International Law
NGO "Lawfare": Exploitation of Courts in the Israeli-Arab Conflict
An in-depth report, documenting the central roles of groups such as the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), Al Haq, and others in implementing strategies for the prosecution of Israelis.
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International Law Series: The Right to Self Defense
The right to self-defense is a cornerstone of international law, enshrined in the UN Charter (Article 51) and numerous Security Council Resolutions. In order to delegitimize Israels self-defensive measures, many NGOs have issued statements distorting international law. Al Haq and PCHR falsely claim that Israel cannot invoke self-defense in response to attacks from non-state actors in occupied territory. Human Rights Watch and BTselem allege without any evidentiary basis that Israels exercise of self-defense is merely a pretext for punishing the Palestinians. Other groups pay lip service to Israeli self-defense.
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NGO Monitors Submission to the Human Rights Council Inquiry on the Gaza War, Led by Judge Richard Goldstone
Mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, Judge Richard Goldstone is conducting an investigation, including a fact-finding mission to Gaza and public hearings, on alleged war crimes violations by Israel during the Gaza War. NGO Monitors submission details NGO abuses of international law including distortions and demonization by PCHR, HRW, Amnesty, and Al Mezan, and lawfare campaigns and urges his commission to carefully examine the credibility and biases in NGO claims. Tendentious NGO reports influenced the inquiries of the Arab League and the UN Secretary General.
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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.
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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.
