Through legislation and political measures, Israel is weaponizing financial, legal, and administrative tools to silence organizations that document and prosecute human rights violations, obstruct justice, and suppress dissenting voices. These measures are part of a broader strategy to entrench impunity and shield Israel from scrutiny as it continues its assaults on the Palestinian people, in what many reputable international organizations have described as genocide.
Crippling Civil Society Through Tyrannical Taxes
The NGO tax bill currently being advanced in the Knesset seeks to impose an 80% tax on foreign government funding provided to civil society organizations registered as NGOs in Israel. The bill also aims to prevent organizations that are primarily funded by foreign government entities, as defined by Israel, from accessing Israeli courts. This proposed legislation is a direct attack on the financial sustainability of organizations that monitor and document human rights violations, particularly those documenting war crimes and abuses committed by the Israeli state.
Criminalizing Justice: The International Criminal Court Law
Another draft law threatens to criminalize any cooperation with the International Criminal Court and imposes prison sentences of up to five years on individuals who provide documentation or testimony related to Israeli war crimes. This proposed law is a blatant attempt to obstruct international legal processes, intimidate human rights defenders, and ensure impunity for Israeli officials and military personnel involved in serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Crackdown on the Registration of International NGOs
New government directives grant Israeli authorities broad powers to refuse or cancel the registration of international NGOs operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, including those providing essential humanitarian aid or documenting human rights violations. This campaign seeks to eliminate independent oversight and humanitarian aid.
Entry Banned for Supporting International Accountability
On February 19, 2025, the Israeli Knesset passed legislation expanding restrictions on the entry of non-citizens, barring residency or entry to Israel based on vaguely defined political positions. Under this law, individuals or organizations who—according to Israeli authorities—deny the events of October 7 or the Holocaust, or who express support for legal accountability efforts against members of the Israeli armed forces before international courts, can be denied entry to Israel. This legislation builds upon a 2017 amendment that barred entry to individuals or organizations advocating for boycotts of Israel. In practice, Israel has long used such restrictions to prevent the entry of human rights defenders, legal professionals, and civil society actors critical of its policies. These vague provisions are exploited by Israel to obstruct international oversight and accountability, further isolating our human rights efforts from global justice mechanisms.
We urge governments, international institutions, and civil society to take immediate action. Governments must make the protection of human rights organizations a condition of their bilateral relations. International legal bodies must challenge the legality of these measures and ensure accountability. International NGOs and donors must maintain and expand their support for threatened Palestinian organizations, ensuring they have the resources to continue their vital work. The public must pressure their governments to oppose Israel’s criminalization of human rights defenders and support independent justice mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court.
At this critical juncture, silence is complicity. The international community must act urgently to protect civil society and defend fundamental rights.
