In the Israeli Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting, Member of Knesset Karine Elharrar reads from a letter written by Jon Allen, the former Canadian ambassador to Israel, which directly refutes MK Simcha Rothman’s claims that his proposed anti-NGO law is identical to a Canadian one. Allen is also a member of NIFC’s Advisory Council.
If passed, the proposed law would see an unprecedented and exorbitant tax on any donation from foreign governments to civil society organizations and would no longer require courts to consider petitions submitted by NGOs when the majority of their funding comes from foreign governments.
NIFC Executive Director Ben Murane:
“Former Ambassador Jon Allen’s letter strongly rebuts the cynical, misleading claims by proponents of this anti-NGO bill that anything similar can be found in Canadian law. Canada is a proud liberal democracy that enshrines in law the right of civil society organizations to operate and advocate freely – whereas this Israeli bill aims to do the opposite.
Israel’s allies – including Canada – are standing stalwartly with Israel and supporting Israeli nonpartisan NGOs holding up the rule of law, democratic principles, and a path to a two-state solution. This bill by the Israeli government targets those Canadian-Israeli shared values as enemy influence.
Canadian opposition to this bill has been clear for years: the previous Canadian government stated its objections, Canadian Jewish charities have spoken against it, and Canadian major philanthropist Charles Bronfman recently signed a letter of opposition, as did hundreds of Canadian Jews.”
Jon Allen’s Full letter:
November 16, 2025
Mr. Simcha Rotman, Chair
Members of the Knesset Constitutional Law and Justice Committee
Re: Associations Bill (Amendment—Donations from Foreign State Entity), 2024
Dear Mr. Rotman and Committee Members,
I am a former Canadian Ambassador to Israel (2006-2010), with an LLB from the University of Western Ontario and an LLM from the London School of Economics. I was called to the Bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1977.
As someone who cares deeply about Israel, I write to address claims that the proposed Israeli bill resembles Canadian legislation, specifically the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA). This comparison is fundamentally misleading and does a disservice both to Canada and to Israel’s interests.
THE CRITICAL DISTINCTIONS
Canadian law requires disclosure and registration of arrangements with foreign governments—it does not prohibit, restrict, or tax foreign funding. Moreover, FITAA applies only to activities targeting “political or governmental processes” such as lobbying and elections. Human rights organizations, relief agencies, and civil society groups are explicitly excluded from its scope.
The penalties under Canadian law relate solely to failure to register. There are no taxes imposed on foreign donations, no provisions for revoking charitable status, and no financial penalties based on funding sources.
The proposed Israeli bill operates on entirely different principles: it seeks to tax and financially penalize civil society organizations based on their funding sources, regardless of their activities.
THE DAMAGE TO ISRAEL’S FOREIGN RELATIONS AND JEWISH SOLIDARITY
The mischaracterizations of countries like Canada during committee discussions, combined with the bill itself, are causing real damage to Israel’s foreign relations and cooperation with democratic nations. This damage is already manifesting in measures taken against Israeli entities, including in Canada.
As more than 50 prominent Jewish philanthropists noted in their letter to the Foreign Minister earlier this year, this bill represents an attack on Jewish diaspora philanthropy—philanthropy that has been foundational to the growth of diverse Israeli organizations that would be harmed by this legislation. When legislators portray democratic countries and their support for Israeli civil society as hostile acts, they make cooperation with Israel increasingly difficult.
This bill poses a grave threat not only to Israeli democracy but to Israel’s relationship with world Jewry. By targeting organizations that receive support from foreign governmental sources the bill effectively criminalizes the historic partnership between Israel and the diaspora. It would sever ties with Jewish communities worldwide, treating Jewish solidarity as foreign interference and isolating Israel from the very communities most committed to its wellbeing and future.
Israel faces real security challenges. Support from democratic nations for Israeli civil society is a source of strength and friendship, not a threat. The bill is designed to silence dissent and weaken civil society by making it financially untenable for organizations to operate. This strikes at the heart of democratic governance and alienates Israel’s most loyal supporters abroad.
In summary: the Canadian legislation requires transparency for political lobbying. The Israeli bill seeks to financially strangle civil society organizations and criminalize the historic bonds between Israel and the Jewish people.
I urge you to reject this dangerous legislation.
Respectfully,
Jon Allen, LLB, LLM
Senior Fellow
Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History
University of Toronto
jon.allen@utoronto.ca