U.S. Warns Hamas on Possible Withdrawal of Gaza Aid Over Audit Dispute

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

JERUSALEM — The State Department sent a message to Hamas rulers in Gaza on Thursday that it would withdraw some $100 million it is spending in Gaza on health care, agriculture, water infrastructure and food aid if they did not back off a demand to audit the books of American-financed charities operating there.

The threat, delivered via an intermediary, came after Hamas officials on Sunday suspended the operation of International Medical Corps for its refusal to submit to an on-site audit.

Tensions have been simmering for months over Hamas’ relations with non-governmental organizations of a number of countries operating in Gaza as the authorities have sought to increase surveillance over the groups. Early this year, Hamas asked all such groups to register with the central government, pay a fee and submit financial reports.

Those requests, while resisted, were ultimately agreed to by most groups, officials at Gaza-based charities said. But in June when the demand came that the groups also permit Hamas officials to audit their books, the objections grew markedly. Though Hamas did not explain the reason for its demand, many governments are suspicious of foreign funding of charities fearing money can be diverted to political, or intelligence gathering, activities.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/12/world/middleeast/12gaza.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. And yet, israel gets money without condition.

I think someone needs to read the book, "By Way of Deception". It is a memoir by a former member of the Mossad where he tells of blatant mispending of US money.

[No Elephants]

2. What nerve! We're the only ones allowed to require financial disclosures!

See, for example: tp://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=139231,00.html

Asking to see the books of a not for profit is not an outrageous request, given that they raisetheir money via donations from the public and also that they get preferential tax treatment for fulfilling a certain purpose.