Of
Andrea Nicastro
Officials of the Jewish State: «They do not respect the new rules for humanitarian groups». The appeals (without Italy) for the provision to be reviewed
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
JERUSALEM – As 2026 arrives, 37 NGOs will lose their authorization to work in Israel. Humanitarian work is also prohibited for them in the Palestinian territories that the Jewish state has occupied or controlled for decades, including Gaza. They have until March to leave. Humanitarian associations and some diplomatic missions are trying to protest, but nothing suggests that Israel is willing to back down. It is feared that without a substantial portion of NGOs the humanitarian situation of the Palestinians is destined to worsen.
Some examples are given by Aida, the Association that brings together one hundred non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Gaza. «All treatments for children’s malnutrition in the Strip are managed by us, one health center in three is completely dependent. The Palestinian and UN structures simply do not have enough staff to help two million people in the conditions present in Gaza today,” says executive director Athena Rayburn.
The condemnation of the EU and UN was also immediate. “Israel’s plans to block international NGOs in Gaza mean blocking life-saving aid,” Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, wrote in X. “Israel’s suspension of numerous humanitarian agencies from Gaza is scandalous,” said Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief. And Hamas also defined Israel’s decision as “criminal” in a note.
Israel disputes the idea that the ousting of NGOs could have humanitarian consequences. “The flow will continue through channels that respect national regulations, including UN agencies and humanitarian organizations” that have adapted. The 37 in the process of being expelled are, according to the responsible ministry (strangely that of the Diaspora), just 15% of those authorized and, all together, they handle just 1% of the volume of aid.
“That 1% – is the reply – is calculated on the number of trucks that entered Gaza before the war.” The surgeons of Doctors Without Borders who save lives in the tents of the Strip, the Oxfam technicians who operate the water purification plants, for example, They don’t fit on truck pallets, but they do an invaluable job. Whether it is a further boost to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza remains to be seen. The issue at the moment is evidently political and has many similarities with the Israeli ban on allowing foreign journalists to enter the Gaza Strip. The Jewish state is increasingly less inclined to accept independent observers who can raise criticism of its actions.
The NGO re-authorization procedure began last March. The most controversial point is the request to provide all employee data, including social profiles, emails and private telephones. In a state with the interception capabilities that Israel has, any contrary opinion expressed, even in the past, could result in the authorization not being granted or revoked. The procedure goes against European legislation on privacy and the right to free speech.
Similar principles have already proven to be a source of abuse in the past. When Tel Aviv wanted to close the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) it accused some of its operators of being close to Hamas. A few cases out of tens of thousands of employees, without showing evidence or granting the right to exonerate themselves. However, the result was the desired one: UNRWA closed and space was given to a much more obedient Foundation, the famous GHF, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The GHF became famous during the war in Gaza more for the murders that took place in its queues to collect food parcels than for its effectiveness in assisting those in need. The GHF also has American and South African mercenaries among its employees who have never been interested in expressing their opinion on whether or not Tel Aviv respects human rights.
Among the rules imposed on NGOs there is also the scrutiny of the opinions of its operators. All it takes is “a reasonable suspicion that they have expressed themselves in favor of boycotting the Jewish State or have questioned its democracy or the right to its existence” and the authorization can be denied or revoked. Maybe all for a like placed under a post years ago. And always without the right of defense.
Philippe Ribero, head of MSF in the occupied Palestinian territories, said that the alleged links to Hamas of some collaborators have never been proven by Israel and was not given the opportunity to contest the charges.
In addition to Oxfam and MSF, the Norwegian Refugee Committee, Defense for Children International, the International Rescue Committee, Action Aid and Medico are also on the blacklist. Other respected and well-known NGOs such as Save the Children had previously been expelled.
In a joint statement the foreign ministers of Great Britain, France, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland appealed to Israel to reconsider the measure. Italy did not join.
December 31, 2025 (changed December 31, 2025 | 4:07 pm)
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