A controversial new bill aimed at taxing foreign donations to left-wing NGOs in Israel will not apply to chareidi organizations, according to a report broadcast Sunday evening on Channel 13.
The legislation, dubbed the “NGO Law,” seeks to impose an 80% tax on donations from abroad received by organizations deemed to be involved in political advocacy—particularly those promoting left-wing agendas. When the bill was first introduced, it sparked concern among chareidi parties, who feared that it could severely impact the many Torah, welfare, and charitable organizations in the chareidi sector that rely heavily on overseas contributions.
However, according to journalist Yoeli Brim, those fears have now been allayed following behind-the-scenes negotiations between the chareidi factions, the Likud party, and MK Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Knesset Constitution Committee. As part of the agreements reached, chareidi organizations will be officially categorized under non-political designations such as “education,” “welfare,” “healthcare,” and “Holocaust remembrance.” These classifications will exempt them from the steep tax outlined in the bill.
On the other hand, the law will target groups labeled as “political,” including women’s rights organizations and advocacy groups focused on democracy and freedom of information, which will still face the 80% tax on donations from foreign entities.
Just two months ago, news of the proposed legislation caused widespread alarm among chareidi lawmakers and activists. The concern was that it would drastically reduce the viability of organizations that fund shiurim, support avreichim, preserve batei knesses, and provide charitable aid—all efforts that depend significantly on financial backing from Jewish communities around the world.
