Guinness World Records Shocks With Bold Anti-Israel Stance

Guinness World Records (GWR) has reportedly halted the acceptance and processing of new record submissions from Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The incident originated with Matnat Chaim, an Israeli charity that facilitates kidney donations from living donors to those in need. The organization planned a historic event in Jerusalem to assemble approximately 2,000 living kidney donors for a group photo, aiming to set a record such as the "largest gathering of living kidney donors." Israel boasts one of the highest rates of altruistic kidney donations per capita globally, with around 30 donations per million people annually, far surpassing regional averages.

When Matnat Chaim approached GWR for certification, they were informed that the organization is no longer reviewing applications from the region. According to reports from Channel 12 and The Times of Israel, this policy applies to both Israel and the Palestinian territories, ostensibly due to challenges in verification or safety concerns for adjudicators amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and broader regional instability.

GWR has not issued an official public statement detailing the rationale, leading to accusations of political bias or discrimination from supporters of Israel.

Critics argue that the suspension undermines GWR's mission to celebrate human achievement universally, especially for a cause as apolitical as organ donation. Matnat Chaim's efforts have saved thousands of lives, with many donors being Jewish Israelis, though the organization operates without religious restrictions. Social media posts amplifying the story, including from open-source intelligence accounts, have labeled the decision "disgraceful," emphasizing its impact on highlighting lifesaving initiatives.

GWR has yet to respond formally to the backlash, leaving the duration of the suspension unclear.