UK regulator issues warning to charity accused of fundraising for Israeli army

The Charity Commission has issued an official warning to a British charity accused of fundraising for the Israeli army and hosting speakers promoting hate speech.

Mizrachi UK has now been red-flagged by the Charity Commission after a seven-month investigation by the watchdog into the charity after a complaint made by the UK-based International Centre of Justice of Palestinians (ICJP). 

In its warning, the Charity Commission ordered Mizrachi UK to implement a series of corrective measures, adding that the case will remain open until trustees fully comply with these requirements.

Details released in the official warning show that Mizrachi UK promoted a fundraising appeal on its website and Facebook page for other organisations, with the stated aim of providing equipment to soldiers in a foreign military. The commission found that this purpose did not further the charity’s objectives for public benefit.

While no evidence was found that Mizrachi UK used its own funds to support the appeal, the commission concluded that using its platforms and resources to promote it was inappropriate, not in the charity’s best interests, and risked damaging its reputation.

The Charity Commission had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication. 

Earlier this year, the ICJP submitted a complaint about Mizrachi UK that claimed the charity repeatedly solicited donations for active members of the Israeli military, including for combat equipment, an activity that is not considered charitable under UK law. 

One example highlighted in the complaint was a Facebook post dated 10 July 2024 calling for donations for Israeli soldiers serving in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. 

ICJP said this conduct contradicted Mizrachi UK’s stated mission of promoting education and leadership among Jewish youth.

The charity watchdog also examined ICJP’s claim that Mizrachi UK had hosted speakers known for inflammatory rhetoric. 

'The Charity Commission’s official warning is a clear signal that Mizrachi UK breached its duties as a registered charity'

- Mutahir Ahmed, International Centre of Justice of Palestinians

Among them was former Likud Knesset member Yehuda Glick, who described Israel’s military action in Gaza as a “battle of God requiring total complete victory” and referred to opponents as “devils” and “cruel animals”. 

Journalist Sivan Rahav-Meir, speaking on a podcast in July 2024, described Palestinians as “the worst enemies and worst neighbours in the world” and alleged that “every piece of land you give them becomes the homeland of terror”. He was later invited to speak at an event organised by Mizrachi UK.

The commission deemed these issues sufficiently serious to merit an official warning - a sanction used when a charity’s activities risk undermining public trust.

“The Charity Commission’s official warning is a clear signal that Mizrachi UK breached its duties as a registered charity,” said Mutahir Ahmed, the head of legal at the ICJP. 

“This development underscores ICJP’s unwavering commitment to defending Palestinian human rights through rigorous scrutiny and accountability.”

The ICJP said it has submitted complaints concerning other UK-based charities and is awaiting the commission’s findings.

Regulatory cases

This warning also comes after the Charity Commission declared it unlawful for British charities to raise funds or send money to soldiers in the Israeli army. 

Since October 2023, the commission has opened more than 200 regulatory cases related to the war on Gaza. 

It said the investigations involved charities with different positions on the war. 

Israeli forces in Gaza have been accused of war crimes and genocide by organisations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Last year, the charity regulator told Middle East Eye it was assessing a complaint against AAC, a Jewish fundraising organisation accused of facilitating donations to an Israeli charity providing equipment to soldiers fighting in Gaza. 

The Charity Commission also said it was investigating the Boys Clubhouse, a charity based in Hendon, north London, after it held an event marking the return to the UK of a British man who had been fighting for the Israeli army in Gaza.