‘Active in BDS’: Document reveals how Israel scrutinised global NGOs

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that an internal Israeli government spreadsheet from 2013, accessed through an Israeli ministry website, documented information on more than 150 charities and flagged some for perceived positions on Israel and Palestine. The file reportedly included routine contact and operational details, while a comments field described 15 organizations with labels such as critics of Israel, anti-Israel campaigners or supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

Among the groups named were Oxfam, Defence for Children International, Premiere Urgence Internationale, Mundubat, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Norwegian Refugee Council, DanChurchAid, Medico International and others. Oxfam told Al Jazeera the remarks appeared to be allegations or interpretations rather than objective findings, and said it does not support or promote BDS. Medico International also told the outlet it had not called for boycotts, though it defended the right of others to do so.

Al Jazeera said the spreadsheet was obtained from the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, formerly the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Social Services, and that the ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The report says many comments in the document cited NGO Monitor, an Israel-based group that describes itself as nonpartisan but has campaigned against what it calls anti-Israel NGO networks.

The document matters because it offers a snapshot of how Israeli authorities were tracking international NGOs at a time when BDS advocacy was becoming more visible. Experts cited by Al Jazeera connected the file to Israel’s broader legal and political campaign against boycotts, including a 2017 law barring entry to foreign nationals who support BDS.