Islamic Relief is a charity, not a terrorist group. We're going to court to prove it | Naser Haghamed

Israel has banned us from helping Palestinians in need. Next month, we will defend our work in the country's supreme court

Naser Haghamed is chief executive of Islamic Relief Worldwide

As chief executive of Islamic Relief, it is my privilege to preside over one of the UK's leading international aid charities, widely respected for operating effectively in some of the world's most difficult and dangerous places. For the Ministry of Defense in Israel, however, Islamic Relief is a supporter of terrorism - a charge that we categorically refute and will be appealing against in Israel's supreme court next month.

The Israeli authorities designated us as a terrorist organisation as long ago as 2014, claiming that we were a front for Hamas. It has taken six long years for us to pursue a legal challenge to this designation. Our case will finally be heard on 12 October.