"Why did we come?"- Political NGOs Marginalized at the Durban Review Conference

NGO representatives expressed disappointment and alienation regarding NGO participation in the Durban Review Conference. Speakers complained that their attendance at the conference was irrelevant and futile. The Outcome Document was adopted before the NGOs had the opportunity to address the plenary. These groups were only permitted to participate in the general debate on the last agenda item. UN staff explained that NGO influence was important for implementation and follow-up. The interaction between the UN and NGOs highlights the latters ambiguous status in the UN framework and the questions about whom they represent.

Topics

• 2009 Durban Review Conference
• United Nations

Al Haq Director -- High Court finds that alleged involvement with "terrorist entities" continues

Topics

• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
• Shawan Jabarin
• Terrorism

Focus: NGOs on U.S. decision to pull out of Durban II

Topics

• 2009 Durban Review Conference
• Demonization
• Racism

HRW's "Rain of Fire": Neither Thorough Nor Impartial

As in HRWs other statements on Gaza, this report reflects a manipulation of "evidence" and lack of professionalism to support pre-determined political and ideological positions. The charges of "war crimes" are unjustified, based on dubious interpretations of international law, and reflect HRWs role in the wider Durban strategy of demonization. The lack of credibility results from reliance on unreliable and tampered evidence; false and inaccurate claims; and internal contradictions. The authors include a pro-Palestinian activist who has worked at the highly politicized PCHR.

Topics

• 2009 Gaza War
• Biases
• International Law
• Lack of Evidence
• white phosphorus

Betrayed by Silence: NGOs ignore Gilad Shalit's rights

Gilad Shalit is not a high priority for human rights NGOs. There is no evidence that NGOs have undertaken sustained campaigns in support of Shalits rights. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have made only infrequent references to Shalit, always in the context of condemning Israel for "war crimes," "wanton destruction," and "collective punishment." Most Israeli groups have published only one or two statements in support of Shalit.

Topics

• Gilad Shalit
• IDF
• War crimes

The NGO Front in the Gaza War

Topics

• 2009 Gaza War
• Demonization
• Lawfare

HRF: Increase in anti-Semitic attacks in Europe -- Gaza backlash

Topics

• 2009 Gaza War
• Antisemitism
• War crimes

The NGO Front in the Gaza War: Compilation of NGO statements

A compilation of over 500 statements by 52 NGOs on "Operation Cast Lead" (December 27, 2008 - January 29, 2009).

Topics

• 2009 Gaza War
• Demonization
• War crimes

The NGO Front in the Gaza War: The Durban Strategy Continues

Topics

• 2009 Gaza War
• Durban
• Human Rights Law
• International Humanitarian Law
• International NGOs

• Israeli NGOs
• Lawfare
• Oxfam
• UN Human Rights Council (HRC)
• War crimes

The NGO Front in the Gaza War: Exploitation of International Law

The exploitation of international legal rhetoric is a major weapon in the political war to delegitmize Israeli anti-terror operations. During the Gaza conflict, NGOs have selectively charged Israel with "violations of law," "crimes against humanity," "war crimes," "disproportionate force" and "indiscriminate attacks." Many NGOs are already calling for international "investigations" and "lawfare" based on these accusations, in order to harass Israeli officials and promote a negative media image of Israel. At the same time, the violation of Gilad Shalits human rights and Hamas use of human shields are ignored.

Topics

• Demonization
• Distortions of International Law
• Durban Strategy
• Gilad Shalit
• Hamas

• Human Shields
• International Law
• Terrorism
• War crimes