Israel proposes law to tax NGOs criticising its treatment of Palestinians

An Israeli government committee approved a draft law on Sunday that will impose an additional 45 per cent tax on the external donations of those Israeli NGOs that criticise Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

According to media reports, the extreme right wing political allies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed the bill.

The draft law reportedly targets NGOs that support boycotting Israeli institutions, imposing sanctions on Israel and prosecuting Israeli soldiers before international tribunals.

According to the terms of the draft law, external donations to NGOs of this kind are considered to be outside interference in the internal affairs of Israel and thus constitute a violation of Israeli sovereignty.

In response, opponents of the new draft law pointed out that it violates the freedom of expression in Israel. The opposition recommended for the committee not to approve it.

However the committee voted to approve the draft, with eight in favour and four opposed.

Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni stated that she is going to appeal the committee’s decision. This step might stop the supporters of the law from putting it for a vote in the Knesset.

Livni described the draft law as “dangerous legislation”. She wrote on her Facebook page that: “It will isolate Israeli and make it more difficult for Israel’s allies to stand beside it.”