Filed with 60.11.1 Islam · Related: 60.11 Religion · 60.3.1 - Foreign Policy

Israel Funding Early Charity

Yes, Israel provided indirect support to the Muslim Brotherhood’s charitable activities in Gaza during the 1970s and 1980s. This support was primarily aimed at countering the influence of the secular Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).(en.wikipedia.org)

During this period, Israel allowed Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a prominent figure in the Muslim Brotherhood, to establish and expand a network of Islamic institutions in Gaza, including mosques, schools, and charities. One notable organization was Mujama al-Islamiya, founded in 1973, which focused on social services and religious education. In 1979, Israel officially recognized Mujama al-Islamiya as a charity, facilitating its growth and the establishment of institutions like the Islamic University of Gaza .(en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org)

Former Israeli officials have acknowledged this strategy. Brigadier General Yitzhak Segev, who served as the Israeli military governor in Gaza during the early 1980s, admitted to providing financial assistance to Mujama al-Islamiya under directives from Israeli authorities. The intent was to empower Islamist groups as a counterbalance to the PLO’s secular nationalism .(en.wikipedia.org)

This approach, however, had unintended consequences. The infrastructure and support provided to these Islamic organizations laid the groundwork for the emergence of Hamas in 1987, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas combined social services with a militant agenda, eventually becoming a significant political and military force in the region.

In summary, while Israel did not directly fund the Muslim Brotherhood’s charitable movement, it facilitated and supported the growth of Islamist social institutions in Gaza during the 1970s and 1980s. This policy was part of a broader strategy to undermine the PLO but inadvertently contributed to the rise of Hamas.(en.wikipedia.org)