#Israel

Many of the issues affecting the work of human rights defenders in Israel are linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. A number of non governmental organisations exist in Israel which monitor the situation of Palestinians in the OPT and encourage religious pluralism and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.

The situation has deteriorated in the last four years and more particularly in the years 2010 and 2011, following operation “Cast Lead” in Gaza in 2008/2009. Issues of particular concern include the continuing use of administrative detention of HRDs that denounce the occupation, the settlements and the construction of the wall; increased restrictions on the movement of Palestinian HRDs in the form of travel bans and visa restrictions for international NGO humanitarian workers; hostility towards NGOs that carry out human rights work; the adoption of legislation restricting the space for civil society; curtailment of freedom of association, expression and assembly.