Background and Relevance
More than 50 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have recently criticized the Israeli government’s decision to revoke licenses of over 35 aid organizations operating in Palestinian territories. These NGOs are crucial for delivering humanitarian assistance, especially in the Gaza Strip, where a severe crisis has left the population struggling.
NGOs’ Concerns and Actions
Joint Statement: The 53 NGOs highlighted that international NGOs are an integral part of the humanitarian response, working alongside the United Nations and Palestinian civil society organizations to deliver essential aid at scale.
- Humanitarian Needs: Despite the ceasefire, humanitarian needs remain extreme. In Gaza, one in four families survives on a single daily meal. Winter storms have displaced tens of thousands, leaving 1.3 million in urgent need of shelter.
- NGO Contributions: International NGOs deliver more than half of the food assistance in Gaza, manage or support 60% of pop-up hospitals, lead about three-quarters of shelter and non-food activities, and treat children with severe acute malnutrition.
- Impact of Revocation: The expulsion of these NGOs will close healthcare facilities, halt food distribution, disrupt shelter supply, and cut vital care. In the West Bank, military raids and settler violence continue to force displacement. Reduced access for international NGOs will drastically limit critical assistance during a crucial time.
Accusations and Defense
The NGOs argue that Israel’s efforts to revoke or not renew licenses through selective metrics do not accurately reflect how humanitarian assistance is delivered in practice.
- Compliance with Donors: International NGOs operate under strict compliance frameworks set by donors, including audits, anti-terrorism financing controls, and due diligence standards that meet international norms.
- Data Protection: NGOs cannot share sensitive personal data with a party in conflict, as this would violate humanitarian principles, the duty of care, and data protection obligations.
- False Narratives: False narratives delegitimize humanitarian organizations, endanger staff, and undermine aid delivery.
Legal Obligations and Precedent
The NGOs emphasize that restricting humanitarian assistance is a deliberate political decision with foreseeable consequences. Allowing registrations to lapse would obstruct large-scale humanitarian assistance, they argue.
- Legal Obligation: Access to humanitarian assistance is a legal obligation under International Humanitarian Law, not optional, conditional, or political.
- Dangerous Precedent: This move would extend Israeli authority over humanitarian operations in occupied Palestinian territories, contrary to the internationally recognized legal framework governing the territory and the role of the Palestinian Authority.
Call to Action for Donors
The NGOs urge donor governments to use all available tools to achieve the suspension and revocation of these actions, ensuring independent and principle-based humanitarian operations to guarantee that civilians receive urgently needed assistance.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the issue? The Israeli government has revoked licenses of over 35 international NGOs operating in Palestinian territories, threatening humanitarian aid delivery.
- Why are these NGOs important? They deliver essential aid, work alongside UN and Palestinian civil society organizations, and are crucial in addressing severe humanitarian needs in Gaza.
- What are the consequences of revoking licenses? It will close healthcare facilities, halt food distribution, disrupt shelter supply, and cut vital care, further exacerbating the crisis.
- What do donor governments need to do? They should use all available tools to reverse these actions and protect independent, principle-based humanitarian operations.
