UK charities, protest groups condemn Israeli ban threat after sanctions
Having warned London of 'consequences' for sanctions, Israel targets UK charities, campaign groups and Palestine Action.
London, United Kingdom – British charities, Palestinian advocacy organisations and the proscribed Palestine Action group have condemned an official Israeli letter maligning their representatives and activists and recommending they be barred from entering Israel.
The document, seen by Al Jazeera, was issued by Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. It recommends border authorities bar employees and activists associated with aid organisations including Oxfam, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Save the Children, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Norwegian Refugee Council, which receives UK funding, as well as campaign groups including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Friends of Al-Aqsa.
The letter, dated September 8, the day the UK banned imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, was previously reported by the BBC and Jerusalem Post.
It makes further accusations against 11 groups in total. The claims against them range from advocating for engagement with Hamas for humanitarian access; demanding an arms embargo against Israel; having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood or working with “terrorist” organisations.