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The UK government provided £90,000 to an Israeli research group seeking to establish Hamas’s sexual violence during the October 7 attack as “systematic,” according to documents obtained through a freedom of information request by Novara Media.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), then under David Lammy’s leadership, funded 75% of The Dinah Project’s four-month initiative. The project culminated in an 84-page report titled “A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond,” published in July 2025 amid growing international pressure on Israel regarding its military operations in Gaza.
Information about the funding was released only after a seven-month battle with the FCDO, which initially denied the request before the Information Commissioner’s Office intervened. Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, questioned the government’s transparency, asking, “Why did it seek to hide its support for The Dinah Project?”
The Dinah Project, launched in 2023, is housed within Bar-Ilan University’s Ruth and Emanuel Rackman Center for the Advancement of Women’s Status. The university, widely regarded as religiously orthodox and right-leaning, describes itself as “a critical ally for the government of Israel.” Despite claiming “no formal connection” to the Israeli government in its FCDO application, Israeli officials have openly acknowledged close collaboration with the project.
During a Knesset foreign policy committee meeting, Gal Ilan from Israel’s National Public Diplomacy Directorate described the report as “a significant public diplomacy tool for us,” adding that “the campaign was disseminated by all the means we have as a state.” Jonathan Barel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that “even before the report was published, we established contact with its authors.”
The report, which implements what it calls a “tailor-made evidence model” with lower evidential standards than typically used in conflict zones, concluded that sexual violence on October 7 was “widespread and systematic” and tactically deployed as a “weapon of war.” The Israeli government subsequently made this report central to a $45 million Google Ads campaign focused on defending its international reputation.
The findings contrast with assessments from independent organizations. In March 2024, UN Special Representative Pramila Patten concluded there were “reasonable grounds” to believe “instances of sexual violence” occurred on October 7 but did not characterize them as systematic. Amnesty International’s investigation found “no evidence that Hamas or other Palestinian armed groups gave orders to their fighters to commit acts of sexual violence.”
The report drew criticism from academic circles for its methodology and tone. A group of London School of Economics academics described it as having “severe methodological shortcomings” and a “propagandist tone” in an open letter to university management after LSE hosted The Dinah Project.
Critics have pointed to a disparity in the UK government’s approach to sexual violence allegations in the conflict. While funding research into Hamas’s actions, the government has been largely silent regarding documented cases of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians.
In March 2025, a UN commission of inquiry published findings on Israel’s use of sexual violence during military operations, noting systematic destruction of IVF clinics, rape and torture of Palestinian prisoners, and sexual humiliation of Palestinian men and boys. The UK has not formally responded to these findings.
“The absence of public recognition from the UK of [the UN’s] findings is deeply concerning,” said a spokesperson from Gender Action for Peace and Security. “When confronted with credible evidence of systematic abuse, silence risks entrenching a damaging double standard.”
While Lord Tariq Ahmad, the UK’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, has mentioned “sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli forces against Palestinian detainees” in statements, the government has not financially supported investigations into these allegations comparable to its funding of The Dinah Project.
The FCDO declined to provide an on-the-record comment regarding its funding decision or the apparent disparity in its approach to investigating sexual violence by different parties in the conflict.
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14 Comments
Funding a report that appears to be propaganda for Israel’s actions is a concerning use of UK government resources. There needs to be much greater transparency and accountability around such projects.
Agreed, the lack of openness about this funding is deeply problematic. The public deserves to know how their tax money is being spent, especially on sensitive international issues.
The lack of transparency around this UK-funded report is very troubling. The government needs to explain why it provided funding for an initiative that appears to be part of Israel’s propaganda campaign.
I agree, the public has a right to know how their tax money is being used, especially for research related to complex geopolitical conflicts.
This report seems to be part of Israel’s efforts to deflect criticism of its military actions. The UK government’s involvement raises serious questions about its foreign policy priorities.
I agree, the use of taxpayer funds to support such an initiative is very troubling. The government must provide a clear explanation for this decision.
This seems like a clear case of the UK government being used to lend credibility to Israel’s propaganda efforts. Taxpayer money should not be funneled into such biased initiatives.
Absolutely, the public deserves transparency around how their tax dollars are being spent, especially on sensitive international issues. This raises serious concerns.
Using UK government funds to support a report that aims to justify Israel’s military actions is highly concerning. There needs to be much greater accountability and oversight for such initiatives.
Absolutely, the lack of transparency is extremely problematic. The public deserves to understand how their tax money is being allocated, especially on sensitive international issues.
This report seems to be part of a wider propaganda campaign by Israel. It’s concerning that the UK government funded such an initiative without full transparency. Taxpayer money should not be used for political propaganda.
I agree, the lack of transparency is troubling. The public deserves to know how their tax money is being used, especially for sensitive political issues.
Funding a politically-motivated report on sexual violence is a concerning use of UK government resources. I hope there is a thorough investigation into the rationale and oversight for this project.
Agreed, the government needs to be held accountable for how it allocates funds for research, especially when it involves complex geopolitical conflicts.