JERUSALEM – The international charity World Vision is calling for a “fair and transparent” trial for a Gaza employee arrested by Israel for allegedly funneling money to Hamas.
Israel accuses Mohamed el-Halabi, a manager of the aid group’s Gaza office, of diverting millions of dollars from World Vision’s budget to the Islamic militant group Hamas, helping it build underground tunnels, military bases and purchasing arms. His trial is expected to begin soon.
The comments on Monday by Kevin Jenkins, World Vision’s international CEO, come as Amnesty International is also calling for a fair trial amid reports that el-Halabi’s proceedings will be closed.
READ MORE: World Vision says Israeli charges based on impossible numbers
Trials for cases that Israel considers highly sensitive are sometimes held in secret.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon says “it’s clear that the trial will be fair.”
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