Israel approves law restricting human rights groups

Yes, on July 19, 2021, the Israeli Knesset (parliament) approved a law that restricts the activities of human rights organizations in Israel. The law, known as the "NGO Transparency Law," requires non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive more than 50% of their funding from foreign governments to publicly disclose their sources of funding.

The law was passed with a majority of 87-15 votes, with several opposition parties voting against it. The law is seen as a blow to the independence and freedom of human rights organizations in Israel, which often rely on foreign funding to carry out their work.

The law is widely seen as a response to criticism from human rights organizations of Israeli government policies, particularly with regard to the treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories. Many human rights organizations in Israel have been critical of Israeli settlement expansion, the separation barrier, and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

The law has been condemned by human rights groups and international organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations. They argue that the law is an attempt to silence and intimidate human rights organizations, and that it undermines the ability of civil society to hold the government accountable for its actions.

The Israeli government has defended the law, saying that it is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the activities of NGOs. However, many critics argue that the law is a form of censorship and that it will have a chilling effect on the work of human rights organizations in Israel.

The law is also seen as part of a broader trend of restrictions on civil society in Israel, including laws that restrict the activities of human rights organizations and limit the ability of NGOs to receive foreign funding.