Israel’s 2013NGO Surveillance: Targeting BDS Critics and Humanitarian Organizations

An internal Israeli government document obtained by Al Jazeera reveals a 2013 initiative to track global charities, focusing on those perceived as critical of Israel’s actions in the occupied territories. The spreadsheet, accessed through the Ministry of Welfare, categorized over 150 organizations, recording details like leadership contacts, locations, and areas of operation.

Notably, 15 NGOs received annotations such as “critic of Israel” (e.g., France-based Premiere Urgence Internationale), “anti-Israel campaigning” (Defence for Children International), or ties to the BDS movement (Mundubat in Spain). Organizations like Oxfam were labeled as “active in global BDS efforts,” with the document cautioning against unapproved projects in the West Bank.

Oxfam clarified these remarks were “allegations, not objective assessments,” asserting its compliance with international law. The charity emphasized that Israeli settlements breach humanitarian law, a stance echoed by Gisha, an Israeli NGO advocating Palestinian mobility rights, which noted the file “has nothing to do with security” but highlights systemic monitoring of aid groups.

The dataset, procured via the Ministry of Labour (now Welfare), aligns with efforts to curb BDS influence. Experts like Mayssoun Sukarieh note this monitoring intensified amid BDS campaigns in 2013, preceding a 2017 law banning BDS supporters from entering Israel. NGO Monitor, an Israel-based entity cited as a source, has been criticized as right-leaning for targeting pro-Palestine groups, including documenting “anti-Israel NGO networks in the US.”

The document’s timing reflects broader tensions. During the 2013 BDS surge—marked by boycotts led by figures like Stephen Hawking and advocacy from the United Church of Canada—Israel sought to identify and sanction entities associated with the movement. Legal expert Giovanni Fassina argued the file was part of a long-term strategy to restrict BDS-aligned organizations, a practice dating back to a 2011 law imposing sanctions on individuals or groups calling for boycotts.

The spreadsheet includes diverse NGOs such as Medico International (Germany), Medical Aid for Palestinians (UK), and the Palestinian Solidarity Association of Sweden, which describes itself as a “strategic threat” to Israel due to its BDS advocacy. These groups argue their actions promote accountability for Israeli policies, while Israel frames their work as destabilizing.

Recent restrictions during Israel’s 2023 Gaza conflict underscore lingering tensions. Charities were barred from delivering aid, foreign workers barred entry, and 37 NGOs required staff details to operate in Gaza. Critics argue these measures reflect enduring scrutiny of humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians, a legacy of Israel’s 2013 surveillance tactics.

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