International criticism of Guinness World Records over its refusal to accept submissions from Israel or the Palestinian territories continued on Wednesday, with the London-based organization facing mounting pressure to reverse its decision.
The organization acknowledged the ban after a Jerusalem-based NGO, which facilitates altruistic kidney donations and had hoped to be profiled, went public with the news.
“It is deeply troubling that Guinness World Record is refusing submissions from Israel and the Palestinian territories,” the New York-based Anti-Defamation League wrote on X, denouncing the “double standard” in correspondence with the group’s leadership and parent company. “We believe a quick course correction is warranted.”
The Jerusalem-based Matnat Chaim NGO, whose name means “Gift of Life” in Hebrew, said Wednesday that it had contacted Guinness World Records regarding an event it is planning next month, which will bring together 2,000 Israeli kidney donors in the hope of having the gathering entered into the Guinness Book of World Records.
However, the British organization informed the Israeli group two months ago that it was no longer accepting submissions from Israel or the Palestinian territories, the nonprofit said.
The charity made a second appeal to Guinness after the ceasefire with Hamas took effect in October but has not received a response, a spokesman said Wednesday.
“We are aware of just how sensitive this is at the moment,” Guinness World Records posted on X, even as it did not respond to requests for comment. “We truly do believe in record breaking for everyone, everywhere but unfortunately in the current climate we are not processing applications from the Palestinian Territories or Israel.”
Guinness noted that the policy, in place since November 2023, is subject to monthly review.
“We hope to be in a position to receive new inquiries soon,” the organization added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Wednesday condemned the policy, calling it “inexcusable” and adding that “we expect and demand that this twisted decision be revoked immediately.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee blasted the decision as “outrageous insanity.”
“Did the people at Guinness World Record drink a full vat of the Guinness beer? How can people be so filled with hate and bigotry?” he asked on X.
