Oxfam has said it will not disclose personal information about its Palestinian employees to Israel, citing concerns over staff safety, humanitarian principles, and the growing death toll among aid workers in Gaza.
The charity’s stance comes amid tighter restrictions imposed by Israel on non-governmental organisations operating in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.
Israel Tightens Controls on Aid Groups
As part of new measures introduced last year, Israeli authorities demanded that international and local aid organisations provide detailed information about both Palestinian and foreign staff, as well as their funding sources and operations.
On January 1, Israel revoked the licences of 37 humanitarian organisations, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee, and Oxfam, citing non-compliance with revised “security and transparency” requirements.
Israel has said 23 organisations have agreed to the new rules, while others have either refused or are still considering their response.
Oxfam Cites Safety and Humanitarian Principles
Oxfam said it would not hand over sensitive personal data related to its Palestinian staff, warning that doing so could place lives at risk.
“We will not transfer sensitive personal data to a party to the conflict,” an Oxfam spokesperson told Al Jazeera, adding that such a move would breach humanitarian principles, duty of care, and data protection obligations.
The spokesperson noted that more than 500 humanitarian workers have been killed since October 7, 2023, underscoring the dangers faced by aid staff in Gaza.
Oxfam also called on Israel to reverse its decision to deregister aid groups and urged donor governments to exert pressure to ensure humanitarian assistance is not obstructed.
Concerns Over Scope of Data Requests
Under guidelines issued by Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs, organisations are required to submit passport copies, resumes, and details of staff family members, including children.
Israel has said it would reject organisations suspected of inciting racism, denying Israel’s existence or the Holocaust, or supporting what it describes as armed struggle against the state.
Critics argue the requirements go far beyond reasonable oversight and expose local staff to serious risk.
Palestinian NGOs Warn of ‘Direct Threat’
The Palestinian NGOs Network condemned organisations that have complied with Israel’s demands, warning that the policy violates international humanitarian law.
The group said sharing staff data posed a “direct threat” to the safety and security of Palestinian aid workers, particularly amid ongoing Israeli military operations.
Divisions Among Aid Organisations
On Saturday, Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said it was prepared to provide a limited list of Palestinian and international staff names to Israel under strict conditions prioritising staff safety. However, MSF acknowledged the demands were “unreasonable”.
The decision sparked criticism from doctors, activists and humanitarian workers, who warned that sharing such information could endanger Palestinians, given repeated attacks on aid workers in Gaza.
A former MSF employee, speaking anonymously, described the decision as deeply troubling, saying humanitarian organisations face impossible choices between compliance and expulsion.
Aid Workers Face Mounting Risks
According to the International Rescue Committee, Palestinians account for nearly one-fifth of all aid workers killed globally since records began, highlighting the disproportionate risks faced by local staff.
As restrictions tighten and humanitarian access shrinks, aid groups warn that the consequences will be borne not only by organisations, but by civilians in desperate need of assistance.