The Mossawa Center strongly opposes the proposed amendment to the Associations Law, recently approved by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation and in a preliminary vote in the Knesset. This bill, disguised as a measure to prevent foreign interference in Israeli affairs, is in reality a dangerous attempt to silence dissent, suppress human rights organizations, and consolidate political control.
The proposed law imposes an exorbitant 80% tax on foreign government donations to human rights organizations, effectively cutting off essential funding from allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union. While extreme right-wing organizations continue to receive foreign private funding without restriction, human rights groups advocating for Palestinian rights and democracy are being selectively targeted.
The bill also grants the Finance Minister unchecked discretionary power to exempt certain organizations, a move that reveals the law’s political bias. Organizations aligned with the government’s far-right ideology will continue receiving international support, while independent voices that challenge government policies will be penalized. The law does not extend to institutions such as hospitals and universities that receive European funding, demonstrating that its sole intent is to stifle civil society organizations.
This law represents a direct attack on freedom of association, further eroding Israel’s democratic foundations. Human rights organizations play a crucial role in holding governments accountable, particularly when state institutions fail to uphold human rights. Historically, independent human rights groups emerged in response to government complicity in human rights violations, especially in the years leading up to World War II.
The bill also limits the ability of organizations to petition Israeli courts, blocking their access to legal recourse. By restricting NGOs from challenging governmental actions, the bill effectively removes a critical mechanism for judicial oversight, thereby strengthening authoritarian governance.
This legislative attack on civil society is part of a broader political strategy by the ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Their efforts to suppress opposition voices extend beyond NGOs; the government has simultaneously moved to weaken the judiciary, restrict academic freedoms, and increase its influence over the media and legal institutions.
The targeting of human rights organizations aligns with statements made by Smotrich in 2022, when he labeled these groups as an "existential threat" to Israel. This rhetoric underscores the government’s intent to delegitimize organizations advocating for democracy and Palestinian rights.
While human rights organizations operate with full transparency, right-wing groups such as Kohelet Policy Forum, Elad, Lehava, and the Temple Mount groups receive millions of shekels from foreign sources without public scrutiny. These organizations play a significant role in shaping Israeli policies, yet their funding remains unregulated. The government’s failure to impose equal transparency measures on all foreign-funded entities exposes the law’s politically motivated nature.
Furthermore, many Israeli institutions, including universities and cultural centers, receive substantial funding from foreign governments. Yet, this bill exclusively penalizes civil society organizations advocating for human rights and democracy.
This is not the first attempt to pass such a bill. In 2023, a similar proposal - then proposing a 65% tax - was abandoned due to international pressure from France, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, and the United States. It is imperative that the international community continues to stand against this anti-democratic legislation.
Domestically, this bill serves as another tool for the ruling coalition to delegitimize human rights organizations. If passed, it will deepen human rights violations against vulnerable communities, not only in the occupied Palestinian territories but also within Israel itself.
The Mossawa Center urges the international community, human rights defenders, and diplomatic missions to take immediate action. We call on governments to contact the Israeli Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee to demand: (1) the immediate withdrawal of this bill and an end to legislative efforts targeting civil society organizations; (2) equal transparency requirements for all organizations receiving foreign funding, including right-wing groups; (3) the protection of NGOs' right to petition the Supreme Court and other judicial bodies; (4) increased international pressure on the Israeli government to uphold democratic principles and human rights standards.
The Mossawa Center remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting civil society, advocating for the rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel, and resisting legislative measures that threaten democracy. We will not be deterred from our mission to support victims of human rights violations and hold those responsible accountable. Instead of upholding democratic values, the Israeli government is waging a war against human rights defenders - an act that will only lead to greater injustices. We ensure that civil society remains strong and resilient against these attacks.
