Global NGOs criticize 'Israel's' restrictions on Gaza aid in open letter
The letter highlights that tensions between 'Israel' and foreign-backed NGOs have long existed, with officials often criticizing the organizations for bias.
"Israeli authorities have rejected requests from dozens of NGOs to bring in lifesaving goods, citing that these organisations are 'not authorised to deliver aid'," the joint statement reads. The letter notes that at least 60 such requests were denied in July alone.
The new law, approved in March, updates the registration requirements for foreign NGOs working with Palestinians and outlines the conditions under which applications can be denied or a group's registration revoked. Authorities may reject registration if a group is deemed to deny 'Israel's' democratic character or "promotes delegitimisation campaigns" against the country.
"Unfortunately, many aid organisations serve as a cover for hostile and sometimes violent activity," 'Israel's' Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "Organizations that have no connection to hostile or violent activity and no ties to the boycott movement will be granted permission to operate," he added.
Aid organizations, however, argue that the law is leaving civilians without critical support.
"Our mandate is to save lives, but due to the registration restrictions civilians are being left without the food, medicine and protection they urgently need," said Jolien Veldwijk, director of CARE in the Palestinian territories. Veldwijk noted that CARE has been unable to deliver aid to Gaza since 'Israel' imposed a full blockade in March, despite a partial easing in May.
'Israel' has cited concerns over Hamas diverting aid as a reason for the restrictions. Since May, the government has relied on the controversial US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to manage food distribution.
Meanwhile, Gaza's civil defense agency reports ongoing chaos at distribution centers, with thousands of residents scrambling for supplies each day and some injured by gunfire from the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ammon
an hour ago
- Ammon
Israel says it targeted energy infrastructure site in Yemen
Ammon News - The Israeli occupation military said it had targeted an energy infrastructure site that was used by the Iran-aligned Houthis south of the Yemeni capital Sanaa early on Sunday, with Israeli media saying the Haziz power station had been hit. The military said in a statement that the strikes were in response to repeated attacks by the Houthis against Israel, including launching missiles and drones towards its territory. Israeli media reported earlier that the attack on the Haziz power station near the capital was carried out by the Israeli navy. Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said that the power station was hit by an "aggression", knocking some of its generators out of service. It did not indicate the source of the attack. At least two explosions were heard earlier in Sanaa, residents said. Reuters
Ammon
an hour ago
- Ammon
France calls on Israel to abandon the E1 colonial project
Ammon News - The French Foreign Ministry called on Israel to abandon the E1 project, which aims to expand settlements seized from Palestinian citizens in East Jerusalem. In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli settlement plan in the E1 area, which would separate Jerusalem from the West Bank. The statement called on Israel to abandon this project, which constitutes a serious violation of international law. It warned that its implementation would divide the West Bank in two and seriously undermine the two-state solution. The statement stressed that the two-state solution is the only solution that guarantees lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. WAFA
Roya News
8 hours ago
- Roya News
Brazil's Bolsonaro leaves house arrest for medical exams
Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro left his home where he is under house arrest to undergo medical exams on Saturday, weeks before the Supreme Court rules whether he is guilty of plotting a coup. The right-wing firebrand is accused of attempting to hold onto power despite his 2022 electoral defeat by current leftist leader, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro, 70, has been under house arrest since early August for violating a judicial ban on using social networks to plead his case to the public. A judge agreed to temporarily lift that measure so he could get medical attention for what Bolsonaro's attorneys said were gastrointestinal problems resulting from a 2018 stabbing attack while he campaigned for president. In particular, their request noted his chronic "reflux and hiccup symptoms" and need to go to hospital for tests, including an intestinal endoscopy. Doctor Leandro Echenique told journalists outside the hospital that the tests showed Bolsonaro recently had two bouts of pneumonia. "He is making a good recovery," the doctor added. Claudio Birolini, who was Bolsonaro's surgeon from 2019 to 2022, said "everything is in order," but the ex-president continues to suffer from inflammation of the esophagus and some reflux. "The fact that he is home now hinders his physical activity a little, so we are suggesting that he intensify his weight training he cannot walk, he cannot do anything like that," the surgeon said. Supporters turn out Bolsonaro arrived on Saturday morning at a medical center in the capital Brasilia, where he briefly greeted around 20 supporters waiting for him outside with Brazilian, Israeli and US flags. "We believe that Jair Bolsonaro will be president of Brazil in 2026," Marcia Maria, a supporter waiting outside the hospital, told AFP. "The people demand it." The former president did not address journalists who were also gathered. He then returned home. Brazil's Supreme Court will begin deciding on September 2 on the coup attempt charges against Bolsonaro, who led Latin America's largest country from 2019 to 2022. He faces up to 40 years in prison if found guilty. Bolsonaro has maintained his innocence and earned support from US President Donald Trump, who has called the trial a "witch hunt."
