Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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118. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will take action at an Irish and European level in response to news that Israeli organisations supported by the EU or its Member States will be taxed 80% on their donations and be banned from instituting legal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11386/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The EU-Israel Association Council took place in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February. The Association Council provided an opportunity for full and frank engagement with Israel on issues of concern, on the wider EU-Israel relationship and for the delivery of key messages at a critical moment for Israel, Palestine and the region. The Association Council was chaired by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, and by Gideon Sa'ar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, in the presence of Dubravka Šuica, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and representatives of EU member states.

At the meeting of the Association Council, I and a number of my fellow Foreign Ministers raised with Israel the vital role of civil society and expressed concern about legislation that has the effect of undermining fundamental rights and freedoms, including the proposed NGO Taxation Bill.

The EU statement agreed for the meeting of the Association Council, covered a range of urgent and pressing issues, including EU concern with the risk of restrictions for foreign-funded NGOs, limiting civil society and its democratic participation and activity. In this regard, the EU called on Israel to adhere to its international human rights obligations to uphold freedom of association, assembly and expression, including by ensuring a safe, open and enabling civic space, both online and offline. The EU statement was clear that anti-terrorism or national security legislation must never be misused to undermine fundamental rights and freedoms.

The EU Delegation in Tel Aviv also raised this issue with the Israeli authorities on behalf of the European Union and a number of EU Member States, including Ireland, expressing deep concern about the Bill.

The protection of civil society space is among Ireland’s foreign policy priorities and a strong, independent and inclusive civil society is a key part of any democracy. Ireland provides political and financial support to civil society organisations working in the area of human rights, peacebuilding and accountability in both Israel and Palestine.