NGO visas restricted by Israeli government

Aid agencies and peace groups concerned about changes

by Symon Hill 4th February 2010

Aid agencies and peace groups have expressed concern about the future of international work in Palestine and Israel, following an Israeli government decision to restrict visas for workers from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).  Instead of providing NGO staff with working visas, the Israeli authorities now plan to issue many of them with tourist visas, which tend to have a duration of three months. If working in the occupied Palestinian territories, they will need to register with a unit that is subordinate to the Israeli Ministry of Defence.