Israel Withdraws from Open Government Partnership, Citing Politicization and Hostility
UPDATE (Jerusalem — 14:20 UTC)
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) acknowledged Israel’s decision to withdraw and confirmed that the move takes
immediate effect under the organization’s rules. In a brief response, the OGP said it “regrets Israel’s departure”
while reiterating its commitment to its principles and procedures. No timeline for further discussion or mediation
was announced.
Israeli officials said the decision is final and emphasized that Israel will not participate in any OGP forums,
reviews, or conferences going forward. The Foreign Ministry reiterated that Israel remains committed to
transparency and good governance, but will pursue those principles within frameworks it considers neutral and
non-politicized.
Israel announced on Wednesday that it is withdrawing with immediate effect from the Open Government Partnership
(OGP), an international initiative originally created to promote government transparency, accountability, and civic
participation.
The decision was taken by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar following an internal review
conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be implemented in coordination with Economy Minister
Nir Barkat, according to an official statement.
Founded in 2011 at the initiative of former U.S. President Barack Obama, the Open Government
Partnership was designed to encourage participating states to strengthen transparency, fight corruption, and expand
access to government data. Israel joined the organization in 2012 as part of broader efforts to modernize public
administration and engage in international cooperation.
Israeli officials now say that the organization’s original mission has been progressively undermined. According to
the Foreign Ministry, the OGP has in recent months evolved into a political platform used to advance initiatives
described as explicitly hostile to Israel, in contradiction with the principles of neutrality and good governance
that initially justified Israel’s participation.
Several developments were cited in support of the decision. In September 2025, Israel was
prevented from participating in an official OGP conference held in Spain after Spanish authorities announced they
would not allow any Israeli presence. Israeli officials described the exclusion as unprecedented and noted that
the OGP leadership did not issue any protest or response despite what Jerusalem characterized as a discriminatory
measure.
Another key factor was the decision by the OGP steering committee to initiate a review procedure targeting Israel
following a complaint submitted by a South African non-governmental organization. According to the Israeli
government, the complaint was based on allegations considered unfounded, excessive, and politically motivated,
illustrating what it views as the instrumentalization of the organization’s internal mechanisms for activist
purposes.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Sa’ar said the OGP had become “a fertile ground for anti-Israeli activism,” adding
that this situation “contradicts the principles of the Partnership and the very reasons that led Israel to join
it.” He concluded that Israel’s withdrawal puts an end to what he described as “a theater of the absurd.”
The withdrawal takes effect immediately and does not require a complex international procedure. Israel will cease
all participation in OGP forums, conferences, and review mechanisms. Israeli authorities emphasized, however, that
the country remains committed to the principles of transparency, the rule of law, and good governance, while
rejecting the use of those values as political tools against a member state.
The move comes amid broader Israeli criticism of what it describes as the increasing politicization of certain
multilateral organizations. Israeli officials argue that technical or normative forums are increasingly being used
to conduct campaigns of political delegitimization under institutional frameworks.
For Israel, the decision to leave the Open Government Partnership is intended as a clear diplomatic signal.
Officials said international cooperation can only function on the basis of fairness, neutrality, and mutual respect,
adding that Israel will continue to promote transparent governance within frameworks it considers legitimate and
non-instrumentalized.
Israel Pulls Out of Open Government Partnership After Politicization Row
Israel announced on Wednesday that it is withdrawing with immediate effect from the Open Government Partnership
(OGP), an international initiative originally created to promote government transparency, accountability, and civic
participation.
The decision was taken by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar following an internal review
conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be implemented in coordination with Economy Minister
Nir Barkat, according to an official statement.
Founded in 2011 at the initiative of former U.S. President Barack Obama, the Open Government
Partnership was designed to encourage participating states to strengthen transparency, fight corruption, and expand
access to government data. Israel joined the organization in 2012 as part of broader efforts to modernize public
administration and engage in international cooperation.
Israeli officials now say that the organization’s original mission has been progressively undermined. According to
the Foreign Ministry, the OGP has in recent months evolved into a political platform used to advance initiatives
described as explicitly hostile to Israel, in contradiction with the principles of neutrality and good governance
that initially justified Israel’s participation.
Several developments were cited in support of the decision. In September 2025, Israel was
prevented from participating in an official OGP conference held in Spain after Spanish authorities announced they
would not allow any Israeli presence. Israeli officials described the exclusion as unprecedented and noted that
the OGP leadership did not issue any protest or response despite what Jerusalem characterized as a discriminatory
measure.
Another key factor was the decision by the OGP steering committee to initiate a review procedure targeting Israel
following a complaint submitted by a South African non-governmental organization. According to the Israeli
government, the complaint was based on allegations considered unfounded, excessive, and politically motivated,
illustrating what it views as the instrumentalization of the organization’s internal mechanisms for activist
purposes.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Sa’ar said the OGP had become “a fertile ground for anti-Israeli activism,” adding
that this situation “contradicts the principles of the Partnership and the very reasons that led Israel to join
it.” He concluded that Israel’s withdrawal puts an end to what he described as “a theater of the absurd.”
The withdrawal takes effect immediately and does not require a complex international procedure. Israel will cease
all participation in OGP forums, conferences, and review mechanisms. Israeli authorities emphasized, however, that
the country remains committed to the principles of transparency, the rule of law, and good governance, while
rejecting the use of those values as political tools against a member state.
The move comes amid broader Israeli criticism of what it describes as the increasing politicization of certain
multilateral organizations. Israeli officials argue that technical or normative forums are increasingly being used
to conduct campaigns of political delegitimization under institutional frameworks.
For Israel, the decision to leave the Open Government Partnership is intended as a clear diplomatic signal.
Officials said international cooperation can only function on the basis of fairness, neutrality, and mutual respect,
adding that Israel will continue to promote transparent governance within frameworks it considers legitimate and
non-instrumentalized.