law.”
further if philanthropic values are compatible with a regime of systematic
discrimination of which settlements are a core component, Cline said UK Toremet
merely facilitates “donors’ wishes to support the provision of services in
answer to human needs, wherever and for whomever they may be”, in line with the
definition of charitable according to UK law.”
He
added: “We try not to lose that thread, for to do so would be to put ourselves
as the judge and jury, differentiating between blood and blood, tears and
tears. Philanthropy and charity are human issues that are to be found on all
sides of any human paradigm, sometimes this is complicated.”
added: “We try not to lose that thread, for to do so would be to put ourselves
as the judge and jury, differentiating between blood and blood, tears and
tears. Philanthropy and charity are human issues that are to be found on all
sides of any human paradigm, sometimes this is complicated.”
UK
Toremet also facilitates donations to a number of Israel advocacy
organisations, such as UN Watch, The Israel Project, and Honest Reporting.
Toremet also facilitates donations to a number of Israel advocacy
organisations, such as UN Watch, The Israel Project, and Honest Reporting.
Recipient
agency Shurat HaDin, meanwhile, uses courts around the world “to go on the legal offensive”
against those it perceives to be “Israel’s enemies.” Its director has “privately admitted to taking direction from the Israeli government over
which cases to pursue.”
agency Shurat HaDin, meanwhile, uses courts around the world “to go on the legal offensive”
against those it perceives to be “Israel’s enemies.” Its director has “privately admitted to taking direction from the Israeli government over
which cases to pursue.”
Asked
to comment, Cline said the projects these organisations have asked to have supported
through UK Toremet “are in the areas of media monitoring, legal research,
education and human rights, all of which are charitable activity.”
to comment, Cline said the projects these organisations have asked to have supported
through UK Toremet “are in the areas of media monitoring, legal research,
education and human rights, all of which are charitable activity.”
The
aim of UK Toremet is “promoting the culture of philanthropy in the UK
by facilitating the fulfilment of aims deemed charitable by British law, in the
UK and abroad.” The charity “facilitate[s] tax-efficient online donations to
good causes around the world”, making it “easier to gift money to charities outside the UK by facilitating a UK tax
receipt and Gift Aid qualification.”
aim of UK Toremet is “promoting the culture of philanthropy in the UK
by facilitating the fulfilment of aims deemed charitable by British law, in the
UK and abroad.” The charity “facilitate[s] tax-efficient online donations to
good causes around the world”, making it “easier to gift money to charities outside the UK by facilitating a UK tax
receipt and Gift Aid qualification.”
Serving
as “a conduit
for charitable donations”, UK Toremet announced last year that it had distributed over £1 million in
its first three years of operation, and represents “over 250 carefully-vetted
Recipient Agencies.”
as “a conduit
for charitable donations”, UK Toremet announced last year that it had distributed over £1 million in
its first three years of operation, and represents “over 250 carefully-vetted
Recipient Agencies.”
Asked
about that vetting process, Cline explained that after a charity applies to be
recognised, “including specifying the programmatic area for which donations
will be used”, UK Toremet consults “independent 3rd party sources” – citing
Guidestar, the media, and charitable reporting documentation – before “a cause
is accepted.”
about that vetting process, Cline explained that after a charity applies to be
recognised, “including specifying the programmatic area for which donations
will be used”, UK Toremet consults “independent 3rd party sources” – citing
Guidestar, the media, and charitable reporting documentation – before “a cause
is accepted.”
According
to Cline, “there have been cases of charities refused support, and there have
been cases of charities that have specified specific programming that will be
supported by funds coming from UK Toremet.” The charity’s website states: “we
will not limit your (legal) choices.”
to Cline, “there have been cases of charities refused support, and there have
been cases of charities that have specified specific programming that will be
supported by funds coming from UK Toremet.” The charity’s website states: “we
will not limit your (legal) choices.”
Cline,
a self-described “social activist and entrepreneur”, moved to Israel from Britain at the age of 18, and performed his military service in the Israeli
army. He has worked as spokesperson for Ariel, a major West Bank settlement, and a former resident of Kiryat Netafim settlement.
a self-described “social activist and entrepreneur”, moved to Israel from Britain at the age of 18, and performed his military service in the Israeli
army. He has worked as spokesperson for Ariel, a major West Bank settlement, and a former resident of Kiryat Netafim settlement.
Cline
has also previously worked
for the Shomron Regional Authority, which provides municipal services to some 30
settlements in the northern West Bank. There he managed
projects for its then-head Benzi Lieberman, a man who told Jeffrey Goldberg in
2004 that “the Palestinians are Amalek.”
has also previously worked
for the Shomron Regional Authority, which provides municipal services to some 30
settlements in the northern West Bank. There he managed
projects for its then-head Benzi Lieberman, a man who told Jeffrey Goldberg in
2004 that “the Palestinians are Amalek.”
While
Cline has previously described himself as “an active member of the World Likud and
the Likud Party English Division”, in Israel’s 2013 municipal elections Cline ran on Jewish Home’s list for the Modi’in city council, narrowly missing out.
Jewish Home, headed by Naftali Bennett, wants to annex most of the West Bank. Cline has confirmed that he is currently a Jewish
Home member.
Cline has previously described himself as “an active member of the World Likud and
the Likud Party English Division”, in Israel’s 2013 municipal elections Cline ran on Jewish Home’s list for the Modi’in city council, narrowly missing out.
Jewish Home, headed by Naftali Bennett, wants to annex most of the West Bank. Cline has confirmed that he is currently a Jewish
Home member.
The
role played by UK Toremet in facilitating donations to projects based in or for
Israeli settlements raises a number of questions. For example, why can such
organisations benefit from British taxpayers’ money through the Gift Aid
system, when the UK government views such settlements as a violation of
international law and an obstacle to peace?
role played by UK Toremet in facilitating donations to projects based in or for
Israeli settlements raises a number of questions. For example, why can such
organisations benefit from British taxpayers’ money through the Gift Aid
system, when the UK government views such settlements as a violation of
international law and an obstacle to peace?
Asked
for comment, The Charity Commission noted that “charities can make grants for
charitable purposes to non-charitable bodies”, as long as “the recipient non
charitable organisations apply those funds for charitable purposes only.” The
spokesperson added: “When funding organisations based in the OPT, charities
must ensure they comply with the law of England and Wales.”
for comment, The Charity Commission noted that “charities can make grants for
charitable purposes to non-charitable bodies”, as long as “the recipient non
charitable organisations apply those funds for charitable purposes only.” The
spokesperson added: “When funding organisations based in the OPT, charities
must ensure they comply with the law of England and Wales.”
For
Chris Doyle, Director of Caabu (Council for Arab-British Understanding),
“serious questions need to be asked if any UK charity is channelling funding
into projects in settlements in the West Bank.” Since settlements are illegal
under international law, Doyle added, “charities have a duty not to assist in
the violation of such laws”, and urged the Charity Commission to “take
immediate action.”
Chris Doyle, Director of Caabu (Council for Arab-British Understanding),
“serious questions need to be asked if any UK charity is channelling funding
into projects in settlements in the West Bank.” Since settlements are illegal
under international law, Doyle added, “charities have a duty not to assist in
the violation of such laws”, and urged the Charity Commission to “take
immediate action.”
The
British government already actively discourages UK citizens from pursuing “economic and financial
activities in the settlements”, based on the “legal and economic risks”, as
well as the “potential reputational implications” and “possible abuses of the
rights of individuals.”
British government already actively discourages UK citizens from pursuing “economic and financial
activities in the settlements”, based on the “legal and economic risks”, as
well as the “potential reputational implications” and “possible abuses of the
rights of individuals.”
For
Amnesty UK’s Kristyan Benedict, “charities, donors, individual consumers and
governments need to ensure they are not complicit in discrimination, violence
and illegality.”
Amnesty UK’s Kristyan Benedict, “charities, donors, individual consumers and
governments need to ensure they are not complicit in discrimination, violence
and illegality.”
Campaigners
for Palestinian rights are also dismayed. Sarah Colborne, Director of Palestine
Solidarity Campaign, said “the question is, why is money from UK taxpayers – in
the form of charitable donations – going to fund settlement activity?” Such
donations, she insisted, “should be subject to proper scrutiny by the British
government.”
for Palestinian rights are also dismayed. Sarah Colborne, Director of Palestine
Solidarity Campaign, said “the question is, why is money from UK taxpayers – in
the form of charitable donations – going to fund settlement activity?” Such
donations, she insisted, “should be subject to proper scrutiny by the British
government.”
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