Israel’s National Skin Bank and Controversy Over Organ Sourcing

Israel’s National Skin Bank and Controversy Over Organ Sourcing

The Israel National Skin Bank (INSB) was established in 1986 jointly by the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps and the Ministry of Health. Its primary purpose is to store human skin for medical use in the treatment of burn victims during mass casualty incidents or wartime emergencies. The bank has grown to become the largest in the world relative to the country’s population.

The large size of the INSB, especially given Israel’s historically low organ donation rates, has led to controversy and allegations regarding the sourcing of skin and organs. A former head of the skin bank admitted on television in 2014 that bodies had been used without family consent. Israeli authorities stated in a state inquiry that there was no evidence of targeting Palestinians specifically, but that bodies in morgues could be considered for organ harvesting.

In 2010, the Israeli government confirmed that the practice of harvesting organs without permission had stopped and clarified legal guidelines for obtaining human tissue. Human rights groups and media outlets continue to raise concerns and call for further investigation into the handling of bodies, including Palestinian individuals, though these claims remain disputed. Some organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, have labeled these recent allegations as unfounded and linked to antisemitic narratives.