New Delhi, March 17 : In March 2025, the Israeli government introduced new visa and registration regulations for international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the West Bank and Gaza. These regulations, which will take effect in six months, have raised significant concerns among humanitarian groups and global policymakers.
Key Provisions of the New Regulations
The new rules provide Israeli authorities with extensive discretion to approve or reject NGO registrations based on broad political and security-related criteria. NGOs must now reapply for registration under the new system or face potential deregistration.
Grounds for Registration Rejection
The guidelines allow Israel to reject NGO registrations if:
- Any organization or its staff has previously expressed support for actions deemed hostile to Israel’s national interests.
- Alleged support for boycotts, questioning Israel’s status as a Jewish and democratic state, or backing legal action against Israeli security forces.
NGOs have criticized these criteria as overly broad and politically motivated, warning that they could hinder neutral humanitarian efforts.
Disclosure Requirements
The new regulations require NGOs to submit detailed identification data of their Palestinian employees, including names, contact details, and national ID numbers. Humanitarian organizations argue that this mandate compromises staff security, particularly in Gaza, where over 300 aid workers have reportedly lost their lives in ongoing conflict.
Israeli Government’s Defense
Israel’s COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) claims the new system is designed to streamline outdated processes and safeguard national security. However, critics argue this is part of a broader campaign to restrict humanitarian access in Gaza.
Impact on Humanitarian Operations
The regulations also require NGOs to disclose information about:
- Foreign staff and their families.
- Donor details and affiliations with UN agencies or other organizations.
Non-compliance may result in deregistration, with only seven days allotted for appeals — a timeframe deemed insufficient by many NGOs.
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
Legal experts argue the new regulations conflict with international humanitarian law, under which Israel is obligated to facilitate aid access to Gaza and the West Bank. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to ensure adequate humanitarian assistance in Gaza to prevent mass suffering.
NGO New Regulation Link :
http://Implementation of New Israeli NGO Registration and Visa Regulations, March 2025
NGO Responses and Challenges
Following Israel’s High Court rejection of a legal challenge to the regulations filed by the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), NGOs now face limited legal options. Organizations are now torn between continuing vital humanitarian services or ceasing operations to uphold their principles of neutrality and security.
Potential Consequences and Future Risks
Aid agencies warn that these restrictive measures could set a dangerous precedent for other nations to limit humanitarian work under the pretext of national security. Many organizations are now developing contingency plans, including:
- Remote programming options.
- Expanding partnerships with local NGOs.
- Strengthening security measures for Palestinian staff.
Conclusion
The implementation of these new regulations presents significant challenges for humanitarian organizations operating in the region. With limited legal recourse and heightened risks for aid workers, the future of critical life-saving operations in Gaza and the West Bank remains uncertain.
