​(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
 
1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working in coordination with security representatives in order to convey to states around the world relevant information regarding the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Branch of World Vision, as well as to clarify the severity of this case. Initial information has already been passed on to a number of central states whose citizens donate to this international humanitarian aid organization.
 
2. MFA Director General Dr. Dore Gold has instructed Israeli ambassadors to convey to the foreign ministries in the countries in which they serve details of the case and the danger created by Hamas taking over humanitarian aid systems, as well as to petition for greater supervision over what is done with donor monies.
 
Last night (Thursday, 4 August), DG Gold sent a letter to all his counterparts abroad in which he indicated the danger posed by the Iranian-supported Hamas terrorist organization exploiting money donated to aid Gaza.
 
3. The MFA’s Head of Bureau for World Jewish Affairs and World Religions, Akiva Tor, met last night in Jerusalem with Kent Hill, a Senior Vice President in World Vision to update him with details of the investigation. Bureau Head Tor told Mr. Hill that the organization should carry out a thorough internal inquiry and institute systems to monitor its finances.
 
4. Israel notes with satisfaction the Australian government’s statement according to which it will immediately suspend its aid to World Vision, until a thorough inquiry is carried out.
 
5. The Foreign Ministry calls on World Vision and on all involved in aid efforts in the Gaza Strip to scrutinize themselves and their local partners.
 
Israel remains committed to aid and rehabilitation efforts in Gaza while carefully protecting its security.