Israel Passes Controversial NGO Law

Despite massive criticism from both inside and outside Israel, the Knesset voted to pass a bill mandating special requirements for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that get most of their funding from foreign governments. Of a total of 27 organizations named by the Justice Ministry, 25 are human rights organizations identified with the left in Israel. The law was sponsored by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked with full backing from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. It requires NGOs that receive more than half of their funding from foreign governments to state this in all of their official publications and in the all reports to the registrar of nonprofit associations. Any NGO that violates these rules will be fined $7500. Netanyahu welcomed the bill saying it would “prevent an absurd situation in which foreign countries meddle in the internal affairs of Israel by funding NGOs without the Israeli public’s knowledge.” Several NGO’s reacted angrily, saying the bill aims to target dovish organizations in Israel. Peace Now which opposes Israel’s control of the West Bank and east Jerusalem called the bill a “blatant violation of freedom of expression. “Tailored specifically to target only peace and human rights organizations, its true intention is to divert the Israeli public discourse away from the occupation and to silence opposition to the government’s policies.” Peace Now said it would appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court against the bill.