Vatican News
Israel confirmed on Thursday a ban on 37 humanitarian organizations operating in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank if they refuse to comply with new registration requirements imposed by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.
The measure has been criticized by a large part of the international community and has drawn a response from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
According to the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, NGOs that do not meet the requirements set by the authorities will have their permits revoked and will have to cease operations in the Gaza Strip by March 1, 2026.
The decision has been rejected by numerous international organizations, which warn that it could deepen the severe humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, where access to basic services – such as medical care, food, and water – remains insufficient.
The Israeli list includes, among others: Caritas Jerusalem, Médecins Sans Frontières, Norwegian Refugee Council, Care International, Oxfam, and ActionAid.
Response from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Following the non-renewal of Caritas Jerusalem’s permit, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement confirming the legal status of the institution.
“Caritas Jerusalem is a humanitarian and development organization operating under the auspices and management of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land,” the statement explained. “In Israel, Caritas Jerusalem holds the status of an ‘ecclesiastical legal person,’ whose mission and status have been recognized by the State of Israel under the 1993 Fundamental Agreement and the subsequent 1997 Agreement on Legal Personality, signed between the Holy See and the State of Israel.”
The statement also clarified: “Caritas Jerusalem has not initiated any new registration procedure with the Israeli authorities and will continue its humanitarian and development activities in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, in accordance with its mandate.”
Solidarity from Caritas Italy
The measures announced by the Israeli government surprised the leadership of Caritas Italy, which assures that its support for Caritas Jerusalem remains unwavering.
“Caritas Jerusalem – emphasized Silvia Sinibaldi in an interview with Vatican News – is a humanitarian organization operating under the direction of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land and functions based on a legal status resulting from agreements between the State of Israel and the Holy See, while Caritas Internationalis, which was also on the Israeli authorities’ list, does not conduct direct operations in the country. In short, there was no ongoing registration process, which is why this decision is absolutely surprising and unexpected.”
Crucial and indispensable actions
Caritas Jerusalem immediately confirmed its determination to continue its mission in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Silvia Sinibaldi described this move as: “a necessary clarification, which, however, does not eliminate the specific difficulties that characterize daily work on the ground – work that is always very precarious and unstable.”
“As the Caritas network, we stand by Caritas Jerusalem not only through support and daily prayer, but also through concrete actions in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,” she noted.
The deputy director emphasized that these are crucial and indispensable actions, especially in areas such as healthcare and psychosocial support.
Tangible support
Currently, Caritas Jerusalem is responding to numerous crisis situations affecting the inhabitants of the Holy Land during the difficult winter months – partly thanks to donations provided by the Caritas network.
Silvia Sinibaldi recalled, among other things, a project to assist families in the West Bank during the Christmas period: “The project provides economic, community, and environmental support for 250 families in these areas, while in the Gaza Strip, we support projects related to maternal and child health and mental health,” she said. She also highlighted the donation of Pope Francis’ former popemobile, which Caritas Jerusalem transformed into a mobile pediatric clinic.
“Supporting this initiative in a place where nothing else exists is like keeping a burning torch of hope,” she concluded.
