NGO Monitor in the News

15 December 2005


The European Jewish Press based its article, “British government attacked over funding” (November 16, 2005) on NGO Monitor’s report on the Department for International Development (DFID) and its practice of granting money to organizations that demonize Israel and promote the use of violence. NGO Monitor reports on Christian Aid also played a key role in this charity’s decision to meet with leaders of the British Jewish community, including Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. The Jewish Chronicle published a story on the issue titled, “Sacks to vet Christian Aid texts”, which noted widespread criticism of Christian Aid’s “Child of Bethlehem” Christmas 2004 appeal, as originally reported by NGO Monitor.

Debate at Tel Aviv

NGO Monitor Editor Professor Gerald Steinberg participated in the three-way debate with Amnon Vidan, Director, Amnesty International, Israel, and Emanuele Giaufret, a representative from the European Commission, on the role of NGOs in the Arab-Israeli conflict on Dec. 7 at Tel Aviv University.

Prof. Steinberg showed that one can no longer discuss international issues without taking into account the work of NGOs, “But the most powerful NGOs, such as Amnesty International, are not bound to any system of checks and balances,” Steinberg said. “People just assume they are unbiased and expert.”

In reality, Prof. Steinberg said the NGO “superpowers,” such as Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam, and Christian Aid operate with ideological agendas, mostly from a post-colonial perspective. “Rather than simply engaging in criticism, they are active participants in the conflict,” he said.

Responding to Prof. Steinberg’s criticism, Mr. Vidan said his group was only interested in upholding objective human rights norms. When asked how many reports Amnesty has issued on Hamas’ control of Bir Zeit University or Syrian support for Hezbollah, Mr. Vidan said Amnesty has never issued reports on these areas. “But Amnesty is opposed to those acts,” he said.

Mr. Guaufret gave the final address before the question-and-answer session, praising Israel for developing a civil society, which puts Israel on a par with the countries in Western Europe. He also said he believes NGOs play an important role in the conflict, and the EU will continue to fund projects by various NGOs. In response, Prof. Steinberg noted that the EU’s funding for radical Israeli NGOs under the guise of “civil society” is not consistent with democratic principles.