An official document obtained by Al Jazeera reveals that in 2013, Israel collected detailed information on more than 150 global charities, singling out some for their perceived positions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The spreadsheet, accessed via an Israeli ministry website, included basic details such as directors’ names, addresses, and areas of work.

In a comments column, 15 organisations were flagged with descriptions like “critic of Israel” for France-based Premiere Urgence Internationale, “involved in anti-Israel campaigning” for Geneva-based Defence for Children International, and “highly involved in BDS” for Mundubat in Spain. The document also suggested that Oxfam was “active in global BDS efforts” and encouraged NGOs to support projects in the occupied West Bank without Israeli Civil Administration approval, which it described as violations of international law.

Oxfam responded to Al Jazeera stating that these comments “appear to reflect allegations and interpretations, rather than an objective assessment” of its work.

Experts note that in 2013, Israel was intensifying scrutiny of organisations linked to BDS, possibly to support later legislation. In 2011, Israel enacted a law imposing sanctions on individuals or entities calling for economic, cultural, or academic boycotts of Israel or its West Bank settlements. A 2017 ban further targeted BDS supporters.

The Palestine Solidarity Association of Sweden, which no longer operates in the occupied Palestinian territories, confirmed that Israeli officials closely monitor networks supporting the Palestinian cause.

This scrutiny of NGOs has intensified amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which began in October 2023 and has resulted in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, according to health officials. During this conflict, Israeli authorities have restricted life-saving aid into Gaza, barred foreign humanitarian workers and doctors, and demanded 37 NGOs provide personal details of their Palestinian staff to continue operations.

Sources