Israel scrutinises global NGOs, document shows

A recent report based on a document Al Jazeera obtained shows that in 2013 Israel compiled a spreadsheet cataloguing about 150 charities and basic details about them, then added a notes column describing some NGOs’ stances on the Israel-Palestine conflict, including labels like critic of Israel or highly involved in BDS. The notes targeted well-known humanitarian groups such as Oxfam, Premiere Urgence Internationale, Defence for Children International, and Mundubat, among others, raising questions about how the information was gathered and used. Oxfam rejected the comments as unsubstantiated and said it does not support the BDS movement, while stressing its commitment to international law. Israeli NGO Gisha argued the document is not a security measure but evidence that the government tracks the activities of organizations aiding Palestinians. The reporting highlights concerns that such tracking could chill humanitarian work and curb donations, even as activists frame it as government surveillance of civil society. The stories underscore ongoing debate over how state monitoring intersects with humanitarian aid and civil society advocacy in the region.