NGO Monitor: Watching the Watchers
This mailing features three recent publications by NGO Monitor’s Executive Director, Professor Gerald Steinberg –
1) “For State Department, Reliance on NGOs Saps Report’s Credibility” (Jewish Telegraphic Agency);
2) "Watching the Watchers: Part Two" (oped in the New York Sun); and
3) "Manipulating Civil Society” (oped in the Jerusalem Post). We welcome any feedback, and encourage you to forward these articles to others who might be interested.
In addition, below are details of Professor Steinberg’s forthcoming talk at Yale University on April 26, 2007. Click here for more information.
I. “For State Department, Reliance on NGOs Saps Report’s Credibility”
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, March 22, 2007
“…The main reason [for the credibility deficit] is the almost total reliance on allegations made by the large number of non-governmental organizations active in this conflict zone. Instead of doing their own research on these complex human rights issues, the authors of this report in the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem (on the Palestinians) and in the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv (on Israeli actions) parrot the claims of highly political NGOs. Groups such as Adalah, Mossawa, HaMoked, B’Tselem, the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), and Human Rights Watch are the real authors of this chapter. With the exception of HRW, these NGOs are funded by European governments, radical church groups and similar donors.”
Click here to read the article.
II. “Watching the Watchers: Part Two”
The New York Sun, March 20, 2007
“Human Rights Watch is a powerful nongovernmental organization, whose reports, press releases, and submissions to the United Nations carry a great deal of weight. In the 1970s, HRW made its mark by leading campaigns to free political prisoners in the Soviet Union and elsewhere.
But after the Cold War, this organization, which has an annual budget of over $50 million, seems to have lost its way. Its strident reports and condemnations of America and Israel have led to growing criticism, including questions regarding the accuracy of HRW’s reports, and the use of human rights rhetoric to pursue a radical political agenda aimed at democracies.”
Click here to read the article.
III. “Manipulating Civil Society”
The Jerusalem Post, February 22, 2007
“When foreign governments team up with and provide financial support to private Israeli groups in order to oppose policies chosen by democratically elected leaders, this is a problem. It is also a violation of sovereignty, and a clear example of neocolonialism.
Nevertheless, the recent discovery that the British Embassy in Tel Aviv is funding an Israeli non-governmental organization (NGO) known as "Bimkom – Planners for Planning Rights" – is not surprising.” Click here to the read the article.
Yale Initiative for the Interdisciplinary Study of Antisemitism/
Institution for Social and Policy Studies Seminar Series
Prof. Gerald M. Steinberg
Executive Director, NGO Monitor
"NGOs and the Durban Strategy:
Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism, and the Distortion of Human Rights"
Thursday, April 26, 2007
63 High Street
Room 101
4:15-5:45
Co-sponsored with the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP)