Exploiting Humanitarian Visas: How Anti-Israel NGOs Manipulate the System

NGO Monitor's Report, Analysis and Recommendations

On March 10, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism introduced a new procedure for granting visas to humanitarian aid organizations. This procedure, aimed at increasing transparency and political accountability, now includes the assessment of organizations' political activities, such as delegitimization efforts, lawfare against Israel, and affiliations with other political agendas. Furthermore, NGOs must disclose their funding sources and provide full transparency regarding their partners.

The Challenge: Abuse of Humanitarian Visas

For over 15 years, NGO Monitor has meticulously documented the activities of international NGOs that are registered in Israel. These NGOs, many of which are involved in anti-Israel lawfare, BDS campaigns, and delegitimization efforts, have long exploited Israel’s open visa system for humanitarian purposes. The lack of regulation surrounding the approval and monitoring of NGOs has allowed these organizations to shift their focus from genuine humanitarian aid to political advocacy, undermining Israel’s security and international standing.

Distorting Humanitarian Aid

A number of NGOs that are officially registered in Israel and listed by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs are engaged in activities that go beyond traditional humanitarian aid. Instead of providing relief to those in need, some organizations leverage their access to promote one-sided political campaigns that delegitimize Israel. Notably, these NGOs operate under the auspices of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), but their primary objective in the West Bank and Gaza is not to provide aid but to push a political agenda

Here is a summary of the international NGOs mentioned for their abuse of Israeli humanitarian visas:

1. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC): NRC has been heavily criticized for its political activities, including exploiting the Israeli legal system to advance the Palestinian cause. It has filed thousands of cases against Israeli policies, supporting the expansion of Palestinian control in Area C and advocating for international sanctions against Israel. NRC has also funded organizations linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated terrorist group. NRC has also called for exemptions from anti-terrorism laws, which could weaken vetting standards for humanitarian aid.

2. Diakonia: A Swedish aid agency, Diakonia has supported anti-Israel lawfare, particularly at the International Criminal Court (ICC). They have focused on promoting the "apartheid" narrative, calling for sanctions and pressure on Israel. Diakonia has also backed BDS initiatives and supported groups that aim to delegitimize Israel internationally. They have been involved in advocacy campaigns encouraging governments to bypass Israeli regulations and fund groups with ties to terrorism.

3. World Vision: World Vision, an international humanitarian organization, was involved in a major scandal when one of its Gaza leaders, Mohammad El-Halabi, was convicted of diverting funds to Hamas for terrorism purposes. Investigations into its operations in Israel revealed that World Vision’s local branch was involved in activities contrary to its stated humanitarian goals, including providing support to Hamas and engaging in illegal military activities.

4. Oxfam Novib: This Belgian-Dutch NGO has supported BDS campaigns and engaged in legal efforts targeting Israel. For example, it played a significant role in a lawsuit that pressured the Dutch government to halt the transfer of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel. Oxfam Novib has been involved in lawfare against Israel and supports actions that seek to isolate the country internationally.

Recommendations for Reform

To prevent further exploitation, the Israeli government must take stronger steps to regulate humanitarian aid organizations. The following reforms are essential:

1. Clear Definition of Humanitarian Activity: Israel must define humanitarian aid activities in precise terms and ensure that NGOs adhere to these standards. This includes a thorough vetting process for each applicant and a system to track and evaluate the activities of registered NGOs.

2. Enhanced Transparency: NGOs must provide clear information about their projects, including partner organizations, goals, and funding sources. This transparency will help ensure that aid is used for its intended purpose rather than being redirected for political campaigns.

3. Stronger Sanctions and Vetting: Israel should implement a more robust framework for vetting NGOs applying for humanitarian visas, including a database to track projects and clear criteria for assessing whether an NGO is fulfilling its stated mission. Any violations should result in sanctions, visa revocation, or even removal from the registry.

When granting visas to NGOs, it’s important to consider not just security and humanitarian factors, but also their involvement in delegitimization campaigns against Israel. This includes NGOs that:

1. Collaborate with terror-linked organizations (e.g., Hamas, PFLP).

2. Support Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

3. Interfere with IDF operations or disrupt military activities.

4. Engage in lawfare, using legal means to challenge Israeli policies.

5. Demonize and delegitimize Israel, often through false narratives.

These activities can harm Israel's security, international standing, and sovereignty, making them key considerations in visa decisions. The question remains, will Israel follow the recommendations in the report?

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