This past week, Israel displayed an incredible amount of kindness in its response to the tragedy in Haiti. It would have been so easy for the embattled state to ignore pleas from the other side of the world, but Israel set itself apart as a shining example of what one small country can do for another. This noble behavior provides proof positive for proponents of Israel’s humanitarian policies and combats those who argue that Israel is evil and self-serving.
Evidence of good behavior on Israel’s part cannot justify mistakes, however. Haaretz reports that Israel’s Interior Ministry will no longer be issuing work visas to employees of a vast array of international NGOs currently working in Palestinian territories; instead, “the ministry is now granting the NGO employees tourist visas only, which bar them from working.” Effectively, this action could cause many international organizations, including Save The Children and Doctors Without Borders, to cease operating in the controversial area of East Jerusalem.
Ignoring the obvious bias by the reporter, this action is alarming for a number of reasons. Foremost is the fact that NGOs looking to improve life in this area ought to be allowed to operate. Israel should be using international NGOs to meet humanitarian goals. Furthermore, as standards of living increase, enemies of Israel lose their ability to promote extremist agendas; without desperate circumstances, terrorist organizations have a harder time convincing people to commit atrocities. Thus, Israel has a vested interest in allowing humanitarian NGOs to operate everywhere within its borders.
Possibly more important is the impact that this action will have on Israel’s international image. The anti-Zionist movement will doubtlessly jump on this story as further evidence of Israel’s pigheadedness when it comes to the Palestinians. Regardless of the truth about Israel’s motivations (which are rather unclear as of yet), the Israeli government ought to limit the ammunition provided to opponents.
All of the people living within Israel’s borders deserve a certain quality of life. Aid NGOs form an essential part of the social fabric, particularly for the less-advantaged. Israel should encourage international investment in its citizens’ welfare, especially since so many groups are already woven into Israeli and Palestinian society.
The tragedy in Haiti gave Israel an opportunity to set the bar for what one group of strangers can do for another. It’s a shame that the government does not always act so thoughtfully within the borders that Israel controls.
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