NGOs Condemn Regulations as Threat to Humanitarian Aid
More than 50 international NGOs have denounced new Israeli regulations they claim will cripple aid efforts to Palestinians. In a joint statement issued May 6, the groups called on global leaders to resist the measures, which introduce complex registration procedures for organizations operating in Gaza and other Israeli-controlled areas.
The new rules, introduced in March, demand extensive documentation, including detailed financial records, donor information, and personal data on foreign staff. Critics say the criteria are vague and politically driven, aimed at restricting the independence of humanitarian operations.
New Requirements Called “Overly Intrusive”
Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism outlined the new requirements, which include audited financial statements, donor background details, and staff identification data. Organizations or employees can be denied approval for actions deemed supportive of terrorism or anti-Israel activity.
NGOs argue that these sweeping conditions threaten the neutrality and safety of relief workers. “These rules are part of a long-term crackdown on humanitarian space,” the groups said. They warn the changes could lead to the shutdown of essential services, including food distribution, legal aid, and medical clinics.
Concerns Over Safety and Human Rights
Relief groups assert that the policies will endanger staff and undermine international humanitarian law. The joint statement highlights that more than 400 aid workers have died in Gaza, many in marked facilities or convoys. The groups accuse Israel of using aid as a political tool to repress Palestinians and silence critical civil society voices.
They argue that making registration conditional on political alignment violates legal obligations under international law, which require occupying powers to allow impartial humanitarian access.
Global Call to Action
The NGOs are urging the international community to act decisively. They demand more than verbal condemnation and call for diplomatic and political pressure to halt the new restrictions. Failure to act, they warn, will result in further erosion of humanitarian principles and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Broad Coalition of Opposition
55 NGOs endorsed the statement, including Save the Children, Oxfam, Islamic Relief Worldwide, and the American Friends Service Committee. These groups collectively serve millions in the region and are warning that their ability to operate is now severely threatened.
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50 NGOs protest Israel’s restrictions on aid to Palestinians
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