Interpal rejects latest Israeli “gesture politics”

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Interpal has today called the Israeli “banning” of the British charity “gesture politics”. Speaking after Ehud Barak, the Israeli Defence Minister, was reported to have listed Interpal among a number of charities he has banned (although Interpal does not appear on any available list), Ibrahim Hewitt said, “Israel declared us to be an unlawful organisation in 1996, so this is a non-story. It is gesture politics and part of Israel’s strategy to deny much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians already overwhelmed by a catastrophe created and intensified by the illegal occupation of their land.”

Interpal has no links with Hamas or any other political group in Britain or overseas, and provides humanitarian assistance for charitable purposes only in a part of the world where the need is great. Pointing out that Interpal does not actually operate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip – the charity funds projects promoted by local charities registered with the appropriate authorities – Mr. Hewitt added that since Israel is supposed to have pulled out of Gaza and the West Bank is at least nominally under Palestinian Authority control, Mr. Barak actually has no legal right to make any such banning order.

“As the occupying power, Israel should be more concerned about its legal obligations towards the poor and needy struggling to survive in appalling circumstances rather than stealing food and basic necessities from widows and orphans, which is what this latest move actually entails,” said Mr. Hewitt.

“Israel has blatant disregard for international law and abuses human rights in the territories it occupies illegally on a daily basis, and has done for decades, but accuses charities of ‘terrorism’,” Mr. Hewitt continued. “Barak’s statement is classic chutzpah. The irony and hypocrisy will not be lost on those who recognise injustice when they see it.”

Interpal will continue to make every conceivable effort to ensure that its operations comply with English Law and guidance issued by the Charity Commission, God-Willing.

For further information, please contact Ibrahim Hewitt on 07976 327119