In a significant policy shift, the Israeli government has approved a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish an inter-ministerial team under the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Struggle Against Antisemitism to oversee the registration of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused primarily on providing social welfare assistance to Palestinian Authority residents.
The new regulations outline specific criteria for registering organizations and approving their employees’ work visas. Among the considerations is the organization’s stance on Israel, particularly regarding its involvement in activities such as calls to boycott the State of Israel or efforts to delegitimize the country’s existence.
The move is expected to have far-reaching implications for both Israeli-Palestinian Authority relations and the operations of international NGOs. Organizations that align with the new criteria will be able to continue their work, while those considered problematic under Israel’s new framework may face more stringent restrictions. It’s certainly time for this type of action!