Human Rights Organizations Criticize Israeli Supreme Court Decision on Registration Procedures for International Humanitarian Organizations

SadaNews - A group of civil society and human rights organizations in Israel has expressed its deep concern regarding the Israeli Supreme Court's decision to reject the petition submitted by the Alliance for International Development Agencies (AIDA) and 18 international humanitarian organizations against the new registration procedures set by the Israeli government for humanitarian organizations operating in the Palestinian territories.

The organizations stated in a joint statement that the decision provides legal cover for a policy that would restrict the work of international humanitarian organizations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and limits Palestinians' access to humanitarian assistance and basic services.

The organizations considered that the new registration procedures violate humanitarian principles, foremost among them independence and neutrality, by linking humanitarian activity to political positions, and also impose the disclosure of sensitive personal data of Palestinian staff, which could expose them to surveillance or harm and place the organizations in situations concerning compliance with privacy laws.

The statement added that the decision comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and deteriorating economic and security conditions in the West Bank, accusing the Israeli authorities of using their control over the movement of individuals and humanitarian aid to intensify pressure on Palestinians.

The organizations called on the international community to take practical steps to ensure full and uninterrupted access to humanitarian assistance for Palestinians without obstacles, and to work on protecting their rights and holding Israel accountable for fulfilling its obligations under international law.

The organizations include: Physicians for Human Rights - Israel, the Committee Against Torture, B'Tselem, Bimkom - Planning and Human Rights, The Human Rights Defenders Fund, Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Ir Amim, Ameer Shvyeh, Breaking the Silence, Machsom Watch - Women Against the Occupation and for Human Rights, Mossawa - Center for the Defense of Freedom of Movement, Combatants for Peace, Hamoked - Center for the Defense of the Individual, and Yesh Din.