Full Breakdown
Israeli 2013 Spreadsheet Shows Government Monitoring of Global NGOs
7/21/2026, 10:38:02 PM
Core Event: Government File Lists Over 150 Charities
A spreadsheet accessed from Israel’s former Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Social Services reveals that in 2013 the Israeli government compiled basic contact details for more than 150 charities and added commentary on 15 of them. Comments labeled organizations as “critic of Israel,” “involved in anti-Israel campaigning,” or “highly involved in BDS.” The file singled out well-known groups such as France-based Premiere Urgence Internationale, Geneva-based Defence for Children International, Spain’s Mundubat, and the United Kingdom-based Oxfam.
Background & Context: BDS Pressure and Legislative Action
The spreadsheet was created in October 2013, a period when the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement was gaining international visibility. That year saw high-profile actions such as Stephen Hawking’s refusal to attend a conference in Israel and academic boycotts by student bodies. Analysts note the timing coincides with Israel’s later 2017 law that bars entry to individuals or entities supporting BDS, suggesting the data-gathering may have been preparatory.
Scope of the Document: NGOs Cited
Beyond the three examples above, the file listed charities from several countries, including Spain’s ACSUR-Las Segovias, Denmark’s DanChurchAid, Sweden’s Diakonia/NAD, Norway’s Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, the Medical Aid for Palestinians (UK), Germany’s Medico International, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Sweden’s Palestine Solidarity Association, Belgium’s Solidarite Socialiste, Italy’s Vento di Terra Onlus, and World Vision International (UK). Medico International’s director Tsafrir Cohen was noted for authoring a 2012 report on European involvement in Israeli settlements; the organization denied any sanction-calling, describing the report as “rather tame.”
Official Statements & Criticism
- Mayssoun Sukarieh, senior lecturer at King’s College London, described NGO Monitor as a “right-wing” organization that monitors pro-Palestine groups, and suggested the spreadsheet reflects early stages of Israel’s broader BDS-countering strategy.
- Giovanni Fassina, director of the European Legal Support Center, said the list was compiled amid a “hype” of Israeli legislation targeting boycott activities, noting that Israel has long used “blacklisting” tactics.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Israel was starting to feel the bite of BDS, and the ministry wanted to cross-reference different aspects of these organisations,” — Mayssoun Sukarieh, at King’s College London
- “The report did not even call for sanctions,” — Medico’s Riad Othman
