Orlando Fraser has chaired the Charity Commission since last year. Photo: Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph
The charity regulator has vowed to crack down on bodies that host antisemitic extremists amid “serious concerns” about activities linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Writing in The Telegraph, Orlando Fraser, chairman of the Charity Commission, warned that charities “must not allow their premises” or events “to become sites for hate speech” or unlawful extremism, adding: “The Commission will not stand by and allow charities to be subject to such abuse.”
His intervention came after campaigners contacted the watchdog over a series of hate speech videos delivered at a number of mosques linked to charities in the weeks following the events of 7 October. Hamas attacks.
These include sermons calling for victory over the “Jewish usurpers,” calling on congregations to pray for the “destruction of the “oppressors,” and a sermon saying that if all Muslims “just marched on Israel, everything will be It's over, if they spit in the direction of Israel, it's over.”
The videos have heightened concerns among senior government officials about the level of extremism in Britain exposed by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The latest pro-Palestinian march through central London, attended by tens of thousands of demonstrators, was marred by numerous offensive placards, with one young woman holding a hand-drawn sign reading “Stop doing what Hitler did to you.” several banners comparing Israel's anti-Semitic bombing of Gaza to the Holocaust.
The latest pro-Palestinian march Central London was dotted with numerous offensive posters. Photo: Twitter
Others included posters that said: “One Holocaust does not justify another” and “Jews know genocide.” 12,000 tons of bombs fell on Gaza's 2.2 million inhabitants. This is also genocide.”
Earlier this month, a group of nine organisations, including the National Secular Society and the Campaign Against Antisemitism, called for an “urgent investigation” into charities which campaigners said were linked to sermons promoting “antisemitism of the most extreme kind”. glorification of terrorism” and “incitement to violence.”
Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Fraser avoided mentioning any specific current affairs but warned that the positive response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas by many charities risks being “undermined by a few individuals abusing their privileged positions to foment discord and tension.” /p>
He said: “The Charity Commission is aware of a significant number of serious concerns about activities related to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. These include charities representing communities across the faith spectrum, although to date they have primarily focused on allegations of anti-Semitism or hate speech.
“Charities must not allow their premises, events or online content to become platforms for hate speech against any community or unlawful extremism. The Commission will not stand by and allow charity to be abused in this way. If it turns out that wrongdoing has been committed, make no mistake: we will deal with it decisively.”
Mr Fraser referred to a case that predated the current conflict about actions taken by the commission against the Islamic center that organized the action in honor of Qassim Soleimani, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Islamic Center of England is managed by an interim manager appointed by the regulator following an investigation by the commission.
Officers handed out leaflets to pro-Palestinian marchers to ensure “absolute clarity” on what constituted an offence. Photo: Paul Grover for The Telegraph
The CC, who has chaired the Charity Commission since last year, also cited action the watchdog had taken against a charity with apparent links to far-right extremism.
He said: “We acted when there were similar actions.” concerns have been raised in the past. This included cases where one charity ran events that may have been linked to terrorism, while another charity appeared to have links to far-right extremism. We are equally determined to oppose any form of hate speech or extremism, no matter what community it comes from or who it is directed at.
“In times of heightened tensions, people look to charities to lead the way in bringing us together. This doesn't mean they should avoid sensitive or controversial issues – charities are free to campaign as long as it relates to their charitable goals. But it is clear to me that they have a responsibility to do so with respect, tolerance and consideration for others. They should avoid inflammatory rhetoric that fuels divisions and can undermine confidence in the sector.
“The Commission will always use the powers given to us by Parliament to deal decisively with those who abuse charities in England and Wales, whether intentionally or recklessly. We will not hesitate to take action to protect the reputation of the sector as a whole, including the many faith-based charities on our register who do so much good in communities here and abroad.”
Earlier this month, Lucy Fraser, the culture secretary whose department oversees the Charity Commission, wrote to Mr Fraser warning that charities were “promoting extremist ideas… risk undermining our wider system of charity regulation.”
Saturday's demonstration – the latest in a series of protests staged since Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7 that killed more than 1,400 people – came after the terror group freed several hostages on Friday evening.< /p>'Absolute clarity'
Protesters in London marched from Park Lane to Whitehall, with hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers handing out leaflets to provide “absolute clarity” on what constitutes an offence. One poster compared Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, to the devil, a common anti-Semitic stereotype.
After weeks of pressure on the force to hold regular demonstrations and pressure for a tougher crackdown over alleged anti-Semitism, police made a number of arrests.
These included a man detained on suspicion of supporting a banned organization after he was seen wearing a green headband with white Arabic writing.
Four men who ran a tent in Whitehall and distributed pamphlets with a swastika inside a Star of David were arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
Elsewhere during the march, two women were arrested for racially aggravated public order after he was seen on CCTV holding offensive placards.
Meanwhile, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat called on the BBC to review instructions given to staff who were ordered not to attend the march against anti-Semitism on Sunday.
Factual and current affairs staff who sought permission to attend the Campaign Against Antisemitism march in London were subject to impartiality rules.
The rules state that newsroom staff “must not take part in public demonstrations” . or meetings on controversial issues.”
“I hope the BBC will reconsider its opinion.”
Jewish journalists argue that protesting racism should not be seen as a controversial or partisan issue, and that the BBC should not be in their corner on a way.
Mr Tugendhat, who sits in the cabinet, tweeted: “There is nothing 'controversial' about standing up to anti-Semitism. I hope the BBC will reconsider its decision.”
The BBC said it “has set out rules regarding marches which explain that different considerations apply depending on what you do for the BBC.”
But the spokesperson added: “In general, we have not issued any communications to staff regarding any specific march this weekend, but that does not mean discussions have not taken place among colleagues that take this guidance into account.” .
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