Israel recommends entry bans for UK charity staff after West Bank trade sanctions

September 17, 2026 at 03:19 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry recommended barring employees of Oxfam, Save the Children, and other UK-linked groups from entering Israel. The September 8 letter followed Britain's ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. British charities and advocacy groups condemned the move as intimidation.

Key Facts

Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism issued the letter on September 8, the same day the UK banned imports from illegal Israeli settlements.
The letter recommends barring employees and activists from Oxfam, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Save the Children, Medical Aid for Palestinians, and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Israel previously barred 11 British MPs and a lawyer from entering the country and ordered the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem.
Ismail Patel, founder of Friends of Al-Aqsa, said the proposed ban shows the BDS campaign is working and that Israeli restrictions will not intimidate the group.

The Letter

The document, seen by Al Jazeera, was issued by Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. It recommends border authorities bar employees and activists associated with aid organisations including Oxfam, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Save the Children, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Norwegian Refugee Council, which receives UK funding. The letter also targets campaign groups including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Friends of Al-Aqsa. Ismail Patel, founder of Friends of Al-Aqsa, is accused of joining anti-Israel demonstrations in London and making harsh statements against Israel.

UK Response

British charities, Palestinian advocacy organisations and the proscribed Palestine Action group condemned the letter. Patel told Al Jazeera that the planned ban clearly shows BDS is working and impacting Israel. He added that Israeli restrictions will not intimidate the group. Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry did not respond to Al Jazeera's request for comment.

Escalating Measures

Shortly after the trade ban was announced, Israel barred 11 British MPs and a lawyer from entering the country. Israel also ordered the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem and announced the removal of British representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat. It has ended British training of Palestinian Authority forces in the occupied West Bank. The leaked letter states that attention should be directed to the ongoing and subversive activities of various British organisations promoting boycotts and sanctions against Israel.