The Israeli government’s recent proposal to impose a new registration regime on international NGOs operating in Gaza threatens to tighten an already fragile humanitarian lifeline. The system introduces vague and broad criteria—such as alleged “delegitimisation of Israel” or past support for boycotts—that could be used to reject organisations on arbitrary grounds. It also demands exhaustive personal data on every employee, including family passports, exposing staff to heightened security risks in a region where humanitarian workers already face harassment and detention. 

These new changes are set to be introduced on 9 September and threaten to deregister and prevent many major international NGOs from operating. In the middle of a famine, with multiple obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian relief, this represents a major danger.  

Our analysis is clear: these measures will further restrict agencies’ ability to deliver life‑saving assistance, deepening the famine recently declared in Gaza. When NGOs must choose between complying with intrusive regulations and providing aid, the most vulnerable populations inevitably suffer. This undermines international humanitarian law, which protects civilians in conflict zones, and sets a dangerous precedent for future restrictions on humanitarian space. 

In response, Caritas Australia has mobilised our community. Over 1,000 supporters have signed a pledge demanding our government tell the Israeli Government to halt this registration process and uphold unrestricted access for aid organisations. We are in Canberra this week delivering the pledge to the Australian Government. Your voices amplify a collective call for greater transparency, accountability, and respect for humanitarian principles.