MEDICAL Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is facing greater difficulties in delivering much-needed support in Gaza following a recent rule change by the Israeli authorities.
Organisers for MAP said they have made the tough decision not to reapply for registration in Israel after the country’s authorities introduced new rules in March that require all aid organisations to do so by the end of the year.
The British charity, which operates in Gaza and helps to supply much-needed medical supplies to hospitals, said it made the decision not to re-register due to safety concerns.
In a statement on Tuesday, MAP said the registration process imposes “vague and politicised conditions” that undermine humanitarian principles and the independence of non-profit groups.
It added that the new rules also require that organisations hand over sensitive personal data about their Palestinian staff, along with their families, to Israel, which MAP says will effectively give the Israeli authorities control over who they can, and cannot, employ.
“Protecting our staff and their families is our top priority, and we will never take decisions that put them at greater risk,” the statement from MAP said.
“We will also not allow our independence or humanitarian principles to be compromised.
“So, after careful consultation with our colleagues in Palestine and with partner organisations, we have decided, for now, that we will not put an application for re-registration under these rules.”
It added: “We did not make this decision lightly. We continue to keep this position under review and will reassess if the registration requirements change.”
It went on to explain that without registration, the Israeli authorities could restrict the charity's ability to bring in non-Palestinian staff and volunteers, like their Emergency Medical Teams, and import goods, including aid, directly.
However, MAP’s “locally-led model” means that, through existing teams in Palestine, and partnerships with local groups, medical facilities and donors, the organisation will be able to continue delivering aid to Gaza and the West Bank.
MAP will continue to be a registered humanitarian organisation in Gaza and the West Bank, through the Palestinian Authority.
The charity said that Israel’s re-registration process breaches International Humanitarian Law and that they have joined more than 100 other organisations to “raise the alarm” that the requirement is a “weaponisation” of aid.
It added that the policy change is designed to “elicit control over independent organisations, silence advocacy, and censor humanitarian reporting”.
MAP is also calling on the UK Government and the international community to cease being allies with Israel and instead demand a permanent ceasefire and allow aid to flow freely into Gaza.
“During these challenging times, we also ask that you continue to trust us to work for the dignity, health and justice for all Palestinian people,” the statement said.
It added: “Together, we can build a future where every Palestinian has access to a comprehensive, effective and locally led healthcare system, and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity.”
