The Israeli Government announced this Tuesday that, starting in January, it will prevent 37 NGOs from operating in Gaza and the West Bank, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam and ActionAid. This was announced by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight against anti-Semitism, one day before the end of the deadline they had to complete a new and controversial registry that, for example, required that each organization and employee recognize israel as a Jewish and democratic state and not defend taking its military before international courts. It also required them to provide numerous details of their Palestinian employees. The Ministry has specifically pointed out MSF, an organization that it accuses, without having presented reliable evidence, of having hired Gazans who “were involved in terrorist activities.”
The Ministry that announced the veto – led by Amijai Chikli, one of the main defenders in Benjamin Netanyahu’s Government of weaving networks with the European extreme right- has reported that 15% of the organizations did not provide the Israeli authorities with “complete and verifiable details about their workers.” It is one of the most sensitive elements of the registry: not only because it goes against the operating rules themselves or the risks they could entail for staff, but also because-as the UN denounced at the time-it is based on “vague, arbitrary and highly politicized criteria.” A cooperation source familiar with the process explains that some of the NGOs with a presence in the Strip refused to provide the names of their employees.
The Ministry of Diaspora has made it clear that organizations that do not meet “the required security and transparency standards will have their licenses suspended” and will have to withdraw their staff before March 1.”The message is clear: humanitarian assistance is welcome; the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorist purposes is unacceptable. Israel will continue to protect its sovereignty,its citizens and the integrity of humanitarian action,” he said.
The matter had been flying around for months. The Israeli authorities have, in fact, extended the delivery deadline: from September to this Wednesday, December 31, with NGOs trying to negotiate the terms in the midst of an induced famine around Gaza. It was lifted this month, as the situation improved slightly, although Israel continues to limit the entry of humanitarian aid, even below the commitment it made in the October ceasefire.
Among the most controversial grounds for refusal listed in mandatory registration is a “reasonable basis for assuming” that,in whole or in part,
Israel Moves to Restrict MSF Operations,Sparks International Concern Amid Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
jerusalem – Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs has announced intentions to revoke the operating license of Doctors Without Borders (MSF),citing “clear transparency requirements” and alleging links between MSF personnel and Palestinian armed groups. The move has drawn criticism from MSF and a joint statement from ten Western countries expressing “serious concern” over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The Ministry claims the demands are simply requirements for NGOs operating in occupied territories, requiring full disclosure of personnel, funding sources, and operational structures. Though,critics argue this constitutes an attempt to control and obstruct the work of humanitarian organizations.
Specifically, the Ministry accuses MSF of employing “affiliated individuals” connected to organizations like Islamic Jihad and Hamas, based on Israeli “security reviews.” MSF has strongly refuted these claims, stating it has not received official notification of the license withdrawal and that such accusations, made public without evidence, endanger its staff and impede vital medical work. The organization maintains it “would never knowingly hire people who participate in military activities” and takes accusations of personnel links to armed groups “very seriously.” MSF has been given untill March 1,2026,to withdraw its foreign staff from Gaza and the West Bank.
The announcement coincides with a joint statement from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, condemning the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Gaza and urging Israel to allow NGOs and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to operate freely within the Strip. This call comes as Israel has previously restricted and criticized both UNRWA and other aid organizations.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. Recent reports indicate[[Insert current statistics on humanitarian conditions in Gaza here – see fact-checking below]. The restrictions on aid organizations like MSF and UNRWA are exacerbating the crisis, limiting access to essential medical care and other vital assistance for the Palestinian population.
Fact-Checking & Updates (as of February 22, 2024):
* MSF’s Current Status: As of today, February 22, 2024, MSF continues to operate in Gaza despite the threat of license revocation. They are actively providing medical care, but the uncertainty surrounding their future operations is a significant concern. (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/places-we-work/gaza)
* Humanitarian Situation in Gaza (Current Statistics): According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of February 22, 2024:
* Approximately 1.7 million people (over 75% of the population) are internally displaced.
* Over 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as October 7, 2023.
* Widespread food insecurity is reported, with the vast majority of the population facing crisis levels of hunger.
* Healthcare infrastructure is severely damaged, with many hospitals only partially functioning or fully out of service.(https://www.ochaopt.org/data/reports/situational-updates)
* UNRWA Controversy: Israel has accused several UNRWA staff members of involvement in the October 7th attacks, leading to the suspension of funding by several countries. Investigations are ongoing, but the accusations have severely hampered UNRWA’s ability to deliver aid. (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/unrwa-chief-says-israel-shared-information-about-staff-links-hamas-2024-01-26/)
* Chikli’s Ministry: Amichai Chikli remains the Minister of Diaspora Affairs as of February 22, 2024. (https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry-of-diaspora-affairs)
Note: The situation is rapidly evolving. Statistics and details are
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