Israeli liberals cry foul over funding disclosure bill

[webfact]

Israeli liberals cry foul over funding disclosure bill
By JOSEF FEDERMAN

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Cabinet ministers gave preliminary approval Sunday to a bill that imposes new disclosure requirements on nonprofit groups that receive foreign funding — drawing accusations the government was trying to crack down on government critics, rattling relations with Europe and deepening an increasingly toxic divide between liberal and hawkish Israelis.

Critics said the regulations are meant to stifle dovish organizations critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government policies toward the Palestinians, since such nonprofits tend to rely heavily on donations from European countries.

In contrast, pro-government and nationalistic nonprofit groups tend to rely on wealthy private donors, who are exempt from the measures under the bill. The legislature is expected to approve the bill as early as this week.

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog quickly blasted the bill as a "muzzling law" that would bring about "thought police."

The bill, proposed by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and approved by a committee of ministers, also dealt a new setback to already strained relations with the European Union, which funds a variety of nonprofit groups. Israeli leaders have been outraged over the EU's recent decision to require labels on imported products made in West Bank settlements.

"I expect the European Union to respect the democratic decisions of Israel," said Shaked, who has said the bill is merely meant to ensure transparency.

The bill requires organizations that receive more than half of their funds from a foreign government or entity to declare their sources of funding in reports and parliamentary discussions. Their activists also will be required to wear special tags when working in Israel's parliament.

All nonprofit groups are already required to file quarterly disclosure reports, regardless of their political leanings.

Amir Fuchs of the Israel Democracy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, said the additional measures are "likely to damage the functioning of civil society organizations, which provide many beneficial social service, educational, environmental and women's rights activities."

With Israel mired in a wave of near-daily violence with the Palestinians, hard-line lawmakers and activist groups have been stepping up the pressure on dovish opponents. Earlier this month, a nationalistic activist group called Im Tirtzu launched a fierce video campaign that accused human rights groups of being spies and foreign agents.

Such sentiments have tested Israel's democratic ideals at a time when the government is facing public anger over the continuing violence and growing international criticism of its policies toward the Palestinians. This sense of isolation is fueling what some say is a siege mentality that perceives opposition activists as the enemy.

Israel's Army Radio said Sunday that it had obtained an internal European Union document quoting the EU ambassador as telling Shaked that her bill would undermine Israel's image as a democratic and pluralistic country. The ambassador was reported as saying the bill is better suited for despotic regimes since it aims to discriminate against government critics. The EU's local office declined to comment on the report.

Groups affected by the bill said they were being unfairly singled out and noted that hard-line groups, including Im Tirtzu and organizations that support Jewish settlers in the West Bank, are exempt.

"If the minister of justice is truly interested in transparency, she must first and foremost promote legislation requiring right-wing organizations to expose the millions they receive from private donors abroad and from the state budget," said Peace Now, a group that opposes Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians.

Adalah, a group that promotes the rights of Israel's Arab minority, said the plan to make groups wear special tags "is an act of humiliation and incitement." The New Israel Fund, another group that supports liberal Israeli causes, said the bill would expand the "open season" on human rights activists.

Proponents of the bill say that foreign governments have standard diplomatic channels at their disposal through which they can push their agendas, and that funding nonprofit groups amounts to meddling in Israeli affairs.

Matan Peleg, director of Im Tirtzu, said European organizations "give small organizations in Israel super power."

"Why do you try to change us from within? Leave us alone," Peleg said.

A main target of the bill appeared to be Breaking the Silence, a group of former Israeli combat soldiers who criticize Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank.

The soldiers say they have come forward with their war stories to shine a light on problems either unknown or ignored by the public. But many Israeli leaders have portrayed them as traitors, in part because their reports and lectures are often aimed at foreign audiences.

"Instead of dealing with the violence of the radical right, they are putting up a smoke screen by picking on human rights groups in Israel," said Avihai Stollar, a spokesman for Breaking the Silence.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-12-28

[Seastallion]

"Proponents of the bill say that foreign governments have standard diplomatic channels at their disposal through which they can push their agendas, and that funding nonprofit groups amounts to meddling in Israeli affairs.

Matan Peleg, director of Im Tirtzu, said European organizations "give small organizations in Israel super power."

"Why do you try to change us from within? Leave us alone," Peleg said."

Hopefully, you'll get your wish and all countries will leave Israel alone until it can behave like a decent member of the global society.

Until then, Israel should be shunned.

[ezzra]

"Proponents of the bill say that foreign governments have standard diplomatic channels at their disposal through which they can push their agendas, and that funding nonprofit groups amounts to meddling in Israeli affairs.

Matan Peleg, director of Im Tirtzu, said European organizations "give small organizations in Israel super power."

"Why do you try to change us from within? Leave us alone," Peleg said."

Hopefully, you'll get your wish and all countries will leave Israel alone until it can behave like a decent member of the global society.

Until then, Israel should be shunned.

This article illustrate more than ever and anything that Israel is a fully pledged, alive and kicking democracy, whereby

Jews and Israelis are allowed to criticize and demonize the army and the government with impunity and

the safety of European funding,, those groups acting in brad daylight as a fifth columns hated by many of their

brothers and sisters in Israel, yet, they're allowed to operate, disturb the army with it's daily dealing with

the Palestinians, bring in foreign journalist to write derogatory, one sided lies of Israel ' cruelty' to the Palestinians

population etc. etc.,

I dare anyone to name one Arab/Muslim country in the world of 22+ countries and over 1.6 billion Muslims

that would allow such activist group to exist, much less to operate, like Israel dose....

[nidieunimaitre]

QUOTE:

Their activists also will be required to wear special tags when working in Israel's parliament.

That sounds familiar.

The extreme right has no shame!

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been removed.

[Seastallion]

"Proponents of the bill say that foreign governments have standard diplomatic channels at their disposal through which they can push their agendas, and that funding nonprofit groups amounts to meddling in Israeli affairs.

Matan Peleg, director of Im Tirtzu, said European organizations "give small organizations in Israel super power."

"Why do you try to change us from within? Leave us alone," Peleg said."

Hopefully, you'll get your wish and all countries will leave Israel alone until it can behave like a decent member of the global society.

Until then, Israel should be shunned.

This article illustrate more than ever and anything that Israel is a fully pledged, alive and kicking democracy, whereby

Jews and Israelis are allowed to criticize and demonize the army and the government with impunity and

the safety of European funding,, those groups acting in brad daylight as a fifth columns hated by many of their

brothers and sisters in Israel, yet, they're allowed to operate, disturb the army with it's daily dealing with

the Palestinians, bring in foreign journalist to write derogatory, one sided lies of Israel ' cruelty' to the Palestinians

population etc. etc.,

I dare anyone to name one Arab/Muslim country in the world of 22+ countries and over 1.6 billion Muslims

that would allow such activist group to exist, much less to operate, like Israel dose....

You may have missed the point of the OP.....those organisations that are critical have conditions placed upon them designed to make life more difficult, whilst the right wing organisations who do not criticise do not have the same barriers. It's not quite as democratic and fair as you want to make out.

What's the diversion about Muslim countries for?

[TerrylSky]

Too many Israelis (not all of course) fail to forget the inhumane treatment, the tattoos, the discriminations of the past, not to mention the Palestinians "right to exist". Seems like it was Palestine before the Israelis invaded. Anyway, their double standards and hypocrisies are something to share with the world.

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been removed. Please don't post the endless array of maps. They have been posted numerous times.

Stay on the topic of the OP.

[thaibeachlovers]

Keep it up Israeli right wingers, the day when you are ostracised by Europe for your policies comes nearer with every similar law you pass.

[Jingthing]

I think this is an internal matter for Israelis to decide using their fine democratic institutions. Liberals are a minority in Israel so naturally they are going to lose some things.

[DeaconJohn]

I think this is an internal matter for Israelis to decide using their fine democratic institutions. Liberals are a minority in Israel so naturally they are going to lose some things.

As long as it's not their humanity and honesty then it will be things that they can afford to lose.

[Jingthing]

I think this is an internal matter for Israelis to decide using their fine democratic institutions. Liberals are a minority in Israel so naturally they are going to lose some things.

As long as it's not their humanity and honesty then it will be things that they can afford to lose.

Rather a drama queen level of describing an internal political matter in a small democratic country. It's funny that so many people are so obsessed with Israel so completely OUT OF PROPORTION to what's going on in the rest of the world. Not funny in the ha ha sense though.

[Scott]

An inflammatory post has been removed.

[dexterm]

I think this is an internal matter for Israelis to decide using their fine democratic institutions. Liberals are a minority in Israel so naturally they are going to lose some things.

As long as it's not their humanity and honesty then it will be things that they can afford to lose.

Rather a drama queen level of describing an internal political matter in a small democratic country. It's funny that so many people are so obsessed with Israel so completely OUT OF PROPORTION to what's going on in the rest of the world. Not funny in the ha ha sense though.

Critics pay so much attention to Israel because it is savable. It's population are mainly European and American immigrants many of whom brought their liberal values with them. Some have lost those values along the way with their brutal ethnic cleansing and occupation of the indigenous Palestinians.

I would love Israel to join the family of modern civilized democracies.

The bill proposed in the OP is clearly an underhand undemocratic attempt to suppress freedom of speech.

[Rancid]

Most governments are trying to enact fascist laws, helps keep them in power and hide the corruption. Israel is no different to the West in this regard, and their current regime could hardly be accused of being too liberal.

[Steely Dan]

The behavior of NGO's within Israel is as biased, dishonest and agenda driven as UNRWA or the left wing press. It is a matter of record that EU taxpayers money has gone to groups supporting and inciting violence, it is high time their activities were curtailed or a at least scrutinized.

Here is a link detailing the long list of incitement and antisemitism coming from within UNRWA, so this problem goes as high up as UN agencies. Amnesty international are just as bad, it is a matter of easily verifiable fact. The lesser known agencies are just the same, hence long overdue government action.

http://israelbehindthenews.com/report-despite-unrwa-promises-teachers-again-inciting-to-violence-against-jewish-apes-and-pigs/14091/

Edited December 29, 2015 by Steely Dan

[dexterm]

The behavior of NGO's within Israel is as biased, dishonest and agenda driven as UNRWA or the left wing press. It is a matter of record that EU taxpayers money has gone to groups supporting and inciting violence, it is high time their activities were curtailed or a at least scrutinized.

Here is a link detailing the long list of incitement and antisemitism coming from within UNRWA, so this problem goes as high up as UN agencies. Amnesty international are just as bad, it is a matter of easily verifiable fact. The lesser known agencies are just the same, hence long overdue government action.

http://israelbehindthenews.com/report-despite-unrwa-promises-teachers-again-inciting-to-violence-against-jewish-apes-and-pigs/14091/

And where does your Zionist propaganda link run by David Bedein get their money from? It is precisely to stifle the other side of the narrative that the OP bill is being proposed.

If Israel has nothing to hide by freedom of speech, what's the problem?

[Steely Dan]

The behavior of NGO's within Israel is as biased, dishonest and agenda driven as UNRWA or the left wing press. It is a matter of record that EU taxpayers money has gone to groups supporting and inciting violence, it is high time their activities were curtailed or a at least scrutinized.

Here is a link detailing the long list of incitement and antisemitism coming from within UNRWA, so this problem goes as high up as UN agencies. Amnesty international are just as bad, it is a matter of easily verifiable fact. The lesser known agencies are just the same, hence long overdue government action.

http://israelbehindthenews.com/report-despite-unrwa-promises-teachers-again-inciting-to-violence-against-jewish-apes-and-pigs/14091/

And where does your Zionist propaganda link run by David Bedein get their money from? It is precisely to stifle the other side of the narrative that the OP bill is being proposed.

If Israel has nothing to hide by freedom of speech, what's the problem?

I do realize truth has no currency with obsessive Israel demonizers, if it did then there would be nothing to discuss here.

[Seastallion]

The behavior of NGO's within Israel is as biased, dishonest and agenda driven as UNRWA or the left wing press. It is a matter of record that EU taxpayers money has gone to groups supporting and inciting violence, it is high time their activities were curtailed or a at least scrutinized.

Here is a link detailing the long list of incitement and antisemitism coming from within UNRWA, so this problem goes as high up as UN agencies. Amnesty international are just as bad, it is a matter of easily verifiable fact. The lesser known agencies are just the same, hence long overdue government action.

http://israelbehindthenews.com/report-despite-unrwa-promises-teachers-again-inciting-to-violence-against-jewish-apes-and-pigs/14091/

And where does your Zionist propaganda link run by David Bedein get their money from? It is precisely to stifle the other side of the narrative that the OP bill is being proposed.

If Israel has nothing to hide by freedom of speech, what's the problem?

I do realize truth has no currency with obsessive Israel demonizers, if it did then there would be nothing to discuss here.

I think you should think about the implications of what your reply suggests.

You appear to be saying that all the right wing "information" and opinions are the truth, and any opposing "information" or opinion is false and simply demonisation,

I think you'll find that you are very wrong. If you were honest about it.