An investigation by the Charity Commission found that a UK-based Jewish charity had promoted a fundraising appeal on its website for the Israeli army and hosted Zionist speakers accused of hate speech.
The Charity Commission has issued an official warning to Mizrachi UK, also known as Mizrachi Israel Support Trust, after a seven-month investigation by the watchdog into the charity.
A complaint was filed against Mizrachi UK by the UK-based International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), accusing the group of spreading hate speech and fundraising for soldiers in the Israeli army.
In the complaint, ICJP included screenshots from Mizrachi UK’s newsletter, Facebook page, and website, which allegedly show the charity running active fundraising campaigns for IDF soldiers.
In the evidence submitted by ICJP, screenshots showed posts from the charity calling for donations to its “Tzevet Perez” emergency fund, which raised money to pay for tactical gear given to active IDF soldiers, such as tactical helmets, ceramic bulletproof inserts, and other miscellaneous items.
Mizrachi UK has now been red-flagged by the Charity Commission, ordering them to implement a series of corrective measures.
In the official warning released by the Charity Commission, details reveal that Mizrachi UK promoted a fundraising appeal “to provide equipment for soldiers in a foreign military”.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
The warning also stated that this act of fundraising did not further the charity’s objective for public benefit.
The Commission came to the conclusive decision that using its platforms and resources to promote such a campaign was not appropriate and risked damaging its reputation.
Mizrachi UK states that its purpose is to provide vocational training to Britain’s Jewish community and other members of the public who represent the UK or Israel.
The charity outright proclaims itself as “the UK’s leading framework for religious Zionism.”
One example of the posts highlighted by the ICJP in its complaint was dated 10 July 2024, calling for donations for IDF soldiers serving in Gaza.
Mizrachi UK has also hosted speakers who have sparked controversy, with one of their speakers referring to Palestinians as “devils, cruel animals not animals,” which ICJP made sure to highlight in their complaint.
Another one called on Israelis to “drown” Palestinians in Gaza “like we drowned the Pharaoh and his people in Egypt”.
“Allowing charities in the UK to fundraise for unlawful purposes and spread divisive rhetoric undermines the public’s trust in the charity sector,” said Mira Naseer, ICJP legal officer.
Naseer expressed her concern over the number of UK charities that are raising money for soldiers in the Israeli army.
“A slap on the wrist will not suffice,” she continued.
Speaking on the official warning that was issued on 18 November, Mutahir Ahmed from ICJP said: “The Charity Commission’s official warning is a clear signal that Mizrachi UK breached its duties as a registered charity”.
The warning 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 Charity Commission has opened more than 200 cases related to the war on Gaza.
Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Limited set up a fundraising page for soldiers stationed in northern Israel in October 2023.
The page raised approximately £2,280 for soldiers, with £937 being sent to an individual soldier.
The Charity Commission also said it was investigating the Boys Clubhouse, a charity based in Hendon, north London, after holding an event for the return of a UK national who had been fighting with the IDF in Gaza.
