Funding for NGO Antisemitism Instead of Human Rights

NGO MONITOR

Jerusalem – In advance of the 2015 Global Forum for Combatting Antisemitism, and in response to rising levels of hatred in Europe, NGO Monitor has published a detailed report on the international, Palestinian, and Israeli NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that engage in egregious antisemitic activities and rhetoric. According to the report, despite the extensive evidence of NGO antisemitism, which contradicts claims to promote human rights and humanitarian agendas, governments continue to fund these groups with hundreds of millions of dollars, pounds, euros, and kroner.

“NGO Monitor’s research shows that by funding NGOs that engage in antisemitic activities and rhetoric, governments highlight a persistent double standard: hatred of Jews is tolerated in a way that would be unthinkable for other racial, ethnic, or religious groups.” stated Professor Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor. “Jewish and Israeli targets are often denied the right to define what constitutes discrimination against them.”

Incidents discussed in the report include the July 2014 “Open Letter for the People of Gaza,” published in The Lancet, a British medical journal. The letter, which accused Israel of “war crimes” while ignoring Hamas’s crimes of rocket fire and terror tunnels from Gaza, was signed by Drs. Mads Gilbert, Iain Chalmers, Paola Manduca, Swee Ang Chai and others associated with highly politicized NGOs and anti-Israel campaigning. Manduca and Ang promoted a virulently antisemitic video by the white supremacist, David Duke. The editor-in-chief of The Lancet, Dr. Richard Horton, never apologized for the letter, and the article is still available on The Lancetwebsite.

NGO Monitor’s publication also documents the inaction of NGOs to report on or condemn antisemitism. On April 19, 2015, Amnesty International’s UK branch held its Annual General meeting. Out of 17 proposed motions, the only resolution that was rejected called on Amnesty-UK to “Campaign against anti-Semitism in the UK,” as well as “Lobby the UK Government to tackle the rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Britain,” and “monitor anti-semitism closely.” In this context, it is notable that Amnesty-UK employee Kristyan Benedict has repeatedly used social media platforms to circulate antisemitic content. In addition, this report documents ongoing antisemitic content among church groups involved in anti Israel demonization.

“NGOs and governments must enact clear policies and establish where campaigns regarding Israel cross the line,” said Professor Gerald Steinberg, presi dent of NGO Monitor. “Funders bear responsibility for the hate-filled activities and rhetoric of their grantees. Such funding, as well, must end.”

NGO Monitor, an independent research institution, was founded in 2002 in the wake of the World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa. At this conference, 1,500 NGOs formulated the “Durban Strategy” which aims to isolate Israel through measures such as boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaigns, lawfare, delegitimization and demonization.

NGO Monitor (www.ngo-monitor.org), is the leading source of expertise on the activities and funding of political advocacy NGOs involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict. NGO Monitor provides detailed and fully sourced information and analysis, promotes accountability, and supports discussion on the reports and activities of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) claiming to advance human rights and humanitarian agendas.