Insider report alleges antisemitism is taking hold inside major global NGOs

A report based on testimony from more than 70 current and former employees has alleged that antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and a culture of intimidation have become embedded within some of the world’s biggest humanitarian and human rights organisations.

The 63-page report, Insiders Speak: NGO Antisemitism, Failed Accountability & Social Cohesion, was produced by advocacy organisation EiGHT and submitted to Australia’s Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, as well as several UN Special Rapporteurs. It draws on interviews with staff from organisations including Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Greenpeace, Human Rights Watch, Save the Children, UNICEF, Mercy Corps, Plan International and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

EiGHT says it is the first independent report to bring together testimony from current and former employees across multiple international NGOs, arguing that the accounts reveal systemic problems rather than isolated incidents. Most of those interviewed did not allow their names to be published, saying they feared professional repercussions or being blacklisted within the sector.

According to the report, Jewish and Israeli employees described facing hostility at work, being discouraged from raising concerns about Israel-related issues and, in some cases, suffering professional consequences after speaking out. It also claims complaints of antisemitism were frequently dismissed, treated as political disagreements or investigated less seriously than other forms of discrimination, while some Jewish professionals said they felt compelled to conceal their identity or leave the sector altogether.

Among the examples cited are allegations that an Amnesty International Australia staff member publicly referred to former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as “Legend!!”, that discussions on MSF’s international communications platform dismissed documented evidence of Hamas’ sexual violence during the 7 October attacks, and that responses to an internal Greenpeace staff survey questioned whether Jewish and Israeli employees should be employed.

Danielle Haas, EiGHT’s executive director, said the findings pointed to a much broader issue.

Speaking to Canada’s National Post, she said: “The tipping point was realising this wasn’t a series of isolated failures in a few organisations affecting a handful of employees. It was a systemic breakdown of values and principles within global organisations that shape democratic life – with public trust as the real casualty – and the situation was only getting worse.”

The report recommends independent reporting channels for staff, external reviews of workplace complaints, regular public reporting on antisemitism measures and stronger accountability across the NGO sector.

The findings were highlighted on Friday by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which said the report exposed “the rot inside some of the world’s most influential organisations.”

It added: “When NGOs tolerate antisemitism, glorify terrorists, and excuse atrocities, they become part of the problem, not the solution.”

The ministry concluded: “These NGOs don’t defend human rights – they betray them.”

Responding to the National Post, MSF said: “Any form of antisemitism, racism, discrimination, or bigotry by MSF staff is unacceptable and fundamentally incompatible with our humanitarian principles. MSF understands how dangerous antisemitism is, and we are committed to taking it seriously.”

Greenpeace said it takes “any allegation of discrimination, harassment, retaliation or other misconduct seriously” and has an organisation-wide integrity system for investigating concerns.

Jewish News has contacted Amnesty International for comment.