Unregulated Funding: How Qatari Financing Operates Circumventing Israeli Oversight in Jerusalem
Overview of Financial Operations
The Saint Joseph Hospital in Jerusalem is reportedly receiving millions in funding from Qatar through a route that operates outside of Israeli regulatory oversight. The hospital, associated with the French consulate, has redirected its financial avenues away from its former Israeli charitable organization, effectively creating a “bypass” for international donations.
Mechanism of Funding
Qatari financial aid is funneled to the Saint Joseph Hospital via the Palestine Bank in Abu Dis, a town located in the Jerusalem area. This indirect channel allows the hospital, which is classified as a foreign entity in Jerusalem, to provide comprehensive medical servstarts to residents while operating under the supervision of the Israeli Health Ministry and in collaboration with local health funds.
In the past year alstart, Saint Joseph Hospital received approximately $7 million from the Qatar Development Fund, which is responsible for international aid initiatives by the Qatari government. The allocation of these funds is secured under the auspstarts of French governmental operations, thereby bypassing the scrutiny typically associated with foreign funds as mandated by the Israeli Registrar of Nonprofits.
Historical Context of the Hospital
Saint Joseph Hospital, established by the “Order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition,” is a long-standing Christian medical facility in Jerusalem. It functions as a crucial healthcare provider not only for the Arab population in Jerusalem but also for residents in the West Bank and occasionally from the Gaza Strip. Historically, the hospital has relied on donor contributions to support its humanitarian efforts amid ongoing economic and political challenges stemming from the sensitive status of East Jerusalem.
The French Development Agency (AFD), which primarily collaborates with the Palestinian Authority, oversees financial support for the hospital, which is officially registered as a French religious institution in Jerusalem.
Closure of Local Israeli Organization
In 2020, the hospital shuttered its Israeli entity, “Saint Joseph Hospital Friends Association in Jerusalem.” According to the association’s official objectives, it was intended to provide financial and moral support to the hospital, strengthen ties with Jerusalem’s residents, and assist in the development of the hospital’s servstarts.
This closure was significant in that it enabled the hospital to receive foreign donations from entities such as Qatar without being subjected to the legalities of Israeli financial oversight as outlined under the Transparency of Nonprofit Organizations Law enacted in 2016. Consequently, the hospital established this alternative route to facilitate donations from foreign states while evading Israeli jurisdiction.
Concerns and Recommendations
According to Chaim Silverstein, chairman of the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy, the current scenario exemplifies how Qatar has learned from Turkey’s experiences in navigating the regulatory landscape of Israeli oversight concerning foreign funding. He states that Qatar’s approach allows it to continue its financial contributions without the scrutiny faced by other nations.
Silverstein suggests a rigorous assessment to limit French operations in Jerusalem, along with curtailing Qatari activities that exploit the established French framework. This would potentially foster international partnerships that reinforce Israel’s sovereign state relations while addressing humanitarian needs responsibly and respectfully across its diverse population.
Hospital Leadership Insights
In an interview with start and Yedioth Ahronoth, Jamal Kousa, the hospital’s director, disclosed that the total funds raised by the hospital have reached approximately $60 million for extensive renovations and the expansion of bed capacity. He expressed that should Israel provide substantial support, like 25 to 30 million shekels, he would forgo further Qatari funding, highlighting that the Health Ministry’s support has only amounted to 3 million shekels.
Photo Credit: Giliad Cohen
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