Background

As in previous years, NGO Monitor has analyzed the financial reports of the New Israel Fund (NIF), detailing grants in 2013 to a wide variety of Israeli non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Our reports focus on the 18% of NIF funding authorized to political advocacy NGOs active, to varying degrees, in demonization campaigns against Israel.

Findings

NIF expenses in 2013 were $32,228,849, a 3.5% decrease from 2012 ($33,418,398). Authorized grants were approximately $16.4 million in 2013, a 4% decrease from 2012 ($17.6 million).  (Financial reports are usually only released 6-7 months after the end of the fiscal year. Details on grants in 2014 are only expected in June 2015.)

A number of NGOs involved in political activities related to demonization of Israel, in sharp contrast to NIF’s stated principles and funding guidelines, continue to be funded by NIF:

• Authorized grants to 30 political advocacy NGOs amounted to $2,927,135, a 26% decrease from 2012. However, it is not clear if this represents a change in policy or reflects a pattern of multiyear grants.
• NIF increased funding for Rabbis for Human Rights, Bimkom and Negev Coexistence Forum. The three NGOs were actively involved in opposing the Prawer-Begin framework for resolving the conflict over Bedouin land claims in the Negev, including political campaigns outside of Israel.
• Funding also continued to a number of radical fringe NGOs such as Social TV, +972 Magazine, Human Rights Defenders Fund, and Solidarity Sheikh Jarrah.
• In 2013, NIF ended funding for Arab Forum of Sexuality, Emek Shaveh, and Windows for Peace, while Parents Circle Family Forum received more than a nominal amount of funding for the first time (since at least 2006).
• NIF provided extensive funding for “Molad – The Center for the renewal of Israeli democracy” ($736,000 in 2013). Molad is an openly political think-tank that seeks to “revive the Israeli left,” including through a project entitled “61,” consisting of prejudicial posters, aimed at denigrating Israeli politicians with whom they disagree. It also serves as a political and ideological vehicle for individuals previously affiliated with radical NGOs such as Breaking the Silence and Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity Movement (SJSM).

Previous NIF funding for radical anti-Israel groups (ICAHD, Coalition of Women for Peace, Mada al-Carmel, etc.), which has since ended, highlights the need to carefully monitor funded NGOs to prevent abuse of financial and other support.

NIF authorized grants for political advocacy NGOs in 2012-2013, by percentage

BLUE– Newly funded NGOs | GREEN– Funding Ended | RED– Increased Funding