Background

Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that claim to promote human rights and humanitarian agendas in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict often use antisemitic themes and imagery to demonize the Jewish people and state of Israel.

This “new anti-semitism” is evidenced in NGO political campaigns based on the 2001 Durban Conference, including the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement (BDS) movement and legal attacks (“lawfare”) against Israeli officials and companies that do business with Israel.

Contrary to NGO claims that they are engaging in “legitimate criticism” of Israel, the NGO rhetoric, publications, and activities often violate accepted standards, including the EU and U.S. definitions of anti-Semitism.

However, despite the extensive evidence of NGO antisemitism, governments continue to fund these groups, often claiming that the funding is intended for distinct “projects” unrelated to the grantee’s wider agenda and expressions of antisemitism. However, funders are enablers, and share full responsibility for the activities of their grantees.

The ongoing government funding for NGOs that engage in antisemitic activities and use antisemitic rhetoric highlights the persistent double standard: Hatred of Jews is tolerated in a way that would be unthinkable for other racial, ethnic, or religious groups; moreover, Jewish and Israeli targets are often denied the right to define what constitutes discrimination against them.

Essentials

Blood Libels & BDS- NGO Monitor’s Report to the 2013 Global Forum on Anti-Semitism, NGO Monitor Reports, May 27, 2013

Abusing the Legacy of the Holocaust: The Role of NGOs in Exploiting Human Rights to Demonize Israel, Jewish Political Studies Review, Fall 2004

Anti-Zionism as Antisemitism: Sources and Responses, NGO Monitor and Bar Ilan University, July 30, 2013

NGO Monitor Reports

Miftah’s Funders Share Responsibility for Antisemitism and Incitement, NGO Monitor Reports, April 2, 2013

The NGOs that Exploited Chrisman- 2011, NGO Monitor Reports, December 22, 2011

‘Tis the Season for BDS, NGO Monitor Reports, December 23, 2010

Badil’s Antisemitic Cartoon: Questions for Danchurch, Trocaire and Funders, NGO Monitor Reports, October 11, 2010

Pro-divestment rally attended by NIF, EU grantees turn to anti-Semitism, NGO Monitor Reports, May 23, 2010

Anti-Semitism in Swedish Media Fuelled by Government Funds for Radical NGOs, NGO Monitor Reports, August 19, 2009

NIF-Funded Coalition of Women for Peace Brings Controversial Play to Israel, NGO Monitor Reports, June 11, 2009

“Hijacked by Hatred”: British NGOs Use Christmas for Anti-Israel Attacks, NGO Monitor, December 23, 2008

NGOs and Anti-Semitism: Oxfam’s “Blood Oranges”, Christian Aid’s “Bethlehem’s Child”, and HRW’s “Indiscriminate Killings,” NGO Monitor Reports, January 28, 2007

In the News

Children’s Rights Group Using a Blood Libel Against Israel to Raise Money, The Algemeiner, October 3, 3013

Two Faces of Anti-Semitism, Ynetnews.com, July 14, 2013

Pro-Israel Group Charges Human Rights NGOs with Anti-Semitism, Nonprofit Quarterly, May 31, 2013

Palestinian BGO Blood Libel, Funded by E.U. and U.S., The Times of Israel, April 11, 2013

Ashrawi Linked NGO Apologizes for Blood Libel Claim, The Jerusalem Post, April 11, 2013

Analysis: Swedish government funds NGOs and anti-Semitism, The Jerusalem Post, August 19, 2009

Ken Roth’s Blood Libel, The Jerusalem Post, August 26, 2006

NGO Monitor’s submission to the Parliamentary Committee against Antisemitsm, December 27, 2005