EU: Israel’s NGO Law ‘undermines democracy and freedom’

The European Union yesterday criticised a new Israeli law which targets foreign funded NGOs saying it “undermines democracy and freedom of expression” while a leading Israeli human rights group said it will submit an appeal against the law before the Supreme Court.

The Knesset passed the “NGO Law” on Monday by a vote of 57 to 48.

The law demands NGOs which receive more than half of their funding from foreign governments or organisations to provide details of these donations.

“The reporting requirements imposed by the new law go beyond the legitimate need for transparency and seem aimed at constraining the activities of these civil society organisations,” the European Commission said.

“Israel enjoys a vibrant democracy, freedom of speech and a diverse civil society… This new legislation risks undermining these values,” it added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly supported the bill which was proposed by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked.

Israel’s Peace Now NGO said the new law targets human rights organisations that oppose the occupation.

“Its true intention is to divert Israeli public discourse away from the occupation and to silence opposition,” it said. “While the law will delegitimise left wing organisations, pro-settler NGOs that receive millions of dollars in foreign donations without any transparency will remain unaffected,” it added.