Swedish Minister's Hamas Allegations Against ICHR Denied by Organization and Sida
Benjamin Dousa's claims linking Swedish aid to Hamas via ICHR have been refuted by ICHR and Sida, affirming no connections or funding to terrorist groups.
- • Benjamin Dousa alleged Swedish aid to ICHR had connections to Hamas.
- • ICHR's director Ammar Dwaik called these claims absurd and denied funding Hamas.
- • ICHR focuses on human rights training for Gaza police, not Hamas support.
- • Sida confirmed no aid from Sweden has gone to terrorist organizations.
Key details
Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Benjamin Dousa, has faced significant criticism following his claims that Swedish aid money has been linked to the Palestinian organization Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) and indirectly to Hamas. Dousa alleged that some of the funds were being used by Hamas for police training purposes. However, the ICHR has firmly rejected these allegations. Ammar Dwaik, the director of ICHR, described the accusations as "absurd," emphasizing that no money has left ICHR or been transferred to Hamas or any other group. Dwaik stated that ICHR's work focuses on human rights within Gaza, a region governed by Hamas, and that their training programs for police are aimed at promoting human rights rather than supporting Hamas activities. Further reinforcing this position, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) confirmed that no Swedish aid has gone to terrorist organizations. ICHR stressed its political independence and dedication to serving the Palestinian people, though acknowledged the necessity of interacting with the Hamas-controlled local authorities in Gaza. This controversy underscores the sensitive nature of humanitarian work in conflict regions and the complexities of aid distribution amid political tensions.