Oxfam calls for urgent action over new Israeli NGO registration rules

Oxfam and 54 other organisations have called on the international community to take action against Israel’s new registration rules for international NGOs. The organisations argue that the rules, which impose vague and politically motivated criteria, threaten to silence humanitarian efforts and further entrench Israeli control over Palestinian territories.

“These rules appear designed to assert control over independent humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding operations,” Oxfam said in a statement.

The new regulations, which could lead to the de-registration of existing INGOs, make it harder for organisations to operate by introducing politically charged disqualifiers, such as supporting accountability for Israeli violations of international law. Oxfam warns that these measures are not routine but signal a dangerous escalation in restrictions on humanitarian work, potentially forcing organisations to choose between delivering aid or advocating for international law.

“Humanitarian and human rights advocacy is being framed as a threat to the state,” Oxfam added, highlighting the risk to organisations simply for speaking out against violations they witness.