Israel’s bill to limit foreign governments’ donations to NGOs

di Alessandro Batazzi

Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation passed on Sunday a bill limiting foreign governments’ donations to Israeli NGOs. The limit set for donations to NGOs and human rights groups is NIS 200,000 (about € 3,900), while a secondary bill imposes a tax of 45% on all foreign donations. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyhau supported the text, stating its necessity in light of “acts of incitement by many organizations operating in the guise of human rights organizations that seek to influence political discourse, the character, and policy of the State of Israel”. EU and US officials contacted the Prime Minister to pressure him to shelf the bill before the vote, stating it would harm freedom of association and speech. The EU Ambassador in Israel stated that the bill would harm Israel’s image as a democracy.

Opposition to the bill included six government ministries, who argued that the bill shows major disrespect to Israel’s democratic norms and values. The text will weaken especially left-wing NGOs who receive most of their funds from the European Union, as they represent a strong source of opposition to the governing coalition.

The debate surrounding the legislation claims that the Israeli government seeks to limit the activity of NGOs allegedly opposing its stance on the Palestinian situation. Furthermore, commentators have argued that the EU and other international organization would not allow Israel or any other foreign actor to fund NGOs supporting separatist organizations as the Basque movement in Spain.