A Palestinian girl waits to pass as Israeli settlers take part in a weekly tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, July 4, 2026. (Credit: Mussa Qawasma/Reuters)
BEIRUT — The British daily The Guardian reported that a UK charity has helped fund a religious school at the center of plans to expand the Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian city of Hebron.
According to the newspaper, Israeli authorities approved the construction of a new dormitory for Yeshivat Shavei Hevron in June after Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich granted Israel planning authority in Hebron, a move critics say broke a decades-old international agreement governing the city.
The expansion is expected to increase the population of one of the most hardline Israeli settler communities in the occupied West Bank, the only Israeli settlement located in the heart of a Palestinian city.
The Guardian reported that the UK-registered charity Friends of Yeshivat Shavei Hevron transferred nearly 200,000 UK pounds ( £) to the school between 2019 and 2024, including £58,200 in 2023 and £21,360 in 2024.
The newspaper said the donations may conflict with the charity's trust deed, which refers to educational and charitable work ''in the state of Israel,'' despite Hebron being in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The report quoted Palestinian activist Issa Amro as saying the expansion would mean ''more violence towards Palestinians, more restrictions, more Israeli military presence,'' while Hagit Ofran of the Israeli advocacy group Peace Now said the new dormitory would further expand ''the most extreme settlement'' in the occupied West Bank.
The Guardian also cited Breaking the Silence executive director Nadav Weiman, who warned that funding the project meant ''funding more violence.''
According to The Guardian, the UK Charity Commission is examining allegations that British charities have directed millions of pounds to Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. The newspaper said the regulator has shared information with London's Metropolitan Police, although no investigation is currently under way.
