Israel police and the security agency Shin Bet yesterday closed two Muslim charities in Israel under claims of funding Israeli Islamist movements and Hamas, AFP Agency reported.
\nThe Muslim Women for Al-Aqsa, in East Jerusalem, and Al-Fajr Foundation for Culture and Literature in the Arab city of Nazareth in northern Israel, were all shut down.
\nAccording to a statement issued by the Israeli police, the charities were suspected of financing \u201corganisations which identify with Hamas\u201d and encouraging activists to confront visitors to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
\nIsraeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya\u2019alon outlawed the charities last month claiming they posed a threat on Israeli national security. Shin Bet implemented Ya\u2019alon\u2019s order.
\n\u201cThe charities\u2026 are suspected of paying activists who go every day to the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa Mosque],\u201d a police statement said.
\nThe charities said the Israeli police raided their offices and \u201cconfiscated computers, documents and bank records from two of the offices and arrested employees for questioning\u201d.
\nIn a statement they denied all accusations of money-laundering and financing \u201cterror\u201d activities or \u201cviolence\u201d at Al-Aqsa Mosque and denied any links to \u201cterrorist organisations\u201d.
\nAdding that the Muslim Women for Al-Aqsa \u201corganises study for women inside the mosque and supervises their activities.\u201d<\/p>\n