From JNF to Viva Palestina – UK Policy Towards Zionist and Palestinian Charities

Abstract

The classification of a charity's object as "political" and the legal attitude towards political activities of charities and NGOs may be tinged with political bias. The article aims to show how such a bias had and still have an influence on the legal attitude towards the objects of Zionist NGOs, on the one hand, and Pro-Palestinian NGOs, on the other. The article indicates that there is an historical link between legal positions adopted by UK regulatory authorities and judges towards the political nature of Zionist or Palestinian NGOs' objects and the respective degree of political support or reservation regarding Zionist or Palestinian national ambitions. It emphasizes the rather unknown but yet significant Zionist-Palestinian perspective of the traditional antipathy towards NGOs' political objects.

Keywords: Charities, Ngo's, Not-for Profit, Tax Exempt, Political Activities, Political Bias, UK, Zionism, Palestinians, Jewish National Fund, Israel, Terrorism, Hamas, Gaza, Law and History