Israel Freezes Decision to Ban 37 Relief Organizations in Gaza and the West Bank

In a surprising move, the Israeli Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction yesterday, Friday, February 27, 2026, freezing the government's decision to ban 37 foreign non-governmental organizations operating in the occupied Gaza and West Bank.

The decision includes prominent organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam, which confirmed that their activities are purely humanitarian.

The court stated in response to the petition submitted by these organizations: "Without taking any position on the merits of the case, a temporary injunction is issued."

This freeze is pending the final ruling in the case, granting the affected organizations the opportunity to continue their humanitarian work amid the deteriorating conditions in Gaza.

The Israeli government had revoked the legal status of these organizations, relying on political accusations related to their positions and criticisms of Israeli policies in the Palestinian territories, based on legal amendments enacted in recent years that grant the state broader powers to revoke permits for foreign organizations if they are deemed "acting against the interests of the state" or supporting legal or political campaigns against it.

Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam clarified that their activities focus on emergency medical care, psychological support, food and water distribution, and improving sanitation, especially with the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Israeli Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority and is responsible for reviewing government decisions, often issuing temporary injunctions in constitutional cases or those affecting fundamental rights until a final decision is made.