Israel's Request to the European Union to Cut Funding to Several NGOs

On Friday, June 4, the Israeli government officially requested the European Union to cut its financial assistance to more than 10 Palestinian and European NGOs operating in the country. Israel described the financial support for these organizations as contradictory to the EU's official policy of opposing sanctions against Israel. According to EU laws, European citizens have the right to freedom of expression and can call for sanctions against Israel, but the EU itself opposes any sanctions against Israel. According to the Associated Press, the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs accused these organizations of having ties to militant groups such as Hamas in Gaza. The United States and Israel consider Hamas a terrorist organization. Reports from news agencies like the Associated Press describe this action by the Israeli government as the latest step to counter the 'global BDS movement,' which advocates for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel 'in protest of its treatment of Palestinians.' This movement has thousands of supporters and volunteers worldwide, especially in European countries, calling on producers, artists, and universities to sever ties with Israel. Supporters of this movement view it as a 'peaceful and non-violent way' to raise awareness about the Palestinian situation. In contrast, the Israeli government has consistently emphasized that this movement goes beyond the issue of occupied territories and aims to 'delegitimize or destroy' Israel. Accordingly, the letter from the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs on Friday stated: '... it is expected that the European Union will transparently disclose the extent and scope of its financial assistance to organizations that have ties to terrorism.' The letter also stated that the EU should 'immediately cut its funding to organizations that promote anti-Israel boycotts.' In response to reports of this request, the European Union stated on Friday that it had not received an official request from Israel and emphasized that it is confident that 'financial assistance is not solely used to support terrorism.' According to the Israeli report, pro-Palestinian NGOs received a total of five million euros from the EU in 2016. Among the organizations criticized by Israel, the Associated Press mentioned 'Norwegian People's Aid,' the British organization 'War on Want,' and the Dutch organization PAX. In March 2017, a law was passed prohibiting the entry of supporters of boycotting Israel into the country, which sparked a wave of reactions from human rights groups and opponents. The passage of this law was a response to the 'Boycott Israel Movement,' which calls for an end to 50 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Israel interprets this movement as a 'strategic threat' against itself and labels its supporters as anti-Semitic, an accusation that activists of this movement reject.