Israeli officials have charged that Christian charity World Vision has funneled $43 million in the last six years to Hamas, helping to fund their terror activities. Mohammad El Halabi, the head of the Gaza branch of the worldwide charity, was indicted this week for supporting Hamas.
El Halaby had been arrested June 15 and charged on Thursday with "providing support to Hamas. "He “had subsequently transferred about 60 percent of World Vision’s annual budget for Gaza to Hamas.” Among the purposes for the funds were digging tunnels to enter Israel for attacks, and food and shelter for Hamas terrorists.
- Money raised to support injured children in Gaza was diverted to the families of Hamas militants who claimed their children were wounded;
- Money was paid as salaries to Hamas militants who were falsely registered as World Vision employees;
- Costs for legitimate projects such as greenhouses were inflated, with the extra money going to Hamas;
- Fake charities that were actually Hamas fronts received World Vision donations;
- And entire lists of aid beneficiaries were fictitious, so instead of giving money to needy farmers, the money was handed out to Hamas members.
David Firester, an intelligence expert, notes that while World Vision is denying the charges, “this is a major PR crisis and for worldwide donors to learn that the charity allowed funds to be diverted to Hamas – a group with a dedicated mission to wipe out Israel – is a major blow to donor confidence, a backlash that could take years to repair.”
