In the Media: IHL Secretariat
Below is a compilation of articles highlighting NGO Monitor’s contributions to the broader conversation about NGOs, funding, and accountability in the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat (a joint funding mechanism of Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark). 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.
New European Funding Cycle to the Secretariat
NGO Monitor, May 24, 2017
An overview of funding to the IHL Secretariat from its donor governments, following Denmark’s signing agreements for an additional funding cycle of $8.3 million.
Denmark will fund organizations that support terror (Hebrew)
Amit Mizrachi, Israel Hayom, May 17, 2017 (updated May 18)
“Danish FM will sign in Ramallah on the transfer of NIS 30 million to anti-Israel organizations. Olga Deutsch, head of Europe Desk at the research institute NGO Monitor: “the Danish taxpayer should know they are transferring funds designated for terror and violence.””
Danish FM will transfer NIS 30 million to pro-BDS organizations (Hebrew)
NRG, May 17, 2017
“NGO Monitor said that “the activities this framework is promoting are not in line with Denmark’s official support of the peace process and a two-state solution, and deny the legitimacy of Israel as the state of the Jewish nation.””
Samuelsen visiting the Middle East: “We must hold on to the two-state solution” (Danish)
Allan Sørensen, Berlingske, May 17, 2017
“A number of Israeli organizations, among them NGO Monitor, criticize Denmark and other EU countries to support Palestinian organizations promoting the idea of boycott of Israel and a one-state solution instead of a two-state solution. That is, ideas that are in stark contrast to the solution the donors themselves promote.”
Denmark to Transfer Over $8 million to Radical Anti-Israel NGOs
NGO Monitor, May 17, 2017
The Danish government will announce an additional $8.3 million to the IHL Secretariat, a joint funding mechanism that distributes a large portion of its budget as core funding to radical Palestinian NGOs that incite violence and terrorism, are active in BDS campaigns, and engage in legal warfare against Israel.
NGO Monitor, May 10, 2017
A summary of the recent activities of NGOs that receive core funding from the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat.
Switzerland – Silence over the millions for BDS organizations (German)
Alex Feuerherdt, audiatur-online, February 2, 2017
“The “Secretariat” mainly functions “as a money distribution machine,” says Heumann, which means that it transfers the revenues to Palestinian and Israeli NGOs. More than half of these organizations support “NGO Monitor ‘According to the BDS campaign, among them big money receiver as” Badil “,” Al-Haq “and” Addameer “, all of the leading organizations include the anti-Israel boycott movement.”
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat: January 2017 Funding Update 2.0
NGO Monitor, January 30, 2017
After NGO Monitor published a report on Swiss funding to the IHL Secretariat, Switzerland seems to have updated its funding page to reflect the previous amount and date, seemingly rescinding the latest increase.
JTA, The Times of Israël, January 30, 2017
« La demande de NGO Monitor pour les informations sur l’allocation des fonds aux associations de défense des droits de l’Homme a été rejetée par le ministère suisse. »
Citing National Interests, Switzerland Withholds Data on Funding for BDS Groups
Cnaan Liphshiz (JTA), Forward, January 27, 2017 (Also see , Jerusalem Post, Jewish press, Times of Israel, Jewish Calgary)
““Those most effected by the funding, including Israelis, Palestinians and Swiss taxpayers, should be able to see how these crucial decisions are made, and how this money is being spent,” Shaun Sacks, NGO Monitor’s Europe desk researcher, wrote in a statement about the Swiss ministry’s refusal to disclose documents.”
Swiss Government Hides Information on Millions for BDS-Funding Framework
The Jewish Press, January 26, 2017
“The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has denied requests from a Swiss resident and from NGO Monitor to provide public information about Swiss government funding to the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat (the IHL Secretariat), a Ramallah-based framework that distributes 56% of its budget to NGOs that advocate for BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) campaigns against Israel.”
Silent about High Wages (German)
Pierre Heumann, Die Weltwoche, January 26, 2017
“The question remains open, however, why is Information on the use of funds to human rights organizations in the foreign policy interests of Switzerland and why is the information covered up, is it a question of waste?”
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat: January 2017 Funding Update
NGO Monitor, January 25, 2017
Funding updates to the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat since November 2016.
Switzerland refuses to provide information on funding BDS organizations (Hebrew)
Gidon Dokov, nrg, January 24, 2017
‘A Swiss resident and non-profit organization NGO Monitor filed a request to the Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry for financial reports on anti-Israeli organizations such as “Al-Mezan” and left-wing groups as “B’Tselem” and “Breaking the Silence.” But they were told that” declassification could harm Switzerland’s foreign policy.”’
Switzerland refuses to disclose financial aid to anti-Israel NGOs (French)
Shraga Blum, LPH Info, January 24, 2017
“In the name of freedom of information, Swiss citizens and NGO Monitor have filed an application with the federal authorities to obtain reports on financial assistance to foreign NGOs. But the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) categorically refused. Reason: “The disclosure of such a report would be detrimental to the interests of Switzerland in the sphere of its international relations”.”
NGO Monitor, December 07, 2016
An update of the recent activities of NGOs that receive core-funding from the IHL Secretariat.
Celebrating millions in salaries to BDS organizations from Europe (Hebrew version)
Yair Altman, Israel HaYom, December 12, 2016
[Opinion] The Knights of the BDS order
Lena Bakman, Israel Hayom, September 01, 2016
Lena Bakman explains how Norway’s funding of the IHL Secretariat will in turn be used to support groups that promote BDS and other forms of demonization.
Judith Bergman, Israel Hayom, September 1, 2016
Norway gives money to group funding BDS campaigns
Sean Savage and Alina Dain Sharon, JNS, August 30, 2016
Norway Joins IHL NGO donor consortium supporting BDS and demonization
NGO Monitor, August 29, 2016
The Norwegian government is a major donor to the IHL Secretariat, which in turn funds NGOs that promote BDS and demonization campaigns against Israel.
Watchdog: Norway Should Cut Funding to Organization That Funnels Money to Pro-BDS Groups
Barney Breen-Portnoy, Algemeiner, August 29, 2016
Norway budgeted half-a-million dollars to BDS supporters (Hebrew)
Ariel Kahana, NRG, August 29, 2016
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat – Newsletter
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat, August 26, 2016
