Half the truth that’s fit to print

Gerald M. Steinberg
NGO Monitor
First printed in JPost
11 July '10

Israel is a very porous country, in the sense that individuals and organizations, particularly with money, can easily gain influence. This is both a reflection of an open and lively democracy and a remnant of the early Zionist movement, when Jewish philanthropists from the Diaspora, such as the Rothschild and Montefiore families, had central roles and close links with political leaders.

In the 1950s and 1960s, David Ben-Gurion and his political machine continued to rely on external donors, including friendly socialist parties, for campaign financing. Following this lead, Menachem Begin and Herut were also supported by their backers.

Like other remnants of Zionist politics, foreign funding continues, with unexamined consequences.

In this context, the “exposé” of tax-exempt funding for right-wing organizations (“Tax-exempt funds aid settlements in West Bank,” The New York Times, July 6) is not surprising. But the authors missed or erased half the story.

Based on NGO Monitor’s extensive research, the scale of tax-exempt funding from the US for the other side of the spectrum probably exceeds the $20 million average annually reportedly provided to support the settlement agenda. And, as in the case of groups targeted in the Times, radical left grantees push objectives that are also in direct opposition to US government policies.

NGO Monitor’s research shows how numerous groups that receive tax-exempt donations promote violent demonization, boycotts (illegal under US law) and “one-state” policies that are equivalent to seeking the destruction of Israel. These include Electronic Intifada, ICAHD-US, Friends of Sabeel, the benignly named Middle East Children’s Alliance and the Palestinian Right to Return Coalition.

(Read full article)

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The Gaza flotilla and the dirty NGO war

Gerald Steinberg
Canadian Jewish News
08 July '10

The images from the “peace” flotilla to Gaza exposed the tactics of powerful non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that lead the strategy of political warfare targeting Israel.

In the May 31 flotilla attack, IHH – a Turkish “charity” with close links to Hamas and jihadist groups – combined forces with European anti-Israel campaigners, including the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Members of both groups co-operate with terrorists that goad Israel into using force, resulting in injuries and deaths. They know how to unleash massive diplomatic and political campaigns using false charges of “war crimes,” “collective punishment” and similar allegations.

The Israeli government has been remarkably and depressingly inept in dealing with this third-generation warfare (following conventional army attacks from 1948 to 1973, and the ongoing terror campaigns). In the case of the IHH-ISM “free Gaza” flotilla, the IDF and Defence Ministry were surprised by the violence, and the political leadership, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, didn’t anticipate the international pressure to end the Gaza blockade. (When they acted to allow most civilian goods into Gaza, it was another case of too little, too late.)

In order to defeat this third-generation warfare, which has already done considerable damage, we need to assess the threat and find the right strategy. Understanding NGO exploitation of moral principles is the first step. The IHH and ISM were supported by a wide network, including the major NGO superpowers (Amnesty International, Oxfam, Human Rights Watch) and many local partners. This network creates the environment that automatically condemns Israel, while portraying Palestinians as helpless victims.

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NGO Involvement in the Gaza Boat Flotilla

NGO Monitor
01 June '10

Charities, NGOs, and other groups claiming human rights and humanitarian aid goals have been deeply involved in the demonization of Israel. The “Free Gaza Flotilla” highlights this façade of morality exploited for this political warfare.

In particular, NGO Monitor notes:

• The flotilla was endorsed by EU-funded Israel Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD), EU- and European-funded Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), NIF-funded Coalition of Women for Peace, European-fundedAlternative Information Center (AIC), and Israeli groups New Profile, Bat Shalom, Yesh Gvul, and Zochrot.
• Jeff Halper, executive director of ICAHD, is on the board of advisors of the Free Gaza Movement.
• Turkish group IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi) purchased three of the flotilla ships, including the Mavi Marmaris.
• IHH is a member of the Union of the Good, an umbrella of 50+ Islamic organizations, which was designated by the US government as “an organization created by Hamas leadership to transfer funds to the terrorist organization.” According to the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center(ITIC), during Operation Defensive Shield the Union of the Good transferred money, via Hamas charities, to families of suicide bombers. (The ITIC report contains photos of IHH leaders embracing Haniyeh and Mashaal.)
• According to a Danish research institute, the Turkish authorities began investigating IHH in 1997, after receiving info that senior figures had purchased weapons from Islamic radicals. A Turkish raid on the organization’s bureau turned up weapons, explosives, and instructions for making IEDs.

(Read full NGO report)

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