Moshe Dann
Investigating the NIF is like opening Pandora's box, with the contents having enormous influence and power to control.
A motion to investigate the New Israel Fund (NIF)by Israeli MK Otniel Schneller was withdrawn because of “intense pressure.” Other MKs may try to hold hearings, but if anyone does take up the issue, it won’t be easy. Investigating the NIF will expose not only Kadima, Labor, and anti-settlement and anti-Israel organizations, but their connections to Israeli politicians — especially President Shimon Peres, his Peres Center for Peace, and its supporters.
The Peres Center has quietly backed NGOs through a network of relationships and meetings. It organized a conference of Palestinians and anti-Israel NGOs in Florence in June 2007, which included B’Tselem, Rabbis for Human Rights, Israeli Committee Against House Demolition, Yesh Din, Peace Now, and others. Ron Pundak, president of the Peres Center, was the host. Former MK Avrum Burg, a founder of Peace Now who recently urged Israelis to acquire foreign citizenship, gave the keynote.
The Peres Center supports a host of NGOs, like the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum, and other organizations that demonize and delegitimize Israel. Peace NGO organizes demonstrations against Jews living in
Of the 123 NIF grantees, half are Arab or pro-Arab organizations with political agendas.
eastern Jerusalem, like those in Sheikh Jarrah.
The NIF works with the Council for Peace and Security, a small but vocal group of anti-settlement former IDF officers and prominent Israelis, including former Justice Aharon Barak.
Of the 123 NIF grantees, half are Arab or pro-Arab organizations with political agendas.
The NIF is funded by many foundations (in addition to multi-million dollar Ford Foundation grants). These include Bronfman, Cummings, Blaustein, Dorot, Kaplan, Sandler (ex-owners of Global West banks and major supporters of Human Rights Watch), Arnow, and others.
The NIF International Council — composed of prominent individuals, most of whom oppose Israeli settlements — includes former U.S. Secretary of State Martin Indyk; Yoram Peri, former advisor to Yitzhak Rabin and ex-editor of Davar; Yehudit Karp, former deputy attorney general; Professor Mordechai Kremnitzer, VP of the Israel Democracy Institute; and former Minister of Justice David Libai.
PM Netanyahu may or may not order an investigation, but this would be limited, since his coalition and their support.
To read the remainder of this article please go to: YNET News
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