UK charities, protest groups condemn Israeli ban threat after sanctions
Summary
Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs sent a letter recommending that border authorities bar employees and activists from several UK-based charities and campaign groups from entering Israel. This move follows the UK banning imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, leading to Israeli retaliation including banning some British MPs and closing a British consulate.Key Facts
- Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs wrote a letter naming UK-linked groups and activists to be barred from Israel.
- The letter targets groups like Oxfam, Islamic Relief, Save the Children, Medical Aid for Palestinians, and campaign groups supporting Palestine.
- The letter was issued on September 8, the same day the UK banned imports from illegal Israeli settlements.
- Israel has banned 11 British MPs and a lawyer from entering, ordered the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem, and ended British training of Palestinian forces.
- Accusations against these groups include supporting Hamas, advocating boycotts, or calling Israel's actions genocide.
- Save the Children reports difficulty obtaining visas for staff to provide aid in Gaza and West Bank due to Israeli restrictions.
- The restrictions on international aid have increased since the war in Gaza began, affecting food, medicine, doctors, and humanitarian workers.
- Palestine Action, known for protests against Israeli weapons companies, is also named in the letter.
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