The targeted organization, Addameer, a Ramallah-based legal NGO founded in 1991, is widely known for providing legal representation to Palestinian political prisoners and detainees held in Israeli custody. According to U.S. authorities, Addameer maintains “long-standing affiliation” with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a secular Marxist faction classified as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Israel.

While Addameer did not issue an immediate response, the move has triggered renewed debate over the politicization of humanitarian work in conflict zones. The U.S. accuses the organization of supporting the military wings of Palestinian groups, including Hamas, under the veil of aid and advocacy.

A History of Tensions

Addameer has long been a point of contention between Israel and international human rights organizations. In 2022, Israeli forces raided its offices, claiming the NGO funneled funds to terror networks. The United Nations strongly criticized the raid, stating that Israel failed to provide “credible evidence” and emphasized that Addameer was engaged in “critical humanitarian, legal, and development work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”

The NGO collaborates with major rights watchdogs including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and is a member of the World Organization Against Torture. Despite these affiliations, the Israeli government maintains that the group exploits its legal platform to support extremist agendas.

Advocacy and Accusations

The recent sanctions follow a formal request submitted in February by the Zachor Legal Institute, an Israeli-American group that claims to combat antisemitism and terrorism. The letter, signed by 44 additional organizations, urged the U.S. Treasury to act against Addameer. Zachor’s president, Marc Greendorfer, welcomed the decision, stating: “We are very pleased to see the Treasury following up on our request… Foreign actors spreading hate and violence must be stopped.”

The Treasury’s action reportedly relied in part on undisclosed intelligence provided by the Israeli Security Agency. Critics argue that such evidence remains unverifiable and shrouded in secrecy, casting doubt on the transparency of the designation process.

Human Rights in the Crossfire

Addameer’s work has drawn international attention for its legal defense of Palestinian detainees, including Salah Hammouri, a French-Palestinian human rights lawyer who was arrested by Israel in 2022. That incident was referenced in the U.S. State Department’s human rights report under a section titled “Retaliation Against Human Rights Defenders.”

As the conflict in Gaza intensifies and humanitarian needs escalate, the Treasury’s crackdown is likely to fuel further criticism from civil society groups who argue that legitimate humanitarian aid risks being criminalized.

With geopolitical tensions at a boiling point and humanitarian efforts under increasing scrutiny, the latest U.S. sanctions underscore the fragile intersection between aid, activism, and national security policy in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

Moore succeeds Jake Wood, who resigned last week, while the Boston Consulting Group has officially withdrawn from the project, marking a period of transition for GHF.

With a background serving as a liaison between evangelical Christian communities and former U.S. President Donald Trump, Moore also serves as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Known for his outspoken stance on religious tolerance, Moore regularly engages with Middle Eastern leaders, positioning him as a key figure in interfaith dialogue.

In his first public statement as executive chairman, Moore emphasized the foundation’s core mission, “GHF believes that serving the people of Gaza with dignity and compassion must be the top priority.”

He urged caution against “sharing unverified information from sources that have repeatedly issued demonstrably false reports,” addressing ongoing daily claims of lethal violence at GHF sites — allegations the organization firmly denies. “False reporting of violence at our sites has a chilling effect on the local population and we can think of no greater disservice to a community in dire need.”

Shortly before the appointment was made public, Moore revealed via his social media platform X that he had “several really encouraging meetings with the [Red Cross] in recent weeks.”

While the Red Cross has not formally agreed to join the GHF initiative, Moore expressed confidence in their working relationship, stating, “We don’t always see eye-to-eye, but we have always found ways to collaborate meaningfully together. We trust one another.”

Moore’s leadership arrives at a critical moment as GHF continues to navigate operational challenges amid complex geopolitical tensions in the region.