EU says the Israeli ‘new’ NGO law risks undermining values

Jews rally near holy site in memory of murdered teen

JERUSALEM, July 12, (Agencies): The European Union said on Tuesday an Israeli law targeting foreign-funded NGOs risked undermining democracy and free speech, and a leading Israeli rights group said it would appeal the legislation in the Supreme Court.

Israel’s parliament passed the NGO bill during a late-night session on Monday by a vote of 57 to 48. The law will require NGOs that receive more than half their funding from foreign governments or bodies such as the European Union to provide details of their donations.

“The reporting requirements imposed by the new law go beyond the legitimate need for transparency and seem aimed at constraining the activities of these civil society organisations,” the European Commission said.

“Israel enjoys a vibrant democracy, freedom of speech and a diverse civil society... This new legislation risks undermining these values,” said the commission, the executive arm of the EU. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,

whose far-right justice minister sponsored the bill, said the law aimed to prevent “the absurd situation in which foreign countries interfere in Israel’s internal affairs”, without the public knowing.

Most of the Israeli NGOs that receive support from foreign governments are left-wing and many oppose the policies of Netanyahu’s right-wing government towards the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Jewish hardliners and Israeli right-wing politicians rallied near a flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem on Tuesday in support of a family whose 13-year-old daughter was murdered by a Palestinian.

The provocative rally of a few hundred people was also attended by the girl’s parents, who later joined dozens of others in visiting the nearby Al-Aqsa mosque compound, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount.

The compound is one of the most potent symbols of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Clashes frequently erupt there between Israeli police and Palestinians who suspect Israel of seeking to change rules governing it.

The parents’ visit along with relatives and supporters took place under heavy police guard.

Hardliners at the rally near the site spoke of building a new Jewish temple at the highly sensitive compound.

One man wore a T-shirt saying: “There’s no such thing as Palestine,” as well as a necklace with a bullet dangling from it.

A few confused tourists looked on while queueing to visit the compound.