Israeli Charity Faces Dissolution Over Suspected Terror Financing to Turkey

Israel's Registrar of Associations has filed a request with the Haifa District Court to dissolve the "Sakha Abu Nidal" charity based in Shfaram, citing serious irregularities in its operations and fund transfers to Turkey. The Registrar alleges that due to an inability to trace the final destination of the funds, the possibility of them being used for terror financing or other illegal activities cannot be ruled out.

The charity, registered in 2021, stated its goals as aiding the needy with money, food, and clothing, and assisting Syrian refugees in Jordan and Turkey. However, the Registrar contends its activities violated its stated purpose and bylaws, a conclusion supported by an investigator who recommended its dissolution.

According to the dissolution request, in 2023 the charity transferred a total of $75,200 to three entities in Turkey, amounting to approximately NIS 277,000 out of a total operational turnover of about NIS 421,000. An additional $25,000 was sent to a Turkish organization in 2024. The charity's financial reports listed NIS 94,850 in expenses under "donations abroad" in 2023, from a total turnover of NIS 186,177.

Recipients of the funds included the Turkish fashion chain LC Waikiki, a food and beverage company, and an organization described as the "Damascus Orphans Association." While a charity official claimed the funds were used to purchase goods for Syrian refugees, the Registrar stated that no documentation was provided to verify the purchases, quantities, distribution dates, or recipients. The Registrar also noted a lack of evidence regarding the use of funds transferred to the Turkish organization, raising concerns about their ultimate purpose.

Further discrepancies include the charity's declaration of no foreign activity in its 2023 and 2024 reports, despite the transfers to Turkey. The Registrar labeled these statements as "false reporting." Although the charity claimed to cease overseas operations after October 7th, transfers to Turkey continued into 2024, with foreign activity reportedly ending only in February 2025.

The dissolution request also highlighted issues such as the non-functioning of the charity's institutions and potential conflicts of interest, with the only active board members and signatories being a couple, while other registered board members were inactive. The Registrar considers these not minor issues but fundamental flaws in the charity's governance.