Spain, the EU, and some twenty other countries denounce Israeli law restricting international NGOs

The Diplomat Spain, the European Union, and some twenty other countries have issued a joint declaration on humanitarian access to Gaza, denouncing the Israeli registration law that limits the activities of international NGOs. “We, the undersigned, express our deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation that persists in Gaza. The aid reaching Gaza remains woefully inadequate, both in quantity and quality, and almost the entire population depends on life-saving services,” begins the text, signed by Spain, Australia, Austria, Belgium, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management (Hadja Lahbib), Denmark, Slovakia, Estonia, France, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland. According to the signatories, the recent decision by Israel’s Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal filed by international NGOs regarding the registration law is a cause for “deep concern.” “The registration law will severely affect and limit the ability of international NGOs to operate in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,” they warn. “We once again urge Israel not to implement the registration law in its current form,” the statement continues. International NGOs, the signatories assert, “are a vital part of the humanitarian response and collaborate with Palestinian civil society organizations and the United Nations to provide a significant portion of essential services in sectors such as water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, field hospitals, education, nutrition, and demining.” “These are professional and transparent organizations that play an indispensable role in the provision of principled humanitarian aid and are crucial for early recovery, reconstruction efforts, and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803,” the text concludes. “Their work is crucial for the survival and well-being of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” it adds. According to the statement, the law on the registration of international NGOs “is part of a broader pattern of restrictive measures.” “Limited opening and operating hours at border crossings, restrictions on the entry of essential goods considered dual-use, and other bureaucratic obstacles limit the urgently needed humanitarian response to meet the immense needs on the ground,” the signatory countries denounce. “While we recognize the State of Israel’s security concerns, we urge Israel, the occupying power in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,” they continue. “Humanitarian access is non-negotiable. All internationally recognized humanitarian organizations—international NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and United Nations agencies, including UNRWA—must be able to carry out their vital work without hindrance,” they warn. “Israel is obligated to guarantee and facilitate, without delay, the safe, rapid, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population and to refrain from any action that in any way impedes the delivery of such aid, including that provided by humanitarian organizations,” the statement concludes.

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