U.S., EU pressure Netanyahu to scrap proposed bill against Israeli NGOs
EU ambassador to Israel, Andrew Standley, warns prime minister's national security adviser, Yaakov Amidror that passage of legislation could harm Israel's standing.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Israel US KnessetThe European Union and the United States, as well as other countries, have begun applying pressure on the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging that proposed legislation limiting funding by foreign governments of Israeli nonprofit organizations be scrapped.
The EU's ambassador to Israel, Andrew Standley, contacted the prime minister's national security adviser, Yaakov Amidror, on Thursday and warned him that passage of the legislation could harm Israel's standing in the West as a democratic country.
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Netanyahu at a session of the Knesset. |
| Photo by: AP |
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation will consider Likud's version of the proposed law, sponsored by MK Ofir Akunis, on Sunday. It would bar political nonprofit organizations from receiving more than NIS 20,000 from foreign governments or international agencies such as the UN or the EU.
An explanation in support of the bill - which is also supported by Netanyahu himself - said it was necessary in light of what were called "acts of incitement by many organizations operating in the guise of human rights organizations that seek to influence political discourse, the character, and policy of the State of Israel."
At the same time, Fania Kirshenbaum (Yisrael Beiteinu ) is sponsoring a similar bill that would require Israeli nonprofits that don't receive Israeli government funding pay a 45 percent tax on all proceeds from foreign governments.
Diplomats posted here from three European countries said the two bills are prompting great concern within the EU. One diplomat said the bills are problematic both with regard to potential harm to the countries' activities in Israel, and with regard to what he said was their anti-democratic character.
A diplomat familiar with the situation said that the EU's Standley told Amidror that the proposed laws are viewed as an attempt to limit civil society activity in Israel, calling the proposals part of a wider disturbing development.
For his part, Amidror is said to have replied with a defense of the legislation, calling foreign funding of nonprofits interference in Israel's internal affairs.
A senior Israeli official acknowledged that if the bills pass in their current form, they would cause a severe crisis with the EU. Standley has contacted all of the embassies in Israel that represent EU countries, urging them to register their own concerns regarding the legislation. EU ambassadors here are to meet on Tuesday to discuss the issue. The office of the EU in Israel has also approached the embassies of three non-EU countries - the United States, Canada and Norway - to coordinate the diplomatic response that Israel receives.
The embassies of Britain and the Netherlands, both countries that fund a number of left-wing organizations in Israel, have already begun to take action on the issue.
The British ambassador here, Matthew Gould, is said to have told Akunis that Britain supports the promotion of human rights in a large number of countries in an effort to advance universal values, and that the funding is not directed against the Israeli government.
In addition to individual EU countries, including Denmark, Belgium and Spain, as well as the U.K. and the Dutch government, the EU itself funds Israeli nonprofits. The United States and Canada do so too, and the American embassy has registered its own concern to the Prime Minister's Office.
קראו כתבה זו בעברית: ארה"ב ואירופה לוחצות על לשכת רה"מ: לא להגביל תרומות לארגוני השמאל
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Let's give money to NGOs supporting the IRA and ETA to run racist cartoons to vilify the UK and Spain!
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
lookup wikipedia, seem to be some 100s... NGO means: non-government-organizations...e.g. green peace...
Sticking their nose in israels private affairs. Back off.
If Israel insists on passing these undemocratic laws they should lose their OECD membership, There must be some accountabilty for their actions.
how does it make sense to tax organizations that are non profit more because they are not getting funded by the country which is what should be happening ,and especially if they are getting fund from out of the country because they government doesn't give them enough to stand and actually achieve what they are trying to accomplish .if anything they should be giving them additional tax breaks and trying to encourage any way of growth in these foundations .if they can not support all of them than they should be over joyed that they found other ways to continue they're work . they really shouldn't be so "self centered "
...that their own respective government will consider similar legislation. This means no more gravy train lobbying by AIPAC etc... And their politicians will lose a good source of income
How cute. Transparency is suddenly non-democratic. I am sure that George Orwell is laughing in his grave. Democracy is internal to the country - not an external matter. If someone is paid by a foreign power then it is not unreasonable that this issue be transparent and subject to the desires of the people of the country. The US and EU attempt to force their view on democratic country where the number of parties and so representation far exceed any of the complainants is ludicrous.
Israel is a democratic nation and does not need EU's stamp of approval! We don't meddle in Europe's dubious record on treating immigrants, migrants, nation minorities, and other issues that the EU keeps off the media radar. The EU supports many NGOs that call on abolishing the Jewish national character of Israel and the open immigration of illegal immigrants. How would France or Spain like it if Israel or another country spent billions to support NGOs calling for Basque secession or for the EU to allow free immigration of African migrants? Bibi should stand firm- the majority is behind him!
Democracy has destroyed Israeli "immunity system". Israeli enemies inside their own government spreading hatred and approoving terroristic act against it's civilians. And the funny thing is that Israeli taxpayers paying for that.
haha trust me there is NOTHING that could ruin israels image more than the current image.
why does he need an ultimatum from the EU?
first there were foreign churches working to convert Jews in Israel; now they got more sophisticated, have their govs working for them. The end result is the same - destroying the Jewish State from the inside.
AIPAC consists of American activist who promote American and Israel interest the Middle East and the world. It is a peace loving organization that wants the best for both nations. AIPAC receives no foreign money unlike NGO's in Israel that work to destroy Israel.
This kind of subversive behavior isn't legal in the US or Europe. Why should it be legal in Israel?
These NGO's are paid by foreign governments often hostile to the interests of Israel and it's people. These are not NGO's that help people, but instead sow hatred. The world should stop involving itself in Israel's domestic affairs and mind their own yard.
aipac is an american organisation funded by private donnations. it is not funded by foreign governments.
but Israel is required to keep turning the other cheeck.
the funding by foreign governments of israeli political organisations is a clear interference in israel's internal affairs. the europeans and the united states are following a long tradition of aggressive imperialism.
It isn't legal in other countries so why should it be legal in Israel.
AIPAC. How much money does AIPAC and similar organisation get from Israel? Legal?
Then Israel must stop lobbying the US with right wing pressure groups like AIPAC
umm, those foreign governments give the Israeli government FAR more money DIRECTLY. If you are worried about foreign interest, why not refuse to take that money??????
If Israel carries on this way it won't get a shekel of overseas aid.
There is nothing wrong with this bill it applies to BOTH left and right wing groups. Why should some American or European NGO or especially foreign government be allowed to BUY influence in Israeli policy making. The governments and these organizations don't give all this money out of the goodness of their heart they want a political reward for it ... its undemocratic and its certainly not for the EU or US to dictate how much money Israel allowed foreign governments and NGOS to give to Israeli organizations, its a domestic matter which has nothing to do with ANYBODY outside Israel, especially not foreign governments.
Once again, a dose of your own medicine doesn't taste so good.
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Pass the bill Mr. Netanyahu!
There is nothing contradictory about democracy and preventing foreign governments from influencing domestic politics. If anything, it is anti-democratic to allow this kind of interference to go on.
The government should stop taking aid money from EU and US. The amount the government takes dwarfs the minuscule amount the NGOs take. The whole thing is an exercise in hypocrisy and pandering to extremist views.
one government has the right to support another government with military assistance. the eu gives israel nothing.
are you kidding? what funds does the EU provide Israel?! stop deliberately spreading disinformation about Israel. - We're on to your antisemitic agenda!
Foreign funding goes both ways Nutty. Salaam/Shalom
Israel has finally openly acknowledged its right wing, Fascist face. It is a shame that Netanyahu and his cronies can do as they please and the idiots in the United States will still refer to Israel as a democracy. What an ugly time this is.
how sad it is that with your agenda you see things in such a twisted way.
You cannot use the government machinery to attack your political opponents. At least not quite so openly as Israel does it.
Democracy=transparency In the UK any donations over £s need to be declared but they object to that too.
The EU would both expose the funding and most likely tax or cut it off, especially in light of Israel's security situation.
it is a registered lobby group!
It is not the job of the U.S. or the Europeans to tell the Israelis how to govern just as it is not appropriate for Israel to control independent governments outside its borders. It is critical that Israel enact the laws it wants to provide transparency. Othewise, how else would we know that Israel is the World's Most Moral Pariah (WMMP)? The Jewish democracy must be allowed to operate freely! Let the truth be seen!
Besides, the NGO's are Israeli, not American or European. Surely they can benefit ? After all, the settlers get Moskovitz to buy up E. J'lem, and no one things ill of that. Well, actually, I do. The usual hypocrisy. Just another way for the cabinet to strangle the opposition.
It would be illegal in the US for Israel to spend a singe penny to influence an election. Elections are for American citizens only and no foreign money can be involved in any way. No normal country allows foreigners to try and buy their elections.
Aipac!
AIPAC (like any other political NGO) in the US, is made up of Americans only, and only Americans fund it. AIPAC does not receive any money from Israel or any other foreign government (this is illegal in the US). Israel is proposing laws that are far less stringent than the US standard.
AIPAC may be an American formed jewish Institution. However it acts in the interests of the Israeli government and not the American govt as we have seen time and again. It uses its money to pervert American democracy in favour of Israel.
There are different types of Democracies. Israel's is one that is challenged far more than all Westernized countries, and is constantly under attack. It is wrong to judge it through one standard. Further, Israel is far, far more Democratic than most countires in so many ways. (I cannot imagine for a moment, how the PM of Israel, and all major leaders survive the pressure of running, managing and representing Israel. Its laws are challenged by other countries regularly, and that same standard is not used with dozens of other countires that care little for their citizens, freedoms, and a better life.) This law, if it is passed, is intended to protect another front Israel needs to defend -- NGO's, Human Rights organziations and foreign aid used to manipulate Israeli society. If you think that is not true, why would that be? Israel is the most talked about country in the world; the most loved and the most hated. She has many friends and a plethora of enemies. Vast numbers of NGOs are anti-Israel and anti-Semitic. I am the president of a Jewish NGO and see it. Israel is a democracy. Israel is under attack on more than just geographical fronts. She has the right to protect herself.
Israeli society is infested with paranoia. Maybe we need to send for better shrinks.
It is not acceptable. We are not living in the mid 20th century anymore when such practices were acceptable.
Israel only needs to be loved by one, and the good news is, it is.
This is exactly what Putin claims as the Russian appratchiks are working to eliminate human rights NGOs in Russia,
and what about the more as10,000 prisoners lock-up and detain without filed any case in Court ?
Please support Palestine's bid, human rights are being curtailed and more land taken as the weeks draw by, and the only ones who do anything about it in Israel re being stifled.
Communism and Fascism seem to behave better than this Democracy....
There is none so blind than those who refuse to see.
Tell the entire world that Israel will not be dictated to, we do what we must, the rest of the world can go to hell in a handbasket, Am Yisrael Chai. Bomb Iran!
I really hope, but I doubt you live in Israel. You are the typical coward living abroad and sending your fellow jews to danger.
They do more harm than good. Thy act AS ENEMIES within..Has Israel not enough enemies to deal with,withoutthese addittional TROUBLE makers..You BB go fo it ... Go and tell them they do not have to live in your country facing sufficient unwanted meddlers as it is.Who re THOSE INEPT EU memberrs that are not only bankrupt but having a hard time to KEEp THEIR HEADS ABOVE the water...
If you're funding organizations in Israel that are shown to be detrimental to our national security then go take a walk. Enough of your absurd interference in our national life. Take a long walk. Hang tough Bibi
Israel is likely more democratic than any other planet on earth. It's political ideology is democracy in a region where that word and practice has been foreign for centuries, if ever. Israel is challenged by the fiber of democracy every single day in a way that other countries could not handle. How dare you accuse Israel of being racist. Invest time and effort into reading and learning, and asking questions prior to stating an opinion of Israel, the only country in the world that rescued co-religionist under seige, in an African country..not once..not twice...not even three times; the rescue continues. How dare you.
I already thought your comment was way out there...
hammas, islamic jihad, syria, iran, saudi and the 5000 other who are anti semites to stop their BS
Should Israel pass such laws, the US should consider the same treatment of the support that Israel gives to NGO's here.
Stop financial support for Israel!!!!!
Israel dosen't fund political NGO's in the United States. In fact, the US has laws against foreign funding of political NGO's in the United States.
Its non of the EU'S business what legislation Israel passes. Secondly their interference in Israeli internal matters must cease. I actually thought Europe needs this money anyway, might help the unemployment there. Hidden agendas of the EU while the EU people live on the bread line---rather sad hypocrites you have voted for in Europe.
Sad Future
No democracy to be found as we speak.
So why should the Israeli state give money to Communist anti-Zionist NGO's?