Did Christian Donations Help Fund Hamas Terror? Israeli Court Says Yes

Former Gaza director for the Evangelical Christian aid organization World
Vision was convicted on Wednesday of diverting funds to terrorists.
By Israel Today Staff | Jun 15, 2022 at 5:13 pm | Topics: Hamas,
CHRISTIANS
Hamas is isolated and so must rely on charity and donations. Some
Christian donors might unwittingly have helped the terror group due to
corruption in Christian aid organizations like World Vision.

Hamas is isolated and so must rely on charity and donations. Some
Christian donors might unwittingly have helped the terror group due to
corruption in Christian aid organizations like World Vision. Photo: Abed
Rahim Khatib/Flash90

An Israeli court on Wednesday convicted Mohammad al-Halabi of all charges
against him but one, strongly suggesting that Christian aid donations that
passed through his hands made their way to the pockets of Hamas
terrorists.

From late 2014 to 2016, Halabi served as Gaza director for the global
Evangelical Christian aid organization World Vision. The donations from
Christians around the world that were transferred to his office were meant
to help the disadvantaged of Gaza.

But in early 2016, Israel arrested Halabi on suspicion he had been
diverting large amounts of money to Hamas.

Over the following 27 months, Israel repeatedly extended Halabi�s remand
while evidence against him was examined, even as the international
community howled for his release.

On Wednesday, a Beersheva court finally determined that Halabi was guilty.

Details of the case are scarce as much of the evidence presented remains
classified. One reason for this could be that testimony was provided by
sources in Hamas-ruled Gaza who�s anonymity must be maintained for their
own safety.

Israel Today reported on this back in 2016 when a representative of the
Australian government visited the country to find out what was going on.
Australia is a major donor to World Vision, and was deeply disturbed by
the possibility of money provided by its citizens funding terrorist
activity.

See: Foreign Aid Must Not Support Terror � Israel Today

It remains to be seen how the international community will react to the
conviction after so loudly protesting Halabi�s arrest and extended
detention. US diplomats reportedly attended a number of Halabi�s hearings
at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem. The White House has yet to comment on
the matter.

https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/did-christian-donations-help-fund-
hamas-terror-israeli-court-says-yes/