High Court rejects international aid groups’ petition against new security regulations

The High Court of Justice rules unanimously against a petition by an association of 19 international aid organizations against new security regulations imposed by the government, asserting that state agencies are entitled to require strict security checks to ensure foreign organizations are not involved in terrorism or connected to terror groups.

The petition was filed by the AIDA umbrella organization after an inter-ministerial working group under the authority of the Diaspora Affairs Ministry published the new regulations in 2025 for any aid groups operating in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, which 37 organizations refused to comply with, saying doing so would endanger their employees and violate international law.

The licenses of the organizations were subsequently revoked earlier this year.

“It is clear that the information requirement serves a clear security purpose,” writes Justice Gila Canfy-Steinitz, quoting a comment in a recent ruling by Supreme Court President Isaac Amit that terrorist organizations had sought to take control of humanitarian aid shipments during the war in Gaza.

“The existence of a security inspection mechanism is not only legitimate, but constitutes a critical necessity that serves the paramount interest of state security and the protection of human life,” writes Canfy-Steinitz.

The court also determines that security screening “falls within the core sovereign powers of the State,” and that self-assessments conducted by international aid organizations cannot replace independent state security reviews.

The court gives the organizations whose licenses were revoked 30 days to comply with the new security screening regulations

“The rejection of the petition sends a clear and unequivocal message — the State of Israel will not allow terrorist activity to operate under the guise of humanitarian aid,” says Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli.

AIDA’s legal representative, Yotam Ben-Hillel, criticizes the ruling and says it will harm the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“The HCJ [High Court of Justice] ruling is deeply disappointing, as it once again reflects the marginal status accorded to international law within the Israeli judicial system,” says Ben-Hillel.

AFP contributed to this report.