Event features discussion on international law, Begin Prize to Prof. Alan Dershowitz

JERUSALEM – Coinciding with the vibrant debate in Israel about non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their influence in the region, NGO Monitor today launched its new book, The Goldstone Report “Reconsidered” – A Critical Analysis. The launch, held at The Menachem Begin Heritage Center, featured a panel discussion focusing on international law, human rights, and NGOs with Prof. Alan Dershowitz, Maj. Gen. Avichai Mandelblitt, and Prof. Abraham Bell.

“The Goldstone Report highlighted the power of NGOs and their ability to hijack and manipulate the rhetoric of human rights,” says Prof. Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor and moderator for tonight’s panel. “Israelis now recognize this massive abuse of power, which is driving the debate on NGOs, their funding sources, influence, and lack of accountability. The activities of NGOs in international arenas have significant impact on the delegitimization campaign against Israel.”

Published with the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA), Reconsidered is a comprehensive volume documenting the distortions of international law and principles of universal human rights. It includes contributions from Prof. Dershowitz and Ambassador Dore Gold, among other scholars and international law experts.

“Reconsidered furthers the public conversation regarding the manipulation of international law, and provides some much needed clarity,” noted Anne Herzberg, legal advisor of NGO Monitor, as she opened the event. “The 2001 Durban Conference – at which NGOs crystallized the ‘Durban strategy’ of demonizing and delegitimizing Israel – marked a new front in the political war against Israel. Since that time, the exploitation of universal human rights has been at the center of this battle.”

“Asymmetrical warfare means one side is bound by the rules of law while the other side takes advantage of the rules of law,” Maj. Gen. Avichai Mandelblitt said during the panel. “This is why our enemies are trying to take us into this unique environment.”

Reconsidered can be ordered on Amazon.

The book launch also featured the presentation of The Begin Prize to Alan Dershowitz, a member of NGO Monitor’s International Advisory Board.