With the Israeli Knesset’s summer session beginning on May 4, a group of organizations has expressed serious concerns about legislative initiatives that they believe threaten human rights organizations in Israel. These proposals are seen as efforts to obstruct justice and suppress dissent, potentially undermining the financial and operational sustainability of these organizations.
The proposed legislation includes an NGO Taxation Bill that introduces an 80% tax on foreign state funding for NGOs critical of the Israeli government. This bill could bar court access for certain NGOs and allow political manipulation by granting discretionary power to exempt favored organizations from this tax. The Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee held its first discussion on this amendment on May 5.
Another significant proposal is the ICC Cooperation Bill, which criminalizes cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), imposing penalties of up to five years in prison for documentation or testimony related to alleged war crimes. This bill mandates reporting contacts with the ICC, deterring civil society from engaging with international justice mechanisms.
Additionally, a new directive under consideration would allow Israeli authorities to deny or revoke registration of international NGOs operating in occupied Palestinian territories based on vaguely defined political criteria. It could also deny work visas to international personnel supporting international accountability.
These measures are perceived as attempts to delegitimize human rights work and shield Israel’s conduct in occupied Palestinian territories from scrutiny.
The signatories urge action from the European Union (EU) and other international bodies. They call upon EU representatives to leverage their influence with Israeli counterparts to withdraw these bills and publicly condemn any legislation curbing freedoms of expression and association. They also encourage members of European parliaments to address these issues through parliamentary mechanisms.
Furthermore, they request that the European Commission ensure long-term funding for human rights organizations and consider activating measures like the EU Blocking Statute to protect those engaging with the ICC from retaliation.
Signatories include various international human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, Pax Christi International, among others. They emphasize that at this pivotal moment, it is crucial for the EU to reinforce its commitment to international justice.
