Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

October 2016 – Mohammed El Halabi, director of World Vision’s Gaza branch since 2010, confessed to siphoning off $7.2 million a year from donations given to the humanitarian aid organization, according to Israeli authorities who arrested Halabi on June 15. Prosecutors said the money was used to fund Hamas, of which Halabi is a member who was was recruited for the purpose of infiltrating World Vision. Israel estimates that in the last six years, Halabi diverted 60% of World Vision’s Gaza budget, intended for work among children in the region and agricultural projects. Germany and Australia suspended funding for World Vision in Gaza after the allegations.

“[Halabi’s crime] massively damages the trust necessary for aid work for the people in Gaza,” said German politician Volker Beck.

“Any diversion of the generous support of the Australian and international community for military or terrorist purposes by Hamas is to be deplored and can only harm the Palestinian people,” Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.

jpost.com, 8/7/16; world.wng.org, 8/5/16