Israel Seeks to Dissolve Charity Suspected of Funding Terrorism via Turkey

Israel's Registrar of Non-Profits has filed a request with the Haifa District Court to dissolve the Sakhaa Abu Nidal charity, citing serious irregularities and suspected terror financing. The charity allegedly transferred hundreds of thousands of shekels to entities in Turkey between 2023 and 2024, ostensibly to support Syrian refugees. However, the Corporations Authority claims the organization failed to provide documentation proving the funds were used for their stated purpose, such as lists of beneficiaries or purchase receipts.

Further allegations include the charity's lack of oversight on how the transferred funds were utilized in Turkey. The Corporations Authority expressed concern that without proper control, the money could be diverted for illicit purposes, including terrorism, especially given international warnings about certain charities operating in Turkey. The investigation also uncovered potential familial conflicts of interest within the charity's leadership, with spouses serving as sole signatories and family ties existing between board members and the audit committee, violating legal requirements.

Additionally, the charity reportedly informed the Registrar that it had no foreign operations, despite making significant financial transfers to Turkey. The authority also stated that the organization did not fully cooperate with the investigation, failed to provide tax clearance for overseas transfers, and did not submit its 2025 reports. Shuli Avni Shoham, head of the Corporations Authority, emphasized the severity of the discovered deficiencies, highlighting the complete lack of oversight on public funds sent abroad and the real risk of their misuse for foreign objectives. She vowed determined action to ensure charitable funds are used for their approved purposes and not for other agendas, serving the public interest.