The affected NGOs, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam, and World Vision International, have until March 1 to cease operations.
Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism said the groups’ licenses will be revoked for not submitting “complete and verifiable information” about employees — a step the government claims is necessary to prevent terrorist infiltration.
Some aid groups argue the demands threaten their independence and may violate international humanitarian law. MSF previously said that Israel’s request to provide full staff lists “may amount to a breach of Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law,” and denied knowingly employing anyone involved in military activity.
Israel first notified the groups in March, setting a 10-month deadline to comply with the new rules, including full disclosure of staffing, funding sources, and operational structures. That deadline expired Wednesday.
Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli said the move targets organizations that Israel believes may be aiding terrorism under the cover of humanitarian work. “The message is clear: humanitarian aid is welcome — abusing humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not,” he said.
The United Nations warned the decision could worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called it a “dangerous precedent” that undermines neutrality and other key humanitarian principles.
On Thursday, 18 Israeli NGOs also condemned the government’s decision, saying the registration rules “violate core humanitarian principles of independence and neutrality.”
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Source: BBC, AFP, Euronews