Israel abandons controversial NGO funding plan after diplomatic outcry

The Israeli government had planned to present a controversial NGO funding bill to the Knesset Law Committee on Sunday (May 28th). But after strong criticism from many foreign representatives, the bill was withdrawn from the agenda. The government has backed down, and according to an order from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the law will be thoroughly reviewed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a parliamentary session at the Knesset, in Jerusalem on May 23, 2023. © Ohad Zwigenberg / AP

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With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Alice Froussard

This was one of the campaign promises of National Security Minister and Jewish supremacist Itamar Ben Gvir: a bill to tighten the tax conditions of NGOs, including those whose purpose is to alert, document or influence government policy by pressuring the judiciary or public opinion.

Subsidies to the latter, coming from foreign governments, would thus be considered "donations for interference in Israel's domestic politics," and as such, it was intended that these inflows would be taxed at 65%.

A direct attack on anti-occupation organizations, which depend only on funding of this type: "This is a deeply worrying legislation," warned the spokesman of the France embassy in Israel, as well as many ambassadors of European Union countries. The US administration of Joe Biden had also rebelled against this project through various diplomatic channels.

The government has suspended the introduction of the bill: "it will have to be reviewed," he said.

Israel's closest allies took a firm stand against restrictions on human rights organizations - and it WORKED.
Israeli Government Removes Proposed NGO Funding Law After Uproar From Europe, U.S. https://t.co/I4KsMdAs55

— ג'סיקה - جيسيكا - Jessica 🟣 (@JessicaMontell) May 27, 2023

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  • Israel
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