Palestinian civil society organizations are accusing Israel and the United States of clamping down on international aid groups working in Gaza.
Addressing a virtual news conference on Friday, Amjad Shawa, the Director of the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), stated that the new registration requirements, set to begin on September 9, are specifically targeting these organizations.
The new guidelines for international non-governmental organizations in Palestine demand extensive personal details of staff, and prohibit the employment of individuals who have called for boycotts or “delegitimization campaigns.”
The Israeli government sanctioned and adopted the regulations in March. Aid groups that don’t meet the requirements face de-registration.
The Israeli military department responsible for coordinating with humanitarian groups, known as COGAT, would implement and enforce the guidelines.
Issam Younis, the Executive Director of Al Mezan, a humanitarian organization based in a Gaza refugee camp, criticized the new rules as a way of muzzling Palestinian voices in the face of an intensifying Israeli offensive.
“The whole rationale is to silence those who will report the dire situation in Palestine,” he said. “What is needed is concrete action to stop this.”
Aid groups that addressed Friday’s press briefing faulted the United States, accusing it of playing the “bully” in its support of Israel.
Israel’s attacks on Gaza have killed more than 64,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
Data from the ministry show 217 journalists and media workers, 120 academics, and over 224 humanitarian aid workers have also been killed.
