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- The European Union (EU) provides millions of euros to highly politicized non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Currently, the EU works through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) funding instrument, introduced in June 2021 “in an effort to streamline existing financing instruments” and merge stand-alone external frameworks.
- Prior to the launch of NDICI, the EU was transferring funds via various funding instruments including the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR),1 Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP),2 European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI),3 and Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI).4
- Many organizations receiving EU funds for work in the Israel context promote anti-Israel narratives, lawfare, and discriminatory BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) campaigns. Several of these organizations have ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine(PFLP) – a designated terrorist organization by the EU, US, Canada, and Israel. These activities are inconsistent with the EU’s policies of supporting a two-state framework to the Arab-Israeli conflict, promoting peace, and rejecting BDS.
- The EU expressly opposes BDS. When confronted by evidence of funding for NGOs with agendas or values that contradict EU policy, the EU’s recurring response is that it “funds projects submitted by NGOs, in line with [the] EU’s fundamental principles and values, but not NGOs themselves.”
- In 2019, the EU introduced a new requirement in its contracts with Palestinian NGOs, under “General conditions applicable to European Union-financed grant contracts for external actions” (Annex G.2, Annex II, Article 1.5 bis). It stipulates that “Grant beneficiaries and contractors must ensure that there is no detection of subcontractors, natural persons, including participants to workshops and/or trainings and recipients of financial support to third parties, in the lists of EU restrictive measures.” These lists include terrorists and terrorist organizations designated as such by the EU (e.g. Hamas, Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine).
- According to a November 2023 European Commission document, in 2020-2021, Palestinian NGOs involved in 11 projects totaling €14.3 million refused to sign the updated contract.
- In May 2023, the European Parliament approved the 2021 discharge report, “EU general budget – Commission and executive agencies,” one of the most important budgetary documents. The document calls on the Commission to “to ensure that individuals or groups affiliated, linked to, or supporting terrorist organisations are excluded from Union funding” (emphasis added). The Parliament also called for “the creation of a public black list of NGOs, that have engaged in activities such as hate speech, incitement to terrorism, religious extremism supporting or glorifying violence, or have misused or misappropriated Union funds and are listed.”
- On October 5, 2021, the European Commission published its “EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021-2030),” which stated that the Commission and the High Representative will “Ensure that EU external funds, in compliance with existing measures, may not be misallocated to activities that incite hatred and violence, including against Jewish people;” and “Incorporate the fight against antisemitism into all their human rights strategies and policies, taking into account the IHRA definition of antisemitism” (emphasis added).
- This follows a January 2021 “Handbook for the practical use of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism” published jointly by the European Commission with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance that urged funding institutions to “reference the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism to support control and supervision mechanisms and to ensure that funding does not go to entities and projects that promote antisemitism or other forms of hate.”
Developments Since the October 7th Hamas Massacre
- The European Union (alongside other European governments) suspended aid to Palestinians in October 2023. On November 21, 2023, the European Commission (EC) released the results of an internal review of all ongoing funding to Palestinians. Among conclusions relating to NGO dimensions, funds to NGOs implementing two EU-funded projects were suspended over “allegations of incitement to hatred and violence after the 7 October 2023 events.” The EC also promised to improve “anti-incitement” monitoring.
EU Investigations into Terror Funding
- In May 2021, as reported by the media and a parliamentary question, the European Commission suspended its funding to Palestinian NGOs Al-Haq and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), pending the results of an investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The Commission further “instructed Oxfam to cut funding” to the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) in light of Israeli allegations into the NGOs’ links to the PFLP. According to Al-Haq, on June 30, 2022, the European Commission decided to lift the suspension of funds to Al-Haq and PCHR.
- During a May 19, 2020 meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi stated that he had instructed the heads of EU delegations to Israel and West Bank/ Gaza to “look deep” in to the allegations that some EU funds go to terror-linked or -supporting NGOs, declaring that such funding “will not be tolerated.”
- This decision follows concerns raised by Members of the European Parliament and civil society over a “clarification letter regarding the EU-funded contracts” sent on March 30, 2020 by the EU Representative Office to the West Bank and Gaza to Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) – an umbrella organization of 142 Palestinian NGOs. In the letter, the EU diplomats appear to give in to Palestinian pressure and effectively annul EU regulations that prohibit the transfer of EU funds to terror groups or individuals connected to these groups (what Palestinian NGOs label “political parties” and “resistance factions”).
- This decision also follows NGO Monitor’s exposure about an EU grant of €699,236 (2017-2019) that went to five Palestinian organizations, four of which have ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated terrorist organization by the EU, US, Canada, and Israel. In December 2019, the Israeli media reported that the Israel Security Agency arrested 50 people from a terror network operating in the West Bank allegedly responsible for the bomb attack that murdered Rena Shnerb, a teenager, in August 2019. Among those arrested were three senior employees of NGO beneficiaries of this EU grant, including financial officers. (See below for further details.)
- In addition to the EU Commissioner’s declaration, in June 2020, European Commission President’s office stated that “these [EU safeguards] rules make the participation of entities, individuals or groups affiliated linked or supporting terrorist organisations incompatible with any EU funding. If there is clear evidence that any organisation has made an inappropriate use of EU funds, the European Commission will take the appropriate measures such as recovery of the funds, exclusion of the entity from future EU financing, prosecution, etc” (emphasis added).5
Lack of NGO transparency and accountability [ECA/CONT REPORTS]
- In 2018-2019, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and the European Parliament’s (EP) Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) published reports on transparency and accountability in EU funding to NGOs. The reports noted significant structural issues with EU monitoring and control mechanisms, especially as they related to the activities of beneficiary organizations receiving funds.
- In 2018, following significant discussions in Brussels regarding the issue of EU funding to NGOs – which NGO Monitor actively participated in – the ECA issued its special report “Transparency of EU funds implemented by NGOs: more effort needed.” The report concluded that the Commission “was not sufficiently transparent regarding the implementation of EU funds by NGOs.”
- While the ECA highlighted that transparency “should cover the entire process and all implementation layers, from selection of NGO-led actions, through the collection of information on these actions and its disclosure,” the Commission suffered from significant shortcomings. Examples include:
- The Commission “not having comprehensive information” particularly with regards to “networks of international NGOs and projects under indirect management.”
- The Commission “does not always collect and check information on EU funds implemented by NGOs appropriately.”
- “Commission systems do not always record information on funds received by all the beneficiaries of a contract.”
- “In external action, the Commission does not have comprehensive information on all NGOs supported.”
- Similarly, in 2019, the EP and CONT released their report, “Democratic accountability and budgetary control of non-governmental organisations financed from the EU budget.” This study was a follow up to a 2016 study of the same name, which noted significant shortcomings related to transparency, information management, and accountability. Many of these same issues remain unresolved in the 2019 update. Examples include:
- A noted lack of transparency with the Commission and the FTS database, with report authors noting that “information on disbursements is managed by individual Commission departments and is not published.”
- Compliance with Commission contractual requirements “still does not ensure transparency and accountability where EU funds are concerned.”
- Concerning recommendations from the 2016 report, the authors noted, “Recently updated Commission visibility and communications guidelines do not address key systemic recommendations made in the previous study that were intended to make information more easily accessible, and to provide a longer-term picture of the role of EU funding to individual NGOs.”
- In March 2020, the European Parliament published a report on the “implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018.”
- In this report, the Committee on Foreign Affairs refers to the above ECA report and notes that the “Court report found that the Commission could improve its transparency regarding the implementation of Union funds by NGOs; stresses that NGOs are subject to the same transparency requirements as other beneficiaries; calls on the Commission to improve its systems for monitoring the use of funds implemented by NGOs and ensure and verify the correct and consistent application of rules and procedures, in line with the Court’s recommendations.”
- In addition, the report stated that the ECA “insists that an important criterion for the Commissions prioritising of the external aid should be the presence of rule of law and the respect of human rights in the recipient country; insist [sic] that the Commission should thoroughly verify the use of Union funds by third entities to ensure that no funds are allocated or linked to any cause or form of terrorism and/or religious and political radicalisation.”
Grants to Politicized NGOs
Palestinian NGOs
- Al Mezan
- In 2022-2023, the European Union granted €375,000 to Al Mezan and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I) for “Health-Promoting and Protecting Adequate Medical Care and Right to Health of Referral Patients, Prisoners, and Poor Persons in the OPt.”
- A number of Al-Mezan officials and employees are members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Hamas, terrorist organizations designated as such by the US, EU, Canada, and Israel. For more information on Al-Mezan’s PFLP ties, read NGO Monitor’s report “Al Mezan Center For Human Rights’ Ties to the PFLP Terror Group.”
- Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-orchestrated atrocities, Al Mezan has led the “genocide” accusations against Israel and have intensified its lawfare campaigns in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Interantional Criminal Court (ICC). (For more information, see NGO Monitor report “FIDH and Its PFLP-Linked Member NGOs Lead ‘Genocide’ Accusation Against Israel.”)
- In 2017, Al Mezan director Issam Younis6 participated in a panel discussion on “The requirement for supporting and the success of the national [Palestinian internal] reconciliation.” The panels included multiple representatives of Palestinian terror groups, such as PFLP Political Bureau member Kayed Al- Ghoul, PIJ Political Bureau member Khaled Al-Batsh, and Hamas Political Bureau head in Gaza Yehya Al-Sinwar. Issam Younis addressed the panel together with Yehya Al-Sinwar.
- In 2022-2023, the European Union granted €375,000 to Al Mezan and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I) for “Health-Promoting and Protecting Adequate Medical Care and Right to Health of Referral Patients, Prisoners, and Poor Persons in the OPt.”
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- Under the guise of medical expertise and scientific fact, Israeli NGO PHR-I promotes distorted and false narratives, aimed at demonizing and delegitimizing Israel in the international arena.
- In May 2024, PHR-I published a statement declaring that “Since October 7, the Israeli government and other entities have been exploiting reports of sexual violence in a manipulative and cynical manner. These reports have been utilized as part of a campaign to dehumanize Palestinians and as a propaganda tool to justify Israel’s brutal military assault on the Gaza Strip.”
- Under the guise of medical expertise and scientific fact, Israeli NGO PHR-I promotes distorted and false narratives, aimed at demonizing and delegitimizing Israel in the international arena.
- Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO)
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- In 2021-2024, the European Union granted €1.3 million to the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) for “Participation of Grassroots Organisations in Decisions Making Process and Constituency Building.”
- PNGO is an umbrella organization comprising 142 Palestinian NGO member organizations, many of which support BDS campaigns and have ties to the PFLP terror group. In January 2020, PNGO vehemently opposed a new clause in European Union grant contracts with Palestinian NGOs that prohibits grantees from working with and funding organizations and individuals designated on the EU’s terror lists. PNGO claimed that Palestinian terrorist organizations are “political parties.”
- Multiple PNGO officials have ties to terrorist organizations, and at least five PNGO members have ties to EU-designated terror organizations, including through their employees and/or board members who are directly involved in activities and programs.
- In October 2019, Walid Hanatsheh – a member of PNGO’s board of directors and the Financial and Administrative director for Health Work Committees, an organization with ties to the PFLP – was arrested for participating in a terrorist attack in which a 17-year old was murdered. According to the indictment against him, Hanatsheh bankrolled the bombing. Following his arrest, the PFLP labeled Hanatsheh a “leader in the Popular Front.”
- In November 2023, Switzerland (FDFA) announced it ended its funding to PNGO over breach of FDFA’s Code of Conduct. Swiss media, citing FDFA’ s Head of communications, revealed that the reason for the end of the contractual relationship between FDFA and PNGO was the latter’s problematic attitudes towards violence.
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- Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) and Ma’an Development Center
- In 2021-2025, the European Union is granting €3.4 million to Oxfam Novib for a project to “Build[] Economic Resilience in Gaza” with the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) and Ma’an Development Center.
- The Union of Agricultural Work Committee (UAWC) is identified by Fatah as an official “affiliate” and by USAID-engaged audit as the “agricultural arm” of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). UAWC is also highly active in promoting BDS campaigns and utilizing inflammatory rhetoric. For more information on UAWC’s PFLP ties, read NGO Monitor’s report “Union of Agricultural Work Committees Ties to the PFLP Terror Group.”
- Two UAWC employees, who worked with the organization’s finances, were arrested in 2019 and are currently standing trial for being part of a PFLP terror cell that perpetrated the August 2019 murder of a 17-year-old Israeli.
- In a letter to the Dutch parliament, Development Cooperation Minister Tom de Bruijn and Foreign Affairs Minister Ben Knapen wrote that an independent investigation commissioned by the government in 2021 found that 34 UAWC employees had ties to the PFLP in 2007-2020, some holding leadership positions in the terrorist group concurrent to their employment at UAWC.
- On February 13, 2024, German news outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine reported that Germany decided to cut funding to six Israeli-designated PFLP-linked NGOs, including UAWC.
- Several UAWC officials celebrated the October 7 Hamas-orchestrated massacre. For instance, on October 7, UAWC’s head of the Gaza Fisherman Committee Zakaria Bakr posted on Facebook, “Complete the history and change the geography, it is the great October, October of victories.”
- The Union of Agricultural Work Committee (UAWC) is identified by Fatah as an official “affiliate” and by USAID-engaged audit as the “agricultural arm” of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). UAWC is also highly active in promoting BDS campaigns and utilizing inflammatory rhetoric. For more information on UAWC’s PFLP ties, read NGO Monitor’s report “Union of Agricultural Work Committees Ties to the PFLP Terror Group.”
- In 2021-2025, the European Union is granting €3.4 million to Oxfam Novib for a project to “Build[] Economic Resilience in Gaza” with the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) and Ma’an Development Center.
- Abdel Shafi Community Health Association (ACHA) and Aisha Association for Women and Child Protection (Aisha)
- In 2023-2026, the European Union is granting €490,000 to the Abdel Shafi Community Health Association (ACHA), formerly known as the Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip (RCS4GS) and Aisha Association for Women and Child Protection (Aisha) for “Promoting Respect and Protection for the Right to Mental Health for Women and Adolescent Children with and Without Disabilities Affected by Conflict and At-Risk of Violence and Human Rights Violations in the Gaza Strip.” Previously, in 2020-2023, ACHA was an implementing partner on a €648,000 project on “Protection and respect of the rights of vulnerable women and girls with and without disabilities survivors of GBV in the Gaza Strip.”
- Members of Aisha’s board of directors, Taghreed Jomaa and Elias al-Jelda, have served as PFLP Central Committee members.
- For more information on Taghreed Jomaa’s PFLP ties, see NGO Monitor’s report, “Clear and Convincing: The Links between the PFLP and the European Government-funded NGO Network.”
- Al-Jelda has participated in several PFLP events, including the August 2021 commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the death of PFLP’s Secretary-General Abu Ali Mustafa. On January 27, 2019, he addressed a PFLP conference:, “The academic and cultural boycott movement against the occupation entity is notably and greatly expanding…in the path of strengthening the isolation of the racist Zionist enemy.”
- Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
- In 2023-2024, the EU is granting €475,000 to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) for “Promoting and Protecting Human Rights for Women, Men, Girls and Boys With and Without Disabilities Victims/Survivors of Human Rights Violations in the Gaza Strip for “Promoting and Protecting Human Rights for Women, Men, Girls and Boys With and Without Disabilities Victims/Survivors of Human Rights Violations in the Gaza Strip.”
- Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) is a leader in anti-Israel lawfare and BDS campaigns, ignores the existence of terrorism against Israeli civilians, and presents a distorted version of the conflict based only on the Palestinian narrative.
- PCHR has numerous links to the PFLP, and its general director, Raji Sourani, has been publicly honored by the terrorist organization. Notably, PCHR board member Jaber Wishah is a former commander of the PFLP’s Gaza operations. (For more information, read NGO Monitor’s “Palestinian Centre for Human Right’s Links to the PFLP Terror Group”.)
- Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-orchestrated atrocities, PCHR has led the “genocide” accusations against Israel and have intensified its lawfare campaigns in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Interantional Criminal Court (ICC). (For more information, see NGO Monitor report “FIDH and Its PFLP-Linked Member NGOs Lead ‘Genocide’ Accusation Against Israel.”)
- On October 7, 2023, PCHR Fundraising and Program Officer Feda’a Murjan posted on Facebook, “We will truly step in our land. Allah, you are our protector and supporter.”
- In November 2023, Switzerland (FDFA) announced it ended its funding to PCHR over breach of FDFA’s Code of Conduct. Swiss media, citing FDFA’s Head of communications, revealed that the reason for the end of the contractual relationship between FDFA and PCHR was the latter’s problematic attitudes towards violence.
- On May 13, 2023, in the context of the May 2023 conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), PCHR published a statement in which it “affirms the right of the Palestinian people to resist the occupation by all available means, including armed struggle, all the way to achieve their legitimate rights, end the occupation and establish their independent state” (emphasis added).
- Following pressure from European donors, PCHR altered the text to read: “to resist the occupation by all legitimate means in accordance with international law.”
- Applied Research Institute- Jerusalem (ARIJ) and Land Research Center (LRC)
- In 2020-2022, the EU authorized a €700,000 grant to the Applied Research Institute- Jerusalem (ARIJ) and Land Research Center (LRC) for a project titled “Assessing the impediments before the two-state solution” that aims at “Contributing to the conditions for a sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in preparation for sustainable peace through identifying/analysing the impediments that stands against engaging fruitful negotiations and exploring manners to which breakthroughs and ultimately peaceful solutions to the conflict may be reached.” Additionally, in 2023-2025, the EU authorized a €473,059 grant to LRC for “strengthening the role of the Palestinian civil society and the services to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law- Wijdan.” ARIJ, in partnership with LRC, have received EU grants since at least 1999.
- As part of the project, the NGOs launched an EU-funded website that features blatant propaganda and allegations such as “Throughout the years of occupation of the Palestinian territory, Israel has engaged in excessive and disproportionate violations of every existing humanitarian code” (emphasis added).
- In 2019, as part of this project, ARIJ and LRC released a “Daily Report” that included classic antisemitic attacks on the Talmud in its rhetoric used against Israel. The report claimed that “over 250 settlers, stormed an archaeological site in Al-Jib village…and performed Talmudic rituals” and accused Jews of performing “Talmudic rituals in celebration of Jewish holidays” and performing “Talmudic rituals in the town.”
- ARIJ is among the leaders of the political warfare against Israel, seeking to further BDS (boycotts, divestment and sanctions), false accusations of Israeli “apartheid” and “racism,” and support for a Palestinian “right of return” that is inconsistent with a two-state vision.
- The Land Research Center (LRC) publishes hateful conspiracy theories in its materials. In 2018, LRC published an infographic timeline on the occasion of the “70th commemoration of the Palestinian Nakba,” featuring antisemitic and conspiratorial motifs.
- In the infographic’s legend, a caricature of an Ultra-Orthodox Jew represents “settlement” and an arm wearing a Star of David grabbing the land represents “confiscation.”
- The timeline promotes the conspiracy theory that in the 1907 Campbell conference, “Great Britain planned Israel in 1907 in order to destroy the Arab nation.” LRC describes this conference as an attempt to “implant an alien body at the heart of the Arab world, aiming to create division and civil war.” This conspiracy theory is illustrated with a dagger ornamented with a Star of David.
- Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC)
- In 2020-2023, the EU authorized a €500,000 grant for a project titled “Qatari Mostaqubali (my decision is my future)” to “Build capacity, promote tolerance and increase access for activists, political leaders, media institutions and communities around conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes that are strategic and inclusive of currently disenfranchised women and youth.” One of the implementing partners of the project is the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC).
- In May 2017, WATC inaugurated a youth center for girls in the town of Burqa, near Nablus. As reported by Palestinian Media Watch, the center was named after Dalal Mughrabi, a terrorist who in 1978 murdered 37 civilians, including 12 children. Funding for this building was provided by Norway, UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women), and the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Local Government. Upon learning that the center had been named after a terrorist, the Norwegian government and the United Nations issued strong condemnations. Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende stated that “We have asked for the logo of the Norwegian representation office to be removed from the building immediately, and for the funding that has been allocated to the centre to be repaid.”
- Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights Association (Hurryyat)
- In 2023-2024, the EU is granting €473,358 to the Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights Association (Hurryyat), and Treatment & Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture for “Strengthening and Enhancing Rehabilitation, Prevention of Torture, and Accountability in Palestine”
- In a July 2023 letter addressed to members of the European Parliament, Hurryat wrote, “For seven decades, Israel has imposed an apartheid regime over the Palestinian people, which constitutes a tool of the broader settler-colonial regime. Israel’s permanent occupation is yet another extension of the settler-colonial apartheid regime.” Referring to Israeli sovereignty itself, Hurryat added, “These root causes must be dismantled before any sort of goodfaith negotiation can ever happen” (emphasis added). In the same letter, which took on a new light after the October 7th atrocities, Hurriyat also claimed that “by keeping democratically elected political parties on the EU terrorist list, the EU is perpetuating the denial of self-determination of the Palestinian people. Hamas needs to be removed from the terrorist list to ensure Palestinian internal cohesion and democracy” (emphasis added).
- Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC)
- In 2023-2025, the EU is granting €486,735 to Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC) for “Protecting the Right of Development for Palestinian Communities Through Advocacy and Support of Human Rights Defenders.”
- JLAC is highly active in promoting BDS campaigns, lobbying international bodies, and utilizing highly inflammatory rhetoric.
- Al Bustan
- In 2024-2027, the EU is granting €1,143,129 to Al Bustan Association Silwan (Al Bustan), Union of the Charitable Societies Jerusalem, and Women’s Center Althouri Silwan for a project titled ”civil society empowerment for social change in Jerusalem governorate: strengthening grassroots networks and partnerships.”
- In July 2019, NGO Monitor researchers discovered that various French government bodies were providing €400,000 to a youth program in Jerusalem. The point-person for the project, Daoud Ghoul, was convicted in 2015 of membership in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization. Following exposés in Israel media, Israeli government officials sent official protests to the French government. Within two weeks of NGO Monitor’s initial publication (July 7, 2019), the French government website removed its reference to Ghoul. Additionally, Al Bustan Association Silwan, the local NGO partner, removed most of the problematic Facebook content, notably, an Al Bustan-organized summer camp ceremony in which the children conducted a Mock Execution of “Palestine.” ( For more information, see NGO Monitor’s report, “French Government Supports Youth Project Involving Convicted PFLP member.”)
- MIFTAH
- In 2024-2026, the EU is granting €3.5 million to MIFTAH, Oxfam Ireland, and other NGOs worldwide for “recentering the civic internet through partner engagement (RECIPE).”
- Since the October 7 massacre, MIFTAH denied at multiple times the systematic rape of Israeli women on that day, referring to them as “Israeli allegations and misinformation, used to justify this genocide.”
International NGOs
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- In 2023-2027, the EU is granting €5 million to the Paris-based FIDH for “Supporting FIDH to empower member CSOs as actor of change for human rights.”
- Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-orchestrated massacre, FIDH, together with its Palestinian NGO members (Al-Haq, PCHR, and Al Mezan), has led the “genocide” accusations against Israel. For more information, see NGO Monitor report “FIDH and Its PFLP-Linked Member NGOs Lead “Genocide” Accusation Against Israel.”
- In October 2023, FIDH issued a press “condemn[ing] the escalation of violence and double standards.” In the press release, FIDH contextualized the massacre stating that “The cycle of violence is a predictable result of Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid regime that has lasted too long despite calls and warnings issued by human rights organizations and United Nations mechanisms. In a time marked by extreme tension, the radicalization of discourse and unconditional support to Israel, it is important to call for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire to protect the civilian populations, who are the main victims” (emphasis in original).
- In 2021-2024, the EU will grant €404,515 to the World Council of Churches (WCC) to “maintain[]a sustainable and lively Palestinian and Bedouin presence in East Jerusalem through protective presence, monitoring, documenting and advocacy.”7 Among other indicators, the EU’s grant language suggests that the project will be carried out by the WCC’s Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). It is unknown if the project, which had been postponed, will begin as scheduled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
- The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) was founded by the World Council of Churches (WCC). EAPPI sends volunteers to the West Bank to “witness life under occupation.” Upon completion of the program, the volunteers return to their home countries and churches where many engage in anti-Israel advocacy, including advocating for BDS campaigns in churches, comparing Israel to apartheid South Africa and Nazi Germany, and other delegitimization strategies.
- In 2023-2025, the European Union is granting €12.9 million to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) for two different projects in Gaza and the West Bank.
- The Information, Counseling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA), one of NRC’s principle projects in Israel, exploits judicial frameworks to manipulate Israeli policy, bypassing democratic frameworks.
- Included in ICLA’s program goals is “supporting the PA both locally and nationally on casework” and works with “other NRC core competences, West Bank Protection Consortium partners, and UN OCHA, as well as with local authorities and village councils.”
- As part of the ICLA program, NRC provides “legal assistance, including paralegal services, accompaniment, follow up or court representation in order to ensure the best possible individual legal protection outcomes” in “collaboration, coordination and partnership both internally within NRC and externally with NGO sector… and with the PA with a view to address some of the barriers to participation of the hard to reach population in ICLA response.”
- A lawyer affiliated with the NRC program stated that the objective of these cases are an attempt to “try every possible legal measure to disrupt the Israeli judicial system… as many cases as possible are registered and that as many cases as possible are appealed to increase the workload of the courts and the Supreme Court to such an extent that there will be a blockage” (emphasis added).
- According to its 2023 ICLA project response plan, “In 2023, NRC Information, Counselling and Legal aid team (ICLA) will target 17,583 Palestinians identified as affected by conflict-related violations and protection risks such as conflict-related violence, risk of forcible transfer, restrictions on freedom of movement and access to services, including livelihoods and settler violence.”
- NRC consistently advocates that Western donors prioritize access for humanitarian organizations over anti-terror considerations. As such, NRC Secretary-General Jan Egeland at a December 2020 conference organized by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: “Exemptions from counter-terrorism laws and sanctions regimes…We need blanket humanitarian exemptions.” He added, “We need you to champion that there will be no vetting of the ultimate beneficiaries of humanitarian relief.”
- The Information, Counseling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA), one of NRC’s principle projects in Israel, exploits judicial frameworks to manipulate Israeli policy, bypassing democratic frameworks.
- Euromed Feminist Initiative (EFI)
- In 2023-2026, the Euromed Feminist Initiative (EFI) is receiving €2.75 million from the EU.
- The Paris-based EuroMed Feminist Initiative describes itself as a “policy platform” seeking “an egalitarian and demilitarized world where respect of human rights of women and men is a leading value and practice and where the principle of non- discrimination – based on gender, sexual orientation, age, class, ethnicity, disabilities – is social rule and life.”
- Individuals who serve on EFI’s board and a number of EFI member organizations have published statements justifying and celebrating the October 7th attack, calling to annihilate Israel, denying Hamas atrocities, and promoting antisemitic imagery. Additionally, in multiple statements, EFI itself has labeled Israeli operations “tantamount to the destruction of the population of Gaza” and joined the propaganda campaign falsely claiming that “today Gaza (sic) population is facing a large-scale massacre and genocide.” For more information, read NGO Monitor’s report “Euromed Feminist Initiative’s board members celebrate October 7 Hamas Massacre.”
EU Funding to UN Mechanisms
World Food Program (WFP)
- In 2023-2025, the EU is granting €21 million to WFP for an “emergency assistance to people affected by the armed hostilities in the Gaza strip.”
- According to the UN Financial Tracking Service, this project appears to be part of the World Food Program’s Food Security Sector.
- According to documents published by the Food Security Sector, the Sector distributes funds and partners with NGOs, including UAWC, Ma’an Development Center, and Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC).
UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
- In 2022-2026, the European Union will grant €4 million to the FAO to “Strengthen the Resilience and Food and Nutrition Security of Vulnerable Agriculture-Based Livelihoods in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through An HDP Approach.”
- According to FOA, implementing partners include the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC).
- The Union of Agricultural Work Committee (UAWC) is identified by Fatah as an official “affiliate” and by USAID-engaged audit as the “agricultural arm” of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a terrorist organization designated as such by the US, EU, Canada, and Israel. (For more information on UAWC’s PFLP ties, read NGO Monitor’s report “Union of Agricultural Work Committees Ties to the PFLP Terror Group.”)
- Samer Arbid, UAWC’s accountant from 2016 until his arrest in 2019, was indicted on 21 counts in Israeli military court. According to Israeli security officials, he commanded a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terror cell that carried out a bombing against Israeli civilians, murdering 17-year old Rina Shnerb, and injuring her father and brother. According to the Israel Security Agency (Shabak), Arbid prepared and detonated the explosive device.
UN-OCHA
- In 2021-2023, the EU is providing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) with €600,000 for “Humanitarian Coordination and Advocacy in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
- OCHA oversees and facilitates government funding to highly biased and politicized NGOs, including a number that are highly active in promoting BDS and lawfare campaigns, and some even engage in blatantly antisemitic activities. Some of the NGOs also 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.
- OCHA-oPt activities are defined and coordinated by a Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), “a strategic and operational decision-making and oversight forum,” of which the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) is a member.
- PNGO is an umbrella organization comprising 142 Palestinian NGO member organizations, many of which support BDS campaigns and have ties to the PFLP terror group. In January 2020, PNGO vehemently opposed a new clause in European Union grant contracts with Palestinian NGOs that prohibits grantees from working with and funding organizations and individuals designated on the EU’s terror lists. PNGO claimed that Palestinian terrorist organizations are “political parties.”
- Multiple PNGO officials have ties to terrorist organizations, and at least five PNGO members have ties to EU-designated terror organizations, including through their employees and/or board members who are directly involved in activities and programs.
- PNGO is an umbrella organization comprising 142 Palestinian NGO member organizations, many of which support BDS campaigns and have ties to the PFLP terror group. In January 2020, PNGO vehemently opposed a new clause in European Union grant contracts with Palestinian NGOs that prohibits grantees from working with and funding organizations and individuals designated on the EU’s terror lists. PNGO claimed that Palestinian terrorist organizations are “political parties.”
- As opposed to other OCHA branches around the world, OCHA-oPt prioritizes one-sided political advocacy in place of traditional humanitarian assistance.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- In 2023, the EU provided UNDP with €1.5 million for “costed extension of SAWASYA II (promoting the rule of law in Palestine).”
- Since 2014, UNDP, UN Women, and UNICEF jointly run Sawasya, a program with the declared objective to “to strengthen the rule of law” in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. According to the program’s first phase (2014-2018) program document, Sawasya is implemented by several Palestinian governmental institutions, universities and 60 NGOs active in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
- Sawasya’s budget in 2014-2022 totaled $71 million ($30.5 million and $40.4 million respectively for the first and second phases). For that period, the program received governmental funding from the Netherlands ($33.7 million), Sweden (SIDA; $21.6 million), UK (DFID; $7.1 million in first phase), the EU ($4.9 million; second phase), and Spain (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID); $1.4 million during the second phase).
- Sawasya’s first phase documents reveal that implementing partners include several NGOs linked to the PFLP terror group: Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), Al-Haq, Defense for Children-Palestine (DCI-P), Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), Al-Mezan, Al-Dameer, Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem (CCPRJ), Association for Woman and Child Protection (Aisha). PCHR, DCI-P, Al Mezan, and AISHA were listed as partners for the second phase.
- EU Funding to Palestinian NGOs
Grant | Description/Objectives | Amount | NGO Partners | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
CIVIL SOCIETY EMPOWERMENT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE IN JERUSALEM GOVERNORATE: STRENGTHENING GRASSROOTS NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS | €1.143,129 | UNION OF THE CHARITABLE SOCIETIES JERUSALEM, AL BUSTAN ASSOCIATION SILWAN, WOMEN'S CENTER ALTHOURI SILWAN | 2024-2027 | |
STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF THE PALESTINIAN CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE SERVICES TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW- WIJDAN | €473,059 | Land Research Center, THE PSYCHO SOCIAL COUNSELLNG CENTER FOR WOMEN ASSOCIATION | 2023-2025 | |
ENGAGE: MEDIA AND CSOS COLLECTIVE FOR FREEDOMS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | €841,469 | FILASTINIYAT, AL-QUDS UNIVERSITY | 2024-2027 | |
RECENTERING THE CIVIC INTERNET THROUGH PARTNER ENGAGEMENT (RECIPE) | €3.5 million | Oxfam Ireland, MIFTAH (amount earmarked unknown), and other NGOs worldwide | 2024-2026 | |
"Promoting and Protecting Human Rights for Women, Men, Girls and Boys With and Without Disabilities Victims/Survivors of Human Rights Violations in the Gaza Strip" | €475,000 | Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) | 2023-2024 | |
"Promoting Respect and Protection for the Right to Mental Health for Women and Adolescent Children with and Without Disabilities Affected by Conflict and At-Risk of Violence and Human Rights Violations in the Gaza Strip" | €490,000 | Aisha Association for Women and Child Protection (Aisha) and Abdel Shafi Community Health Association (ACHA) | 2023-2026 | |
"ENTRECOMP4YOUTH - Improve the Resilience of Jordanian and Palestinian Youth By Implementing the Entrecomp Framework in Youth Work Organisations" | €288,000 | Sharek Youth Forum, Bantani Education (Belgium), CINOP BV (the Netherlands), Jordan River Foundation | 2023-2025 | |
“SHORAKA Enabling the Environment of CSPs in Palestine and Participation of Grassroots Organisations in Decisions Making Process and Constituency Building” | “To advance the role of the Palestinian civil society and the Palestinian grassroots in the policy shaping and in decision- making processes at the local and EU/EUMS levels” | €1.250,000 | Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) | 2021-2024 |
“Joint Action for Health-Promoting and Protecting Adequate Medical Care and Right to Health of Referral Patients, Prisoners, And Poor Persons In The OPt” | “To promote and protect access to adequate medical care and right to health of referral patients, prisoners, and poor persons in the oPt” | €375,000 | Al Mezan and Physicians for Human Rights - Israel | 2022-2023 |
“Respect and Protection of the Rights to Mental Health for Women, Men, Girls and Boys with and Without Disabilities Victims/Survivors of Human Rights Violations in the Gaza Strip” | “To promote respect and protection of right to health through human rights-based approach (HRBA) to provide inclusive, integrated, and specialized community mental health services to direct victims of human rights violations including boys, girls, women and men with and without disabilities guided by the principles of International humanitarian law (IHL) and International human rights law (IHRL) in the Gaza strip” | €355,775 | Gaza Community Mental Health Programme; Women's Affairs Center Gaza | 2022-2023 |
“Cultural Rights for Inclusive and Equitable Palestinian Development Process” | “To place culture and cultural rights at the heart of Palestinian development policies to ensure citizens centred, inclusive and equitable development process through enabling cultural and touristic community based organizations, clusters, networks and community based organizations, to participate as advocates for the implementation of the ratified Economic Social and Cultural Rights convention and 2030 SDGs” | €998,419 | Pal Vision; Rozana Association for the development of Architectural Heritage; Youth without Borders Forum | 2021-2024 |
"SANCUS: strengthening accountability networks among civil society" | €5 million | AMAN-Transparency Palestine with another four NGOs | 2021-2023 | |
"Gender equality in the economic sphere: our right, our priority" | €755,770 | Democracy and Workers Rights Center Association | 2020-2023 | |
"Protective environment from hate speech and supportive for the freedom of expression in Gaza strip and west bank" | €450,768 | Filastiniyat and Palestinian Center For Democracy And Conflict Resolution | 2020-2023 | |
"Safeguarding Palestinians living in east Jerusalem lives and their livelihoods " | "Enhance economic empowerment and increase prosperity for Businesses and projects affected by COVID-19 in East Jerusalem." | €1.1 million | Palestinian Medical Relief Society association (PMRS), Palestinian Vision Organisation, Maa'n Development Center, Treatment & Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture | 2020-2022 |
"Thematic programme civil society organizations as actors of governance and development work in the field " | €411,281 | AMAN-Transparency Palestine with another, Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling (WCLAC) | 2021-2023 | |
€320,109 | ||||
"Civil society for dignity" | €832,949 | Palestinian Centre For Peace And Democracy and Palestinian Center For Rapprochement Between People, Pax (Netherlands) | 2021-2023 | |
"Public information campaign for EU aid to Palestine" | €288,000 | Safad advertising private stock" | 2020-2022 | |
"personal advisor to the minister of national economy, & coordinator of private sector development sector working group and European development partners " | €199,600 | Jehad Atyani | 2020-2022 | |
"EU caravan tour in Palestine" | €289,500 | Impact Services And Public Relation | 2020-2022 | |
"Public events promoting EU support to east Jerusalem, Area C, and water sector" | €174,500 | Impact Services And Public Relation | 2020-2022 | |
"Gender equality in the economic sphere: our right, our priority" | €755,770 | Democracy And Workers Rights Center Association | 2020-2023 | |
"SAWT Supporting Arab Women at The Table: women as actors in peace processes " | €46,021 | Culture And Free Thought Association | 2020-2023 | |
"logistical support for engagement with EU partners in Palestine " | €150,000 | AMANI TOURS PRIVATE | 2020-2022 | |
“East Jerusalem youth: agents of change” | “The specific objectives of the action provides [sic] innovative youth -friendly and safe platforms, which are instrumental to their ability to represent and reflect youth visions in addressing EJ issues and IHL -IHRL breaches in EJ and the rest of the oPt. As well as targeted community members are mobilized to participate and contribute to fulfil their economic, political, cultural and social rights.” | €4,987,500 | Palestinian Vision (PalVision, or “Ruya”); Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil; The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA); Afkar Production Company; DanChurchAid | 2019-2022 |
“Promotion of inclusive agricultural growth to ensure improved living standards and resilience of vulnerable communities in Area C of the West Bank” | “Contribute to resilient and inclusive agricultural growth that improves the living standards of women and men farmers in Area C of the West Bank. Specific objective: Increase the income of small-scale women and men farmers and the protection and the use of their lands in Area C through upgraded capacities, improved land and water management practices and policies.” | €3.8 million | Oxfam Solidarité; Rural Women's Development Society; Palestinian Farmers Union; Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC) | 2019-2022 |
“Connecting the dots: research and policy making on economic development, security and migration in the southern neighborhood and beyond” | “The main objective of the project is to contribute to increased awareness, as well as regional and national evidence-based policy making on priority areas of the ENP South (economic development, security and migration). The project aims to achieve this through the accomplishment of its specific objectives, which is to stimulate research-policy dialogues on ENP priority areas through tailor made evidence-based research, enhanced multi-stakeholders cooperation, increased research capacities, and holistic outreach and dissemination.” | €2.5 million | PALThink for Strategic Studies and 12 other foreign recipients | 2020-2024 |
“Community-led action for protection and resilience of children and youth affected by conflict and rights violations” | “Community-led action for protection and resilience of children and youth affected by conflict and rights violations” | €2,441,589 | Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCI-P); Ma’an Develoment Center; YMCA; Rädda Barnen | 2019-2021 |
“Protection of marginalized communities in East Jerusalem through legal aid, planning, and advocacy” | “To support the marginalized Palestinian communities of East Jerusalem, increase their resilience, prevent forcible transfer and reinforce the Palestinian identity of East Jerusalem. Specific objectives: 1. To challenge the Israeli policies targeting the marginalized Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem, reduce their impact, and empower those targeted communities through legal aid and advocacy 2. To document, challenge and ultimately transform Israeli policies and me [sic].” | €2,086,757 | Society of St. Yves; Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC); Land Research Center (LRC); Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling (WCLAC); Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem (CCPRJ) | 2020-2022 |
“Talim lil-Jamia: inclusive education intervention for east Jerusalem children” | “Contribute to preserve the Palestinian identity of occupied East Jerusalem. While promoting equity and inclusion adopting a rights-based approach, thus addressing the needs of Palestinian students and the overall young community of East Jerusalem (EJ), the project intends to contribute to improve the educational offer provided by the Awqaf system of EJ thus promoting its role as one of the main pillars to protect the Palestinian identity of EJ. The contribution to the [sic].” | €1,897,650 | Jerusalem Autistic Child Care Organization; Terre des Hommes Italy | 2019-2022 |
“Supporting resilience through dialogue” | “Supporting resilience through dialogue” | €1,308,411 | Masarat - The Palestinian Center for Policy Research & Strategic Studies; Crisis Management Initiative | 2019-2021 |
“Protecting Islamic and Christian cultural heritage in Jerusalem” | “To contribute to preserving the Palestinian character and cultural heritage of East Jerusalem (EJ) by strengthening the Palestinian identity and enhancing the sense of belonging among Palestinians. SO1: To protect Islamic and Christian Waqf religious and cultural heritage properties against Israeli violations and threats. SO2: To enhance Palestinians [sic] ability to identify and value their cultural heritage and have a good understanding of what can be done to protect their cultural heritage.” | €1,184,538 | PalVision; Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs (PASSIA); ACT For Alternative Dispute Resolution And Studies | 2019-2022 |
“Lawyers' community development in the west bank and the Gaza strip” | “The overall goal is to consolidate training and service delivery for lawyers in a harmonised manner for both West Bank and Gaza Strip and the specific objectives are: i) To consolidate and extend harmonised training programmes for young lawyers across the West Bank and Gaza; ii) To reinforce institutional cohesion by enhancing PBA's management system; iii) To develop communication tools and standards ensuring equal dissemination of legal information.” | €999,814 | Palestinian Bar Association | 2019-2021 |
“Assessing the impediments before the two-state solution” | “Contributing to the conditions for a sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in preparation for sustainable peace through identifying/analysing the impediments that stands against engaging fruitful negotiations and exploring manners to which breakthroughs and ultimately peaceful solutions to the conflict may be reached.” | €700,000 | Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ); LRC | 2020-2022 |
“Towards better promotion and protection of human rights in Area C and Gaza strip.” | “The Palestinian Civil Society Organizations in Southern West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza contribute in enhancing just and fair access to and control over water resources in accordance with international human rights treaties and conventions.” | €649,998 | ARIJ; Palestinian Child's Club - Youth Development Resource Center; Women Media and Development (TAM) | 2020-2023 |
“Protection and respect of the rights of vulnerable women and girls with and without disabilities survivors of GBV in the Gaza strip.” | “To promote protection and respect of the rights of vulnerable women and girls with and without disabilities survivors of GBV based on IHL and IHRL.” | €648,000 | Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip (RCS4GS); Qatar Red Crescent; Women's Affairs Center Gaza | 2020-2023 |
“Building an infrastructure for peace and reconciliation.” | “To promote the conditions for a negotiated settlement of the conflict and to maintain the viability of the Two-State Solution.” | €628,319 | Palestinian Peace Coalition Geneva Initiative; H.L. Education for Peace | 2020-2023 |
“Secure Palestinian Land And Housing Rights (SPLHR).” | “To contribute to the resilience, steadfastness and promotion of basic human rights of Palestinians in the West Bank SO: By 2023, improved access of vulnerable communities in (Tubas, Jericho and Ramallah) to legal assistance essential for defending land and housing rights” | €611,368 | LRC; Society of St. Yves | 2020-2023 |
“Working together as agents for change: towards the protection and promotion of women's human rights” | “Contribute to the promotion and protection of women human rights in the Palestinian society through the development of a national conducive legal environment and enhancement of the international accountability towards higher protection of Palestinian women. Specific Objectives: 1. Increased capacity of CBOs and their communities in Area C and the Seam zone to engage in favor of womens [sic] rights and to provide a platform for the promotion of access to justice for women- victims.” | €578,442 | Miftah; WCLAC | 2020-2023 |
€38,634 | ||||
“From dialogue to action: cross-border cooperation as a means to peacebuilding” | “The project aims at contributing to a sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by empowering Palestinians and Israelis to work together to improve the lives of West Bank Palestinians and promoting cross-border cooperation. Through this action, the partners aim to create groups of people who will utilize new skills to implement tangible socio-environmental change and pursue policy transformations at the local and national level.” | €544,353 | Holy Land Trust; Dead Sea and Arava Science Center | 2020-2022 |
“Qatari Mostaqubali (my decision is my future)” | “Build capacity, promote tolerance and increase access for activists, political leaders, media institutions and communities around conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes that are strategic and inclusive of currently disenfranchised women and youth.” | €500,000 | Women's Affairs Technical Committee (WATC); Assistance to Women and Girls against Violence; Care Norge | 2020-2023 |
“CEDAW implementation in Jerusalem” | “To enhance the protection of Palestinian women's rights living under occupation in EJ. This comes within the framework of the limited implementation of CEDAW in Jerusalem, and lack of protection measures for Palestinian women living in Jerusalem where ambiguity prevails in concern to the responsible party to ensure the implementation of CEDAW. This comprises on protection of women and girls and enjoyment of basic rights in Jerusalem.” | €279,895 | Miftah; Kayan-Feminist Organization | 2020-2023 |
€186,000 | ||||
ADVANCING CLIMATE RESILIENCE: AREA C SOLAR POWER FOR GAZA AND WEST BANK AND REGIONAL WATER SECURITY | €498,578 | ECO PALESTINE CHARITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER PROJECTS SOCIETY | 2023-2025 | |
SUPPORT TO THE CENTRAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION (CEC) TO ENABLE EFFICIENT AND INCLUSIVE ELECTORAL PROCESSES IN PALESTINE | €1 million | CENTRAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION | 2023-2025 | |
FAIR GAME: THEATRE OF THE OPPRESSED FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT | €38,295 | ROLES FOR SOCIAL CHANGE ASSOCIATION | 2024-2025 | |
PARTNERS FOR EQUITY, PARTNERS FOR CHANGE | €760,491 | DEMOCRACY AND WORKERS RIGHTS CENTER ASSOCIATION; THE NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION | 2024-2028 | |
INCLUSIVENISSA¿: REINFORCEMENT OF THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ROLE OF WOMEN THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF THEIR FINANCIAL INCLUSION | €98,888 | UNION OF COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION FOR SAVING AND CREDIT | 2024-2027 |
EU Funding to Israeli NGOs
Grant | Description/Objectives | Amount | NGO partners | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
"Digital Empowerment of Civil Society Organizations Project" | €190,000 | 7amleh | 2022 | |
"Community Resilience in a Coercive Environment: The Threat Posed by Israeli Shepherding Outposts to Palestinian Rights and Communities" | "This project seeks to contribute to the protection of the Human Rights of Palestinian communities suffering from the coercive environment created by Israeli ‘shepherding outposts’. This will be achieved by strengthening accountability for Israeli civilians and law enforcement, as well as local and international duty-bearers, in line with democratic standards and international humanitarian and Human Rights law" | €360,000 | Yesh Din and Physicians for Human Rights - Israel | 2023-2025 |
"Always Watching: Protecting Human Rights in the Digital Age" | "The project aims to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms violated by Israeli state actors' use of digital surveillance. This will be done by creating a public and legal environment protective of Human Rights in the face of current and future risks posed by surveillance technology (ST).” | €400,000 | Breaking the Silence and Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) | 2023-2024 |
“Influence: Normalizing Human Rights and Democracy through Popular Culture” | “This project seeks to improve the public perceptions of Human Rights (HR) and Democracy (D) in Israel and to normalize the rights-based public discourse.” | €400,000 | IDEA - The Center for Liberal Democracy and Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) | 2023-2024 |
“United for Human Rights - Raising Awareness on Human Rights by Tackling Police Violence against Marginalized Groups in Israel” | “This project seeks to increase resident and citizens’ support for greater accountability of the State of Israel for the fulfilment of Human Rights.” | €253,551 | Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), Akevot, Zulat | 2023-2024 |
“Right to Work: Upholding the Rights of Gazan and West Bank Palestinians to Work in Israel and Benefit from the Equal Protection of Israeli Labour Law” | “This project seeks to protect the rights of Gazan and West Bank Palestinians who are trying to access the Israeli labour market or employed in Israel, as guaranteed by Israeli labour law and Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” | €400,000 | Kav Laover, Gisha, Center for Advancement of Peace Initiatives | 2023-2025 |
“Advancing Equitable Planning in East Jerusalem: Righting Longstanding Discrimination by Leveraging New Opportunities” | “To contribute to the protection of Human Rights and International Human Rights in occupied East Jerusalem (EJ), by holding Israel accountable for the planning and construction rights of residents in EJ neighbourhoods, and promoting recognition and implementation of appropriate planning.” | €399,859 | Bimkom and Ir Amim | 2021-2024 |
“Educating for Change: Reinforcing Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in The Occupied Palestinian Territory Through Sector Wide Human Rights Education” | “To contribute toward increased accountability of Israeli DBs to reinforce HR and IHL in the oPt” | €300,000 | Breaking the Silence; Combatants for Peace; Ir Amim | 2022-2023 |
“Inciting Peace - Learning to Build Trust Between Israeli and Palestinian Youth” | “To contribute toward increased accountability of Israeli DBs to reinforce HR and IHL in the oPt” | €460,000 | Combatants for Peace | 2022-2023 |
“Young Campaign Organizers for Promoting the Two-State Agenda and Broadening the Peace Camp” | €638,458 | Peace Now | 2022-2024 | |
“Trans Rights, From Invisibility to The Center of Israel's Democracy and Human Rights Debate” | €400,000 | Ma'avarim la Keshet Ha'transit; The Association for Civil Rights in Israel; Transgenders for Social Justice | 2022-2024 | |
"Addressing climate change through cooperation between key municipal sectors: business, local government, the public and civil society" | €688,000 | 2B Friendly- Social and Environmental Consumerism, Hatikva Association for the Promotion of Art and Culture, The Natural Step Israel, Zalul Association for Environmental Quality and Preservation Of The Red Sea | 2021-2023 | |
"Enhanced civil society engagement with local authorities to promote the protection of Arab Bedouin women in the Naqab/Negev " | €645,000 | AD'AR Forum of Professionals to Oppose Women Murder Crimes, I'LAM - Arab Center for Media Freedom Development and Research, Sidreh | 2021-2023 | |
"Increasing the role of marginalised women in gender-sensitive spatial planning and development " | €517,970 | Bimkom, Sidreh, The Israeli Association for Distributive Justice | 2020-2023 | |
"Dialogue and identity: nurturing a tolerant Jewish and Arab culture within a divided society " | €718,464 | Rossing Center For Education And Dialogue, Tali Education Fund | 2020-2023 | |
“'Unblocking the future': cultivating a culture of trust among Israelis and Palestinians” | “A negotiated solution to the conflict remains viable thanks to the positive engagement and professional cooperation of Palestinians and Israelis enhancing health, particularly women's health and mental health.” | €680,227 | Physicians for Human Rights Israel; The Seventh Eye; Gaza Community Mental Health Programme | 2020-2022 |
“Closing the confidence gap: restoring the viability of the two state solution.” | “To promote conditions for a negotiated settlement of the conflict based on the two-state solution, by shifting prevailing attitudes and stances of a key constituency in Israeli society partition sceptics.” | €600,000 | Molad | 2020-2022 |
“Democratizing Israeli democracy: accountable, transparent, inclusive and participatory governance, and respect for human rights in Israel.” | “To enhance the democratic foundations of Israel through accountable, transparent, inclusive and participatory governance, and respect for human rights. SO1: To ensure national institutions, laws and policies comply with the rule of law, human rights, equality, and respect for and protection of minorities. SO2: To strengthen capacities of human rights defenders, activists and media actors to access information, organize and advocate policy change and obtain redress.” | €299,988 | Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI); Human Rights Defenders Fund (HRDF); Movement for Freedom of Information | 2020-2022 |
“A symbiotic relationship in the west bank: holding Israeli authorities accountable for settler violence.” | “To increase duty bearer accountability by providing strategic and objective information and analysis on settler violence to key stakeholders in order to act to increase respect for HR and IHL.” | €299,988 | B'Tselem; Breaking the Silence (BtS) | 2020-2021 |
“Decision 3790: maximising its opportunities and countering its harmful effects to realise socioeconomic rights in East Jerusalem.” | “To hold Israel as the occupying power accountable to respect, protect and fulfil the socioeconomic rights of the Palestinian population in East Jerusalem (EJ).Specific objectives: : To maximise implementation by Israeli duty bearers of Government Decision 3790 for Narrowing Socioeconomic Gaps and Promoting Economic Development in East Jerusalem in a transparent, non-discriminatory and fair manner for the benefit of all EJ residents, in and beyond the Separation Barrier.” | €299,977 | Ir Amim; Workers Advice Center | 2020-2022 |
“Dignity in work: upholding labour rights for Palestinian workers employed in Israel” | “The overall objective of the Action is to promote and ensure the fair and dignified employment of Palestinian workers in Israel by upholding their labour rights as guaranteed by Israeli labour law and Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Specific Objective 1: Identify and address rights violations on an individual and systematic level through legal action and advocacy. Specific Objective 2: Raise awareness and build capacity among Palestinian workers employed in Israel to [sic]” | €298,514 | ACRI; Kav Laoved | 2019-2022 |
“Safeguarding the indigenous heritage in public spaces” | “To combat discrimination against the Arab communities in the public space of Israel, to demand the historical heritage rights of minority groups in Israel, and to foster an Israeli historical landscape that fully represents its multifaceted heritage.” | €292,091 | Emek Shaveh; The Arab Culture Association | 2020-2022 |
“Protection from violence as a basic human right: enlisting state responsibility in the struggle against violence against women and girls” | “To secure the commitment of the State of Israel to a comprehensive program of eliminating violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Israel.” | €297,790 | Assistance to Women and Girls Against Violence; Moasat Hadanet Alnasra – Nazareth Nurseries Association; The Israel Women's Network | 2020-2022 |
“Safe communities: Jewish-Arab mixed cities” | - | €290,586 | The Abraham Initiatives | 2020-2021 |
€9,410 |
EU Funding to International NGOs for Projects in Israel and the West Bank
Grant | Description/Objectives | Amount | NGO Beneficiaries of Concern | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
INTEGRATED HUMANITARIAN AND PROTECTION RESPONSE TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION IN GAZA AND REDUCE RISKS FROM CONFLICT, VIOLENCE AND DISASTERS.” | €10.4 million | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2023-2025 | |
ENSURE SAFE AND PROTECTIVE ACCESS TO LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE AND CONFLICT-AFFECTED CHILDREN IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP | €2.5 million | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2023-2025 | |
“Prevention of the Forcible Transfer of Palestinians in the West Bank, Including East Jerusalem, Through Humanitarian Assistance and Evidence-Based Advocacy” | €6.444,000 | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2022 | |
“Humanitarian Response to the Most Vulnerable Population Affected by Extreme Poverty, Humanitarian Crisis, and Violations of IHL/IHRL in the Gaza Strip” | €5,000,000 | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2022 | |
“Challenging Aid Obstruction and Shrinking Space in The Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt)” | €249,390 | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2022 | |
“Safe and Inclusion Learning Opportunities For the Most Conflict Affected Children in the West Bank and Gaza” | €2.1 million | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2022 | |
"Prevention of the forcible transfer of Palestinians in the west bank and east Jerusalem through humanitarian assistance and evidence-based advocacy" | €3.3 million | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2020 | |
€700,000 | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2020 | ||
€384,000 | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2020 | ||
€192,000 | Norwegian Refugee Council | 2020 | ||
Humanitarian response to the most vulnerable population affected by extreme poverty, humanitarian crisis, and violation of basic rights including IHL/IHRL in the Gaza strip. | €3.5 million | Norwegian Refugee Council | From 2020 | |
"Maintaining a sustainable and lively Palestinian and Bedouin presence in east Jerusalem through protective presence, monitoring, documenting and advocacy." | “The overall objective is to offer protectivepresence to Palestinians in East-Jerusalem – including Bedouins in the El area, to monitor,document and report human rights abuses and violations of IHL and seek changes in theinternational communitys [sic] involvement through advocacy.” | €1.1 million | World Council Of Churches and International Christian Committee Near East Council Of Churches Committee For Refugee Works Association | 2021-2024 |
“Building Economic Resilience for Gaza” | “The overall objective is to Contribute to resilient, inclusive and sustainable economic development in the Gaza Strip. The specific objective is to Strengthen and advance systemic economic resilience at the household, community and institutional levels and create an enabling environment that withstands, recovers and reconstructs in the face of recurring vulnerabilities and shocks in Gaza” | €3.350,000 | Agricultural Development Association; Aisha Association for Women and child Protection; Union of Agricultural Work Committees; Ma’an Development Center; Stichting Oxfam Novib | 2021-2025 |
ADDRESS THE BASIC HUMANITARIAN NEEDS AND ENHANCE THE PROTECTION CONDITIONS OF VULNERABLE, UNDERSERVED, AND CRISES AFFECTED HHS IN THE GAZA STRIP AND PROMOTE THE TRIPLE NEXUS APPROACH | €1.3 million | Oxfam Novib | 2022-2024 | |
“Address the Basic Needs of Most Vulnerable Communities Affected by the Protracted Humanitarian and Covid-19 Crisis in the Gaza Strip | €1 million | Oxfam Novib | 2021-2023 | |
“Adolescents and Youth (AYS) For Green: Gaza Resilient Economy and Environment” | “Overall objective: Improve inclusive and sustainable economic development conditions for Adolescents and Youth (AYs) in Gaza strip” | €3,295,308 | Save the Children International; Save the Children Italia; Save Youth Future Society; We World-GVC; Institute for International Links and Services for Local Economic Development Agencies | 2021-2024 |
“Supporting Wash Services to Ensure Continuity of Health Care during Pandemics and Emergencies, as well as the Repair of Community Wash Infrastructure Damaged during the Conflict, while Strengthening the Impact of the Cash Working Group in the Gaza Strip” | €2.5 million | Action contre la Faim Spain | 2021-2023 | |
“Upholding Children's Right to Education in oPt, a Comprehensive Approach to Promote Inclusion, Quality, Equity, Safety and Access to Education for Children in Marginalised Communities in Gaza” | €375,000 | Stichting War Child; Save Youth Future Society | 2022-2023 | |
MULTI-SECTORAL RESPONSE TO MITIGATE PROTECTION RISKS AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO WASH IN HEALTH AND WASH SERVICES IN GAZA WHILE SUPPORTING THE NCWG | €2 million | Action contre la Faim (Spain) | 2023-2025 | |
"Humanitarian response to restore access to wash services and dignified health care conditions for most affected communities in the Gaza strip." | €800,000 | Action contre la Faim (Spain) | From 2020 | |
"Reducing barriers to quality and protective education services for out of school girls and boys in the Gaza strip" | €900,000 | Save The Children (Norway) | From 2020 | |
SAFE ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE AND DIGNIFIED EDUCATION IN AREAS B AND C- WEST BANK | €300,000 | World Vision (Germany) | 2022-2024 | |
"Safe access to schools and psycho-social support services in West Bank (areas c and h2)" | €500,000 | World Vision (Germany) | From 2020 | |
"Enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities through efficient water solutions and addressing climate change in the eastern area of khan youngish in the Gaza strip." | €1 million | Oxfam Novib and Palestinian Environmental Friends Association | 2020-2023 | |
"Gaza h2.0: innovation and water efficiency." | €1 million | WE WORLD-GVC (Italy) and Palestinian Hydrology Group For Water & Environmental Resources Development | 2020-2023 | |
"Stories of Palestine - Palestinian communities promote their culture" | €500,000 | Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband, Dar Al Kalima University College Of Arts And Culture | 2020-2023 | |
REINFORCE THE PROTECTION OF THE PALESTINIAN INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY POTENTIALLY TRAUMATIC OCCUPATION RELATED EVENTS, THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACROSS THE WEST BANK | €800,000 | Médecins du Monde | 2023-2025 | |
SUPPORTING FIDH TO EMPOWER MEMBER CSOS AS ACTOR OF CHANGE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS | One objective of the project: “Member CSOs have improved access to reactive and solidarity support in a context of shrinking civic space” | €5 million | FIDH | 2023-2027 |
EU Funding to the United Nations
Grant | Amount | UN Mechanism | Years |
---|---|---|---|
“Strengthen the Resilience and Food and Nutrition Security of Vulnerable Agriculture-Based Livelihoods in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through An HDP Approach” | €4 million | FAO | 2022-2026 |
“HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION TO REDUCE EXPLOSIVE RISK FACED BY CIVILIANS IN PALESTINE” | € 3 million | UNMAS | 2022-2023 |
“Youth Leads: Youth Political and Civic Participation in Palestine” | €1.4 million | United Nations Population Fund | 2021-2024 |
“Improved Emergency Preparedness, Response and Humanitarian Advocacy for Health for The Most Vulnerable In oPt” | €1.3 million | World Health Organization | 2021-2023 |
“Emergency Response to Population Affected by the Gaza Strip Hostilities” | €3 million | World Food Programme | 2021-2023 |
“Humanitarian Coordination and Advocacy in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” | €600,000 | UNOCHA | 2021-2023 |
“Provision of Quality Education in Safe Protected Learning Environments Free from Violence For Affected Children in Need Of Humanitarian Assistance Through Improved Coordination On Education In Emergencies, Response And Evidence-Based Advocacy In Gaza And the West Bank, including East Jerusalem” | €1.1 million | UNICEF | 2021-2025 |
“SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN EAST JERUSALEM” | €1 million | UNICEF | 2021-2024 |
“SAWASYA II - Promoting the Rule of Law in Palestine” | €3 million | United Nations Development Programme | 2021-2023 |
“QUDSI R4R - Quality Urban Development and Sustainable Interventions For JerusalemS Old City. Rehabilitation for Revitalization” | €7 million | United Nations Human Settlements Programme | 2022-2027 |
Footnotes
- The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is “a thematic funding instrument for EU external action aiming to support projects in the area of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy in non-EU countries. This instrument is designed to support civil society to become an effective force for political reform and defence of human rights.” EIDHR has a budget of €1.3 billion for 2014-2020.
- The Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) “funds activities in the areas of crisis response, conflict prevention, peacebuilding and crisis preparedness, and response to global, trans-regional and emerging threats. The instrument’s activities are implemented in partner countries around the world, in conflict zones, in post-conflict environments and in emerging crisis settings.”
- Formerly known as the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI), the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) is the main instrument to foster “human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, equality, sustainable democracy, good governance and a thriving civil society,” among other goals. ENI has a budget of over €15 billion for 2014-2020 and operates in 16 partner countries.
- DCI’s “prime objective is the reduction of poverty. It contributes also to the achievement of other goals of EU external action, in particular fostering sustainable economic, social and environmental development as well as promoting democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights.” DCI has a budget of €19.6 billion for 2014-2020.
- This clarification by the European Commission President’s office followed a letter sent by NGO Monitor regarding a new EU anti-terror clause and demonstrating that there are direct connections between “natural persons” employed by or serving on the boards of some of EU-funded NGOs and the PFLP terror organization. (Read NGO Monitor’s report “EU Funding to Terror-Linked Palestinian NGOs Since 2011”).
- In a May 2024 interview, Al Mezan director Issam Younis declared:
- “I am of the opinion that even if this decision to request arrest warrants against Sinwar, Deif, and Haniyeh is unacceptable to some Palestinians, this is an opportunity for any defendant to stand before the court, defend their narrative, put things into context, and present evidence. In the end, even if warrants are issued, those charged are still innocent until proven otherwise.”
- “I am against the idea that the problem of Palestinians is that they don’t have a state. In fact, the Palestinian people seek the right to self-determination so that we can decide our fate. Maybe we don’t want a state?”
- Despite the reference to “Bedouin presence in East Jerusalem” in the project’s title, other details about the grant indicate that the Bedouin are located in the E1 area of the West Bank.
All Articles about European Union
Further Reading
- The EU, Terror-Funding and Israel's Transparency Bill Ron Jontof-Hutter, The Algemeiner, August 17, 2016
- Letter from 4 German Members of the European Parliament regarding the proposed NGO Law
- MEPs Send an Open Letter on Israeli Government NGO Bill Julie Ward MEP
- Letter to PM Netanyahu from German-Israeli Parliamentary Friendship Group on NGO Law
- John Gatt-Rutter and the EU´s Middle East Fantasies Gerald steinberg, BlogActiv, August 30, 2015
- Europe´s NGO Jihad Against Israel Susan Warner, Gatestone Institute, August 27, 2015
- Kidnapped Israeli Teens Compel Scrutiny of Hamas's International Finances Matthew Levitt, The New Republic, June 24, 2014
- Europe's Unaccountable Palestinian Aid Michael Theurer, The Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2014
- Foreign Diplomats, Mainly European, Participate in Popular Resistance Activities in Judea and Samaria The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, October 30, 2013