Since March 30, 2018, Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups have organized violent confrontations along Gaza’s border with Israel under the label of the “March of Return.” The riots consisted of an organized armed attack on the Israeli border and IDF positions, attempts to destroy and breach the border fence, and sustained arson, rocket, and mortar attacks on Israeli civilian communities.
On July 26, 2019, the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) published the 2018 report on Children and Armed Conflict. Despite intensive lobbying by NGOs over the past few years, the IDF was not included in the Annex of “grave violators” of child’s rights.
The Japanese government funds numerous NGOS active in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as being the single largest donor to UNICEF, with donations amounting to more than $50 million from 2012-2017.
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS, a branch of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) provides millions of euros to highly politicized non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that promote anti-Israel narratives, lawfare, and BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) campaigns. Some of these organizations have ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a terrorist organization designated as such by the US, EU, Canada, and Israel.
NGO Monitor examines the claims in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) annual report on activity “to defend human rights and promote democracy worldwide” in 2018.
NGO Monitor discusses the rampant campaign of antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement within the Palestinian Authority.
Save the Children runs a number of projects in Gaza and the West Bank, implementing “programs in the areas of education, economic opportunities and psychosocial health… humanitarian assistance, child protection and youth development.” Despite a humanitarian mandate, some of these programs include major political and partisan advocacy that fuels the conflict, echoing the Palestinian narrative of victimization.
The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) funding is channeled to groups with ties to terror groups, that spread antisemitism, and that promote BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) campaigns against Israel.
On April 25, 2019, three UN Special Rapporteurs issued a statement supporting HRW Israel/Palestine Director and long-time BDS activist Omar Shakir, who failed to convince an Israeli court to force the Interior Ministry to grant him a new work visa.
NGO Monitor is participating in the 40th Session of the UN Human Rights Council by presenting submissions, giving oral statements, and hosting side events.
Professor Gerald M. Steinberg discusses how Canada is vital in providing a new agenda for the UN.