For years there has been a two-fold problem with a number of charities. Some have been, in effect, vehicles through which money is raised and then distributed to terrorist-supporting organisations. Other more mainstream charities have spent much of their time and money leading anti-Israel campaigns.
War On Want, for example, boasted just last month that "War on Want is proud to be a leading voice in building the international BDS movement".
The dangerous combination of a weak Charity Commission and a reluctance by communal figures to make waves has given those charities a free hit, with no comeback and no consequences to this abuse of their status. Now, at last, the picture is changing. Under William Shawcross' chairmanship, the commission is more focused, more active and more determined to deal with such abuse. And this week we have seen the first steps in another important change of outlook. A new organisation, Jewish Human Rights Watch, has made a formal complaint to the commission about War On Want.
This is exactly what is needed. Charities that promote BDS are promoting antisemitism - and need to suffer the legal and reputational consequences.