A proposed 80% tax on foreign income for Israeli civic organisations is drawing fierce criticism from peace campaigners and Jewish leaders in the UK, who warn the measure could cripple human rights work and signals a shift towards authoritarianism in Israel.
The legislation, now under deliberation in the Israeli parliament, would impose a punitive tax on donations received from foreign entities by NGOs operating within Israel—particularly those opposing the war in Gaza or advocating for Palestinian rights. Government-funded organisations would be exempt.
Critics Warn of ‘Death Blow’ to Israeli NGOs
Prominent activists say the Israel foreign funding tax threatens to silence dissent at a time of escalating conflict in Gaza. London-based filmmaker and academic Sharone Lifschitz, whose father was abducted and killed on 7 October, said: “This would be a death blow to so many peace activities. The UK and EU must respond decisively if this bill passes.”
Hannah Weisfeld, executive director of British Jewish group Yachad, added: “The worry is ending up like Russia, where many human rights groups can’t operate on the ground.”
Yesh Din, an Israeli NGO that monitors human rights abuses against Palestinians, is among the organisations that would be severely impacted, as it relies almost entirely on foreign support.
Jewish Voices in the UK Voice Alarm Over Israel’s Direction
Senior Jewish figures in the UK are voicing growing unease over Israel’s leadership. Arabella Duffield, trustee of the Clore Israel Foundation, wrote in the Financial Times that the Netanyahu government is “endangering what’s left of its moral authority.”
Chef Yotam Ottolenghi, who was born in Israel, expressed heartbreak over the use of starvation as a tool in the Gaza conflict, writing on Instagram: “No child should go hungry as a result of war.”
International Leaders Condemn Gaza Offensive
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under pressure from international leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian PM Mark Carney, who warned that Israel’s actions in Gaza are “wholly disproportionate” and risk breaching international humanitarian law.
UNRWA estimates that tens of thousands of civilians have been killed or injured since the ceasefire collapsed in March.
Netanyahu dismissed the criticism, claiming these leaders were “on the wrong side of history.”
