Benjamin Dousa (M) faces criticism for claiming Swedish aid went to an organization linked to Hamas. The Palestinian group ICHR denies the allegations and stresses its political independence. Sida states no aid has reached terror organizations.
On Friday, Benjamin Dousa (M) claimed that Swedish aid money had gone to the Palestinian organization ICHR, which he said has links to the terror-designated Hamas. The organization strongly denies these allegations, according to Dagens Nyheter.
Ammar Dwaik, ICHR's general director, calls the claims absurd. "To say that we have links to Hamas is absurd. No money has left our organization. We have never given money to Hamas or anyone else," he tells the newspaper. Dousa alleged the funds were used by Hamas to train police, but Dwaik clarifies the training was on human rights in prisons. "Hamas holds prisoners in Gaza. We have therefore trained police in Gaza on how to uphold human rights in prisons. It's not about 'Hamas police'; it's about police employed in Gaza, whose authorities are run by Hamas," he adds.
ICHR is described as politically independent and works solely for Palestinians. Dwaik notes that the organization must interact with Gaza's governing authorities, which are de facto controlled by Hamas. Additionally, ICHR's harsh criticism of Hamas has led to its Gaza chief being assaulted, according to Dwaik.
According to Sida, no Swedish aid has gone to terror organizations, supporting ICHR's account.