Israel Bans Entry for British Aid and Protest Groups

British charities, protest groups, and Palestine Action have slammed a new Israeli move that threatens to bar their members from entering the country. The warning came after London imposed sanctions on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israel had already hinted at severe fallout for what it calls hostile actions by Britain's government. Now those threats are turning into reality.

A document obtained by Al Jazeera shows Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism is recommending that border officials deny entry to staff from major aid groups like Oxfam, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Save the Children, Medical Aid for Palestinians, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. The letter also targets campaign organizations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Friends of Al-Aqsa. These accusations surfaced on September 8, the same day the UK banned imports from the settlements.

Ismail Patel, who leads Friends of Al-Aqsa, says his group openly supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. The Israeli letter accuses him of joining anti-Israel rallies in London and making harsh public statements about the state. When asked if this ban would scare them off, Patel told Al Jazeera that seeing Israel plan such a ban proves their BDS campaign is working. He added that Israeli restrictions will not intimidate his team.

The Ministry for Diaspora Affairs did not reply to requests for comment from reporters. Earlier warnings from Israel's Foreign Ministry spoke of consequences for hostile moves by London. Shortly after the trade ban took effect, Israel barred 11 British lawmakers and a lawyer from entering its territory. It also ordered the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem and removed British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat. Training programs for Palestinian Authority forces run by Britain have ended as well.

The leaked letter claims various British groups are promoting boycotts, sanctions, and political measures against Israel. Accusations range from advocating talks with Hamas to demand an arms embargo. Some organizations face charges of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood or working with so-called terrorist entities. Save the Children is specifically accused of calling Israel's actions deliberate starvation and genocide.

A spokesperson for the charity explained that even before this letter, other NGOs struggle to get visas for workers needed in Gaza or the West Bank. Needs there have never been greater yet access remains blocked. Since the war in Gaza began, Israel has tightened rules on international aid groups. This includes measures affecting food shipments, medicine delivery, foreign volunteer doctors, and humanitarian staff trying to cross borders controlled by Israeli forces.

Medical Aid for Palestinians stated this letter fits into a wider pattern of restrictions placed on charities operating in the occupied Palestinian territory. The situation grows more urgent as needs swell while doors close tighter every day.

Two MAP individuals named in the letter have already received humanitarian medals from King Charles. The document paints Palestine Action as a radical network pushing for direct action aimed at harming the Israeli defence industry. This group has previously raided operations belonging to Elbit Systems. Huda Ammori, cofounder of Palestine Action, told Al Jazeera that this correspondence proves they were not banned due to terrorism concerns. She insisted their work always targeted the defence sector specifically. Meanwhile, UK Lawyers for Israel is urging authorities to label Doctors Without Borders a terrorist group. This request follows reports in The Telegraph about allegations linking MSF staff to Palestinian armed factions. These claims mirror accusations made by Israeli officials. MSF responded by calling these months of pressure a disinformation campaign. They stated that staff accused of having ties to terrorism were only reported after they died. Furthermore, the organization said Israel never shared evidence of military involvement before those deaths occurred.