Amichai Chikli

Force in Play

Enforcing new NGO vetting requirements

Israel banned 25 major aid groups—including Doctors Without Borders, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and CARE International—from Gaza starting January 1, 2026. The organizations refused to hand over lists of their Palestinian staff, citing security fears and European data laws. Israel said they failed vetting for activities that "delegitimize" the state, a term aid workers say has no clear definition. Ten countries—including the UK, France, Canada, and Japan—issued a joint statement calling the restrictions "unacceptable."

Updated Dec 30, 2025