Three MEPs from the European Conservatives and Reformists group have asked the European Commission whether tens of millions of euros in EU funding distributed to Islamic Relief Worldwide may have ended up with Hamas or other terrorist organisations. In a written parliamentary question submitted on 27 May 2026, Charlie Weimers, Dick Erixon and Beatrice Timgren cite a recent report by the German Federal Court of Auditors which found that Islamic Relief Germany transferred large sums to partner organisations with limited oversight, including EUR 240,000 carried in suitcases by plane to Türkiye. The MEPs also point to allegations that Islamic Relief Worldwide supports Hamas.
The question, filed under Rule 144 of Parliament's rules of procedure, contains three concrete demands. First, the MEPs ask the Commission to assess whether any of the over EUR 34 million it provided to Islamic Relief Worldwide between 2007 and 2020 may have flowed directly or indirectly to Hamas or other terror organisations. Second, they request that the Commission commit to removing Islamic Relief Sweden and Islamic Relief Germany from the list of EU humanitarian partners. Third, they ask the Commission to examine whether funds distributed to Islamic Relief and associated organisations have been misused and, if so, to reclaim those funds.
Policy direction and expected follow-up
The question signals a push by the ECR group for stricter oversight of EU humanitarian funding and a tougher stance on organisations with alleged links to designated terrorist groups. The MEPs rely on a May 2026 disclosure of previously withheld German audit reports, which they argue demonstrate inadequate controls. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it shares the MEPs' concerns and whether it plans to take any of the requested actions. The outcome could affect EU humanitarian partnerships and funding transparency rules.