An Israeli high court on Tuesday called for an end to the long-running case of a Palestinian aid worker accused of withdrawing tens of millions of dollars from the Hamas militant group, a charge he has since denied.
Mohammad El Halabi, head of Gaza’s operations unit at the United States-based Christian Vision, was arrested when he entered Israel in June 2016. Israeli officials said his case was based on a confession he had made in custody. Presented before Israel’s lower court, Halabi maintained his chastity. His lawyers say they have not yet received all the evidence against him. They say he has rejected many claims for compensation. The Department of Justice declined to comment.
“I think we all understand that this case should end,” said Ofer Grosskopf, a high court judge who heard the motion against El Halabi’s arrest.Encouraged by Grosskopf, the lower court said it would rule on June 16, in an unusually long El Halabi case that has received criticism from human rights groups. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern about her case, which includes “possible medical treatment for abuse”.
Israel has accused El Halabi of embezzling about 60 percent of Gaza’s World Vision money – up to $ 50 million – to pay Hamas troops, buy weapons, and help build fortifications. World Vision, which focuses on helping children, said a study by the Independent forensic audit found no evidence of wrongdoing or money laundering.
The organization said that in the 10 years that El Halabi was hired, it had set aside about $ 22.5 million to operate in Gaza, making the so-called El Halabi money “difficult to recover”.”The program has had a profound and devastating effect on children and their families in Gaza, including Mohammad’s family,” said Sharon Marshall, a spokeswoman for World Vision.
In a statement, El Halabi described the charges as “a series of lies fabricated to direct humanitarian and operational organizations in Gaza”.”I hope the trial will end with a full release, because I am innocent,” he said.
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