Australia finds no proof its World Vision aid went to Hamas

30 March 2017, 2:14 pm

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The Australian government says it had found no evidence that any of its donations to the Christian charity World Vision had been siphoned to the Gaza-based Hamas terrorist group.

But Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says its World Vision funding in Gaza would remain suspended while Israeli charges against the global aid agency’s Gaza manager Mohammed el-Halabi remain unresolved.

Muhammad el-Halabi, a manager of the World Vision charity's operations in the Gaza Strip, was indicted on August 4, 2016, for diverting the charity's funds to the terrorist organization. (Screen capture: World Vision) — Muhammad el-Halabi, a manager of the World Vision charity’s operations in the Gaza Strip, was indicted on August 4, 2016, for diverting the charity’s funds to the terrorist organization. (Screen capture: World Vision)

“DFAT has reviewed the management of its funding to World Vision in the Palestinian Territories. The review uncovered nothing to suggest any diversion of government funds.” the department says in a statement.

“Australia’s funding to World Vision in the Palestinian Territories remains suspended until we have considered the outcomes of the court case against Mr. el-Halabi and reviews being undertaken by World Vision Australia and World Vision International into this issue,” it adds.

Australian is the biggest single donor to World Vision’s humanitarian work in Gaza, providing more than $2 million in the past three years.

–AP