Charity Commission

The UK's Charity Commission is investigating eight unnamed charities for donating funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine, assessing whether the funds were used for charitable purposes. A UK legal group, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, submitted a formal complaint following revelations of a London synagogue advertising properties in these settlements.

The Charity Commission in England and Wales is investigating charities that donate funds to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. The investigation follows a formal complaint from a Labour MP and will assess the extent of charitable funds involved, their purpose, and potential regulatory action.

The Charity Commission is seeking new powers to target Iran-linked charities that abuse their legal status to promote extremism and terrorism. The watchdog aims to address the misuse of charitable status for extremist activities.

Thirty-two charities in England and Wales donated at least £28m to Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law. MP Melanie Ward has urged the Charity Commission to investigate, citing potential taxpayer subsidization of £5.6m through gift aid. The UK government has tasked the Charity Commission with examining charities' links to the settlements.

Civil society groups warn new Charity Commission powers risk suppressing legitimate advocacy. They urge the UK government to consult the sector before implementing social cohesion measures to tackle extremism. Concerns highlight potential threats to civic space and free campaigning.

Prince Harry is being sued by the charity Sentebale, which he co-founded in Africa to honor Princess Diana, for defamation after stepping down as a patron. The lawsuit alleges a coordinated media campaign harmed the charity's reputation, while Harry and his friend Mark Dyer deny the claims. Previous disputes over Sentebale's leadership and fundraising strategies led to their resignation as patrons in 2025.