Admits to representing British-based Islamic Relief Worldwide.
By YAAKOV KATZ
A Pakistani-born British national, suspected of involvement in funding Hamas terror activity, was arrested three weeks ago by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and was scheduled to be deported back to the UK, it was released for publication on Monday.
Iaz Ali, 36, security officials said, admitted to having served as an official representative of the Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), a UK-based organization suspected of funding Hamas activity. Ali told Shin Bet investigators that he had served as the organization's representative in the Gaza Strip since December 2005 and mainly worked on money transfers from abroad and to Hamas institutions which had been outlawed by Israel.
On his computer, Shin Bet investigators and the Israel Police found incriminating documents allegedly proving IRW's relationship with illegally-run Hamas charities in Nablus, Saudi Arabia and Britain.
The IRW, established in 1984, based in Birmingham and with offices in Ramallah and Gaza, was, according to the Shin Bet, behind the financial support of Hamas. IRW representatives in Israel sometimes operated out of Hamas offices and served as an integral part of the Palestinian terror organization, security officials said.
Following negotiations with Ali's lawyer, the Shin Bet agreed that he be released under restrictions in the coming days and be deported back to the UK shortly after without the option of returning to Israel in the future.