Docs With out Borders, identified by its French initials MSF, has stated it is not going to present Israeli authorities with the private particulars of its workers working in Gaza and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, citing issues for workers security and an absence of assurances over how the data can be used.
The choice on Friday follows criticism of MSF’s assertion final week that it was ready to share the names of its workers below strict situations – a place that sparked concern amongst support employees and rights advocates.
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The organisation has since stated it was unable to safe the ensures it sought from Israeli authorities and has now dominated out sharing any workers information “below the present circumstances”, citing dangers to its employees’ security.
Israel demanded final yr that a number of worldwide support organisations hand over detailed details about their workers, funding and operations as a part of what it described as new “safety and transparency requirements”.
The transfer has been extensively criticised by humanitarian teams, who say it dangers additional endangering support employees in a context the place Israel’s army has already killed greater than 1,700 well being employees for the reason that begin of its genocidal battle in opposition to Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023, together with at the very least 15 MSF staff.
Help teams’ security issues
On January 1, Israel withdrew the licences of 37 support organisations – together with MSF, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Worldwide Rescue Committee and Oxfam – saying that they had didn’t adjust to the brand new necessities.
Beneath rules issued by Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs, organisations are required to submit delicate data, together with passport copies, CVs and the names of members of the family, together with youngsters.
The principles additionally enable Israel to bar organisations it accuses of inciting racism, denying Israel’s existence or the Holocaust, or supporting what it calls “an armed wrestle by an enemy state or a terrorist organisation”.
MSF stated that after months of engagement with Israeli authorities, it concluded that it couldn’t safely adjust to the calls for.
It comes after MSF beforehand saying it was prepared to share an outlined record of Palestinian and worldwide workers names, topic to “clear parameters”, and solely with the categorical settlement of these involved.
The organisation stated this place had been outlined following session with Palestinian colleagues, with workers security because the central consideration.
Nonetheless, MSF stated it was unable to safe the concrete assurances it requested.
“These included that any workers data can be used just for its said administrative objective and wouldn’t put colleagues in danger; that MSF would retain full authority over all human useful resource issues and administration of medical humanitarian provides, and that every one communications defaming MSF and undermining workers security would stop,” the help group stated in a press release.
Humanitarian organisations concern that such information may very well be used to focus on support employees in Gaza, the occupied West Financial institution and East Jerusalem.
Israel has accused MSF – with out offering proof – of using individuals who fought with Palestinian armed teams, a part of a broader marketing campaign. Israeli officers have additionally alleged, with out proof, that United Nations businesses and different humanitarian teams are linked to Hamas.
Help organisations say such accusations have helped normalise assaults on humanitarian employees and undermine life-saving operations. In response to the Worldwide Rescue Committee, Palestinians make up almost one-fifth of all support employees killed globally since data started.
‘Devastating impression’
MSF operates medical companies throughout Gaza and the occupied West Financial institution, offering emergency and important care. The organisation warned that expelling MSF from Gaza and the West Financial institution would have a “devastating impression” as Palestinians face winter situations amid widespread destruction and pressing humanitarian wants.
Humanitarian situations in Gaza stay dire, MSF stated, with almost 500 folks killed since October, fundamental companies largely destroyed and the well being system “almost non-functional”, with specialised care, equivalent to burn therapy, unavailable.
In 2025, MSF stated it supplied 800,000 consultations, assisted one in three births and supported one in 5 hospital beds.
“MSF stays open to ongoing dialogue with Israeli authorities to keep up our crucial medical operations in Gaza and the West Financial institution,” the organisation stated, “and to make sure that MSF can proceed delivering important, lifesaving medical care to these in determined want”.
