A north London charity has been formally reprimanded by the Charity Commission for raising funds to support an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldier, an act deemed to breach UK charity law.
The organisation, Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Limited, launched a fundraising campaign in October 2023 following Hamas’ attack on Israel. The campaign, which was subsequently taken down in January 2024, raised approximately £2,280. Out of this, £937 was directly transferred to an individual soldier, with the remainder used by the trustees to purchase non-lethal military equipment for the same soldier.
The Charity Commission determined that this activity fell outside the charity’s legal purposes and constituted a breach of trust. It issued an official warning, citing misconduct and mismanagement in the charity’s administration.
Regulator’s findings
Helen Earner, Director for Regulatory Services at the Charity Commission, stated:
“It is not lawful, or acceptable, for a charity to raise funds to support a soldier of a foreign military.
“Our Official Warning requires the charity to set things right and is a clear message to other charities to stay true to their established purposes.
“Any failure by the charity to implement the requirements in the Official Warning may lead to further regulatory action.”
The regulator’s investigation was prompted by 180 complaints and revealed that the fundraising campaign violated charity law, as UK charities are not permitted to provide aid or military supplies to overseas armed forces.
The Commission highlighted that the charity’s stated objectives are to advance the orthodox Jewish religion, promote orthodox Jewish education, and relieve poverty and sickness. While UK law permits charities with appropriate purposes to support the efficiency of the UK armed forces, this does not extend to foreign military forces.
Charity’s response
In response to the warning, the charity acknowledged the ruling and expressed regret for its actions. A spokesperson explained:
“In the immediate aftermath of 7 October, there was concern, fuelled by social media reports, that due to the haste and sheer numbers of reservists being called up, there was not anything like enough winter clothing and protective gear to keep these young people safe from harm.
“Understandably, our community wanted to help. We acknowledge that in facilitating a campaign to provide warm clothing and the like, however briefly and however modest its results, the charity exceeded its purposes and we are grateful for the guidance provided by the Charity Commission to ensure that this won’t happen again.”
The charity emphasised that the fundraiser was intended to supply warm clothing for reservists, not to provide direct support for military operations.
Breach of charity law
The regulator found that the trustees failed to act in the charity’s best interests or safeguard its reputation. The mismanagement and lack of accountability over how funds were spent further compounded the issue.
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The case serves as a stark reminder to all charitable organisations to strictly adhere to their legal and ethical obligations. Ms Earner stressed the importance of maintaining public trust, noting that any future non-compliance could lead to more severe sanctions.
Broader implications
This incident highlights the legal limitations placed on UK charities regarding support for overseas military forces. While charitable giving often arises from genuine humanitarian concern, organisations must ensure that their activities align with their stated purposes and comply with the law.
The Charity Commission’s action underscores its commitment to upholding these standards. With annual charitable spending of approximately £766,000, Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Limited will now be under increased scrutiny to ensure future compliance.
This case also serves as a cautionary tale for other charities, illustrating the potential reputational and regulatory risks of stepping beyond their defined objectives, even in times of crisis.
