Diaspora Ministry moves to ban entry of UK-based Amos Trust activists over Israel BDS push

NGO Monitor has also documented alleged links between Euro-Med leadership and Hamas, including claims that senior figures appeared on a list of Hamas operatives and institutions published in 2013.

At the instruction of Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, the ministry’s Director-General, Avi Cohen-Skali, recommended that the Population and Immigration Authority deny entry to activists representing Amos Trust.

This follows indications that the organization systematically promotes boycotts of the State of Israel in the economic, cultural and academic spheres, alongside its support for imposing sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel.

The ministry's investigation also found that the organization operates a public advocacy network and social media campaigns through which it promotes its positions and encourages activists to participate in pressure and boycott initiatives against Israel.

Amos Trust was founded in 1985 and describes itself as an organization working to promote justice for Palestinians, climate justice, and gender equality.

It often collaborates with well-known groups such as Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Palestine Platform, as well as the Palestinian-led BDS movement.

Euro-Med founder identified as Hamas operative

One of its more controversial partners is Gaza-based writing project 'We Are Not Numbers,' launched by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor in 2015. Euro-Med's founder and chairman, Ramy Abdu, has been identified by Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry as a Hamas operative, allegations he has disputed.

NGO Monitor has also documented alleged links between Euro-Med leadership and Hamas, including claims that senior figures appeared on an Israeli list of Hamas operatives and institutions published in 2013.

Separately, Le Monde reported in November 2023 that Ahmed Alnaouq, a co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, had a brother, Ayman, who was identified as a member of Hamas's military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades.

Among some of Amos Trust's more prominent campaigns are the 'Free Marwan Barghouti' and 'Stop Arming Israel' campaigns. It runs another campaign encouraging a cultural boycott of Israeli-linked cultural events.

It also runs a 'Visit Palestine' travel program which purportedly offers people the chance to "experience first-hand what life is like on the West Bank under Israeli occupation."

“Those who work to boycott Israel, isolate it and undermine its legitimacy cannot expect its doors to remain open to them," warned Chikli. "The State of Israel will not serve as a host country for activists systematically working against it." He promised that his ministry will continue to act against organizations promoting boycotts and the delegitimization of Israel.

Cohen-Skali noted that Israel is not obligated to permit entry to activists representing organizations that systematically promote boycotts and sanctions.