The Israeli Parliament is debating a controversial bill that would impose an 80 per cent tax on foreign donations to civil society organisations primarily funded by ‘international political entities’. The proposed law would also bar these groups from petitioning Israeli courts. Its supporters claim the move will safeguard national sovereignty by limiting foreign interference in domestic affairs, with exemptions for state-funded groups and smaller organisations. Critics – including numerous civil society organisations (CSOs) and opposition parliamentarians – condemn it as a blatant attempt to silence critical voices, particularly those engaged in human rights monitoring and advocacy.
CIVICUS discusses the proposed legislation with a representative of a CSO based in Jerusalem who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons
