Israeli authorities have intensified a campaign of intimidation against humanitarian organisations in the West Bank and Gaza. This month, Israeli security forces arrested the head of the Gaza branch of World Vision International, one of the largest Christian charity organisations in the world. Tel Aviv alleged that Mohammed El Halabi funnelled millions of dollars to Hamas. After the news of the arrest and extent of the allegations, both Australia and Germany suspended funding to World Vision.
Given the context of Israel’s silent campaign against a wide range of NGOs working with the Palestinians, its claims about Mr El Halabi have come under serious scrutiny. World Vision’s chief executive, Kevin Jenkins, said that Mr El Halabi was only given signing authority over $15,000 (Dh 55,000) at any given time and so the notion that he could have funnelled millions to Hamas is simply not possible, given the NGO’s budget.
This week, Israel also arrested and charged a United Nations employee for allegedly aiding Hamas, a claim the group denies. Israel said Waheed Borsh admitted to several charges including building a jetty with UN funds that was later used by Hamas’s navy. Israel has claimed repeatedly that the UN was being taken advantage of by Hamas in Gaza in an effort to tarnish the international body’s critical work in the beleaguered territory.
Israel also announced that it would deport or deny entry to foreign activists who travel to Israel or the West Bank in support of the boycott, divestment and sanction movement. Not to be outdone, Israeli forces demolished the West Bank village of Um Al Kheir, part of which was built using European Union funding.
The thread unifying these events is unmistakable: Israel is carrying out an undeclared war on humanitarian organisations assisting Palestinians and non-violent activists who are pressuring Tel Aviv to end its occupation. The Palestinian people desperately need both the aid and the support that these groups provide on a daily basis. As part of the daily humiliation that typifies Israel’s domination of Palestinians, Tel Aviv wants that help to end.
