...It is true that NIF also operates legally in Israel and the fact that such a wide array of organisations legally operate in Israel is testament to the depth and breadth of Israeli democracy. Being a legally operating organisation however, does not mean that an organisation is either automatically pro-Israel, pro-Israel as a Jewish State, or working for a better Israeli society.
Many organisations operating in Israel, including some NIF grantees, openly oppose Israel as a Jewish State...
Some NIF grantees oppose both government and opposition policy, working only on the extreme edges of Israeli society. Contrary to NIF statements, some NIF grantees, such as Breaking the Silence, are very active outside of Israel in many places around the world, including lobbying the White House against the code of conduct of the IDF.
Recently Yair Lapid, the centre left leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party, had this to say on the anniversary of Operation Protective Edge:
“radical groups like Breaking the Silence seek to undermine Israel’s name internationally with anonymous testimonies. Breaking the Silence is an anti-Zionist organisation which isn’t fighting for human rights. All it wants to do is to darken Israel’s image before the international community. There isn’t another army in history which invested so much effort in preventing harm to civilians.”
Pointing out these NIF shortcomings is neither anti civil nor anti-democratic. It is a right and indeed an obligation.
Dr Ron Weiser AM
Hon Life President
Zionist Council of NSW
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