In the Media: European Union
Below is a compilation of articles highlighting NGO Monitor’s contributions to the broader conversation about NGOs, funding, and accountability in the European Union. These include blogs and op-eds written by NGO Monitor and staff, as well as articles citing NGO Monitor, or otherwise relevant to our mission.
The EU’s Self-congratulating “External” NGO Evaluation
NGO Monitor, August 3, 2017
The EIDHR allocates EU funds to civil society organizations that “promote democracy and human rights in third countries.” A recent EIDHR evaluation that seeks to identify areas for improvement fails to fulfill its mandate of independently assessing the instrument’s effectiveness by primarily consulting with a narrow segment of stakeholders, most of which have an obvious vested interest.
EU Ambassador’s Response on EU Funding to NGOs – Inaccurate and Inadequate
NGO Monitor, June 12, 2017
In response to questions raised concerning EU funding to NGOs, the EU Ambassador failed to discuss funding provided to European and Palestinian NGOs that support BDS, incite violence, justify terrorism, and/or promote antisemitism.
Open Letter: EU Funding to Organizations that Incite to Violence and Justify Terror
NGO Monitor, June 11, 2017
An open letter to the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on EU funding to organizations that incite violence and justify terror.
NGO that Promotes Violence Funded to Raise Awareness of “EU Core Values”
NGO Monitor, May 28, 2017
One of the beneficiaries of an EU grant aimed at promoting EU “core values,” Popular Art Center, has promoted violence against Israeli civilians, clearly violating the purpose and intent of the grant.
European Parliament: Ensure that Funds Are Not Diverted to Incitement
NGO Monitor, May 23, 2017
A European Parliament resolution reflects the EU’s readiness to address funding to civil society and to challenge the notion that all support for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has a positive impact.
Are NGOs immune to conflicts of interest?
Tamar Kogman, Euractiv, May 12, 2017
Tamar Kogman argues that the EU should keep its interaction with interest groups in check to avoid conflicts of interest, and calls for greater oversight of these organizations.
Parliament report opens ‘Pandora’s Box’ of EU-funded NGOs
Sarantis Michalopoulos, EURACTIV.com. April 4, 2017
The campaign for greater transparency and accountability of NGOs is not new. It even has its own advocacy group, called NGO Monitor, which denounces the relationship between Europe and NGOs as “problematic”…NGO Monitor particularly questions the “disproportionate focus” of EU aid on the Arab-Israeli conflict and the “political warfare” some wage against Israel.
[Opinion] BDS: The European-Funded ‘Grassroots’ Campaigns
Tamar Kogman, The Jerusalem Post, February 05, 2017
Tamar Kogman questions why the EU seems to be compromising its values by supporting NGOs that are spearheading efforts to boycott Israel.
POLITICO Brussels Influence: Let’s not drink to that — Brexit options — Inside Tajani’s team
Harry Cooper and Quentin Ariès, Politico Brussels Influence, February 3, 2017
“Liaising on NGO funding: The Israeli watchdog NGO Monitor joined the register in order to lobby MEPs in the budgetary control committee, who are working on a study on EU funding for NGOs. NGOs in the Middle East funded by the EU and European governments are one of their key concerns.”
The EU continues to fund the BDS Campaigns (Hebrew)
Nir Mualam, Arutz 20, January 31, 2017
“NGO Monitor: EU continues to pump millions boycott against Israeli organizations, despite declarations that it opposes the anti-Israel campaign.”
How the European Union Funds BDS
Mosaic, January 25, 2017
“However, NGO Monitor reviewed a number of EU regional funding programs designated for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, and found that 29 out of 100 EU grants administered through the frameworks [we] reviewed funnel funds to BDS organizations (€16.7 million out of €67.1 million—roughly 25 percent). And 42 out of 180 EU grantees in total support BDS—either through participation in activities and events, signing of petitions and initiatives, and/or membership in explicit BDS platforms. Several organizations were the recipients of more than one grant…”
EU Funding to NGOs Active in Anti-Israel BDS Campaigns
NGO Monitor, January 23, 2017
In-depth analysis of EU funding reveals that 25% of all beneficiaries support BDS, a tactic that the EU claims to expressly opposes.
NGO Monitor Reports: European Union Funding Dozens of BDS Groups
Hana Levi Julian, Jewish Press, January 23, 2017
“NGO Monitor reports that dozens of anti-Israel BDS projects are being financed by the European Union each year.”
New study: EU would be one of the main donors of BDS (French)
Tel Avivre, January 23, 2017
“NGO Monitor reviewed a number of recent EU regional funding programs for Judea and Samaria and Gaza, and found that € 16.7 million out of € 67.1 million (approximately 25% of grants of the EU) land in the BDS box. According to Olga Deutsch, Managing Director of NGO Monitor Europe “When faced with the evidence that it finances NGOs contrary to their policy, the EU responds that it finances projects submitted by NGOs, in line with the principles and Fundamental values of the EU, but not NGOs directly.””
NGO Monitor, December 27, 2016
The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) is a French NGO that pursues a “lawfare” strategy against Israel, accuses Israel of “war crimes” and “apartheid measures,” and considers anti-Israel BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) activists “human rights defenders.” Some FIDH officials have alleged ties to the PFLP terror group.
European money behind “campaign in schools” of Breaking the Silence
Gilad Tzvicky, Mida, December 27, 2016
EU-funded NGO Project Promotes Historical Revisionism and False Allegations against Israel
NGO Monitor, December 22, 2016
The EU’s funding, through the Partnership for Peace program, of a project implemented by Palestinian and Israeli NGOs is a perfect example of an EU-funded project blatantly contradicting EU policies.
European Funded NGOs linked to PFLP Terror Network, IBA News (Hebrew)
NGO Monitor, November 22, 2016
Report from IBA News based on NGO Monitor research, European Funded NGOs linked to PFLP Terror Network
Europe Funding Terrorists’ Defense
Ariel Ben Solomon, Mishpacha, August 24, 2016
The Role of EU Funding in UK “Lawfare” against MK Tzipi Livni
NGO Monitor, July 24, 2016
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights, an EU-funded NGO, is the driving force behind the ongoing lawfare campaign against Tzipi Livni and other senior Israeli officials.
EU Funding for NGOs- Value for Money? Part II- an Echo Chamber
NGO Monitor, July 13, 2016
The second in this series, this report deals with the EU’s engagement with civil society, highlighting phenomena such as centralization among grantees, EU-funded networks, and involvement of NGOs in policy-making.
1999 Secret EU Meeting Protocols Highlight Political Manipulation via NGO Funding
NGO Monitor, June 05, 2016
Since 2000, the EU has refused to release protocols established regarding funding of NGOs in the Middle East.
[Analysis] Europe’s Vicious Cycle
Professor Gerald M. Steinberg, The Jerusalem Report, May 29, 2016
Gerald Steinberg describes the unique and unhealthy dependence between the EU and NGOs active in the Arab-Israeli conflict, in which European funds are used to perpetuate the one-sided and biased views of anti-Israel groups.
Correspondence with European Commission Regarding B’Tselem Grant
NGO Monitor, April 17, 2016
EU Funders of NGOs Are Enabling Their Moral Failures
Professor Gerald M. Steinberg, BlogActive, March 22, 2016
Foreign-Funding to Palestinian NGOs that Incite Terrorism- MEMRI Report
NGO Monitor, March 21, 2016
HaMoked and B´Tselem´s Torture Allegations: EU-Funded Demonization
NGO Monitor, February 28, 2016
B´Tselem and HaMoked´s report alleging “Abuse and Torture” at an Israeli prison is based solely on “testimonies” from terrorists and suspected terrorists, coincides with the forthcoming UN Committee Against Torture review of Israel.
[Opinion] European politicians try (and fail) to manipulate Israeli legislation
Professor Gerald M. Steinberg, The Jerusalem Post, February 16, 2016
Gerald Steinberg argues that instead of sending inaccurate and biased letters in response to the proposed NGO law, European government officials should work to make the law unnecessary by increasing transparency and ceasing to fund politicized NGOs.
Pro-BDS Backgrounds of MEPs in Letter to Knesset on NGO Foreign Funding Legislation
NGO Monitor, February 14, 2016
A significant number of MEPs who signed a letter to Knesset opposing NGO Legislation have previously supported BDS Campaigns and participated in the demonization of Israel.
EU Funding for NGOs- Value for Money?
NGO Monitor, February 11, 2016
New EU funding for Israeli NGOs in the New Israel Fund Network- €1.9 million
NGO Monitor, February 1, 2016
Since November 2015, the EU has issued seven new grants, amounting to €1.9 million, to highly politicized Israeli NGOs that continue to demonize Israel in their rhetoric and activities.
Research Note: EU Science Commissioner Moedas opposes BDS, but EU Funding for NGOs Continues
NGO Monitor, January 20, 2016
Europeans may be on vacation, but their money is working for them in Israel
Olga Deutsch, Times of Israel, January 4, 2016
