29 dec 2015
The new bill is sponsored by the Israeli justice minister, Ayelet Shaked.
Iraeli ministers have voted in favour of a bill that will crack down on human rights groups receiving funds from abroad, a move EU officials have said is reminiscent of totalitarian regimes.
Opponents say the bill unfairly targets leftwing organizations critical of government policy, leaving rightwing pro-settlement groups immune from the same scrutiny, as those tend to rely on private donors – who are exempt from the measures. The so-called transparency bill, sponsored by the justice minister, Ayelet Shaked, according to The Guardian/Al Ray, requires organizations to provide details of the countries funding their activities in any communication with elected officials, imposing a 29,000 shekel (£5,000) fine on any who fail to do so. Employees would also be required to wear special tags when working in Israel’s parliament.
The measures passed the first major legislative hurdle Sunday, when government ministers agreed to it in principal, making it almost certain to pass into law. The legislation is expected to receive support, from all the coalition factions within the Israeli government, when it is put to a final vote. It was part of a coalition agreement made by Shaked’s Hayabit Hayehudi party and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Opposition leaders have put pressure on the Israeli prime minister and coalition members to try to prevent the vote.
The EU ambassador to Israel recently met Shaked, to warn that the bill would undermine Israeli’s image as “a democratic and pluralistic country”, Israeli media reported. EU officials were quoted as saying that “Israel should be very careful about reigning in its prosperous democratic society with laws that are reminiscent of totalitarian regimes”.
Ayman Odeh, the leader of the united front of Israel’s Arab parties in the Knesset, accused the government of trying to silence criticism. “The government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is chipping away at what is left of the democratic space in Israel,” he said. “Human rights organizations fill an essential role in any society which aspires to be democratic, which is why they are constantly targeted as enemies of Israeli sovereignty.”
Zehava Galon, head of Meretz opposition party, described the bill as incredibly dangerous. “Beyond the fact that this is a bill that ostensibly seeks to increase transparency, it seeks to label human beings,” she said.
The organization Breaking the Silence, comprised of former soldiers who oppose Israel’s actions in the occupied territories, said the timing of the bill was intended to distract attention from the charging of suspects arrested in connection with the arson attack on a Palestinian family in the West Bank village of Douma.
“The reason the bill has come to discussion today is simple: it’s a smokescreen to keep the silence going,” said former soldier Yehuda Shaul. “Last week we saw images from the wedding [in which settlers stabbed a picture of a Palestinian baby killed in the attack]. We know that this week will be surrounded with talk about Douma and the lack of law enforcement in the occupied territories.
Breaking the Silence already reports on its funding every quarter - it receives 55% of its funding from European governments with a budget of 4.5m shekels this year. Shaul said: “Transparency laws are already advanced here: we need to report in our annual report every single donor over 20,000 shekels, including all private donors.”
In comparison, the pro-settlement group El Ad receives estimated funding of 60m shekels a year. Many right-wing non-profit groups received exemptions from the Israeli NGO authority, meaning they did not have to reveal who their private donors were. “This law is another attempt to politically persecute the left,” Shaul said.
Iraeli ministers have voted in favour of a bill that will crack down on human rights groups receiving funds from abroad, a move EU officials have said is reminiscent of totalitarian regimes.
Opponents say the bill unfairly targets leftwing organizations critical of government policy, leaving rightwing pro-settlement groups immune from the same scrutiny, as those tend to rely on private donors – who are exempt from the measures. The so-called transparency bill, sponsored by the justice minister, Ayelet Shaked, according to The Guardian/Al Ray, requires organizations to provide details of the countries funding their activities in any communication with elected officials, imposing a 29,000 shekel (£5,000) fine on any who fail to do so. Employees would also be required to wear special tags when working in Israel’s parliament.
The measures passed the first major legislative hurdle Sunday, when government ministers agreed to it in principal, making it almost certain to pass into law. The legislation is expected to receive support, from all the coalition factions within the Israeli government, when it is put to a final vote. It was part of a coalition agreement made by Shaked’s Hayabit Hayehudi party and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Opposition leaders have put pressure on the Israeli prime minister and coalition members to try to prevent the vote.
The EU ambassador to Israel recently met Shaked, to warn that the bill would undermine Israeli’s image as “a democratic and pluralistic country”, Israeli media reported. EU officials were quoted as saying that “Israel should be very careful about reigning in its prosperous democratic society with laws that are reminiscent of totalitarian regimes”.
Ayman Odeh, the leader of the united front of Israel’s Arab parties in the Knesset, accused the government of trying to silence criticism. “The government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is chipping away at what is left of the democratic space in Israel,” he said. “Human rights organizations fill an essential role in any society which aspires to be democratic, which is why they are constantly targeted as enemies of Israeli sovereignty.”
Zehava Galon, head of Meretz opposition party, described the bill as incredibly dangerous. “Beyond the fact that this is a bill that ostensibly seeks to increase transparency, it seeks to label human beings,” she said.
The organization Breaking the Silence, comprised of former soldiers who oppose Israel’s actions in the occupied territories, said the timing of the bill was intended to distract attention from the charging of suspects arrested in connection with the arson attack on a Palestinian family in the West Bank village of Douma.
“The reason the bill has come to discussion today is simple: it’s a smokescreen to keep the silence going,” said former soldier Yehuda Shaul. “Last week we saw images from the wedding [in which settlers stabbed a picture of a Palestinian baby killed in the attack]. We know that this week will be surrounded with talk about Douma and the lack of law enforcement in the occupied territories.
Breaking the Silence already reports on its funding every quarter - it receives 55% of its funding from European governments with a budget of 4.5m shekels this year. Shaul said: “Transparency laws are already advanced here: we need to report in our annual report every single donor over 20,000 shekels, including all private donors.”
In comparison, the pro-settlement group El Ad receives estimated funding of 60m shekels a year. Many right-wing non-profit groups received exemptions from the Israeli NGO authority, meaning they did not have to reveal who their private donors were. “This law is another attempt to politically persecute the left,” Shaul said.
26 dec 2015
Head of Israel's Higher Arab Monitoring Committee Ahmed Baraka said that the Israeli government seeks to outlaw all Arab political parties and groups after banning the northern branch of Islamic Movement last month.
The recent Israeli decision to outlaw the Islamic Movement does not only target the Islamic group but all the Arab movements and political parties in Israel, he said.
He expressed the Committee's rejection of the Israeli decision, considering it illegal and targeting all Arabs.
It was an Israeli political measure par excellence, he stressed.
Protests against Israel’s illegal decision against the Islamic Movement and its restrictions on Arab movements and groups will continue, Baraka pointed out.
Earlier last month, the Israeli security cabinet outlawed the Islamic Movement in Israel headed by Sheikh Raed Salah, accusing it of inciting violence. The Islamic Movement rejected the claim and challenged the government to prove it.
The recent Israeli decision to outlaw the Islamic Movement does not only target the Islamic group but all the Arab movements and political parties in Israel, he said.
He expressed the Committee's rejection of the Israeli decision, considering it illegal and targeting all Arabs.
It was an Israeli political measure par excellence, he stressed.
Protests against Israel’s illegal decision against the Islamic Movement and its restrictions on Arab movements and groups will continue, Baraka pointed out.
Earlier last month, the Israeli security cabinet outlawed the Islamic Movement in Israel headed by Sheikh Raed Salah, accusing it of inciting violence. The Islamic Movement rejected the claim and challenged the government to prove it.
24 dec 2015
Text of tweet from Israeli medic
An Israeli medic said on his Twitter page Thursday that field medical crews do not provide treatment to what he called “terrorists”, and stated that, in Hebron, he provided treatment to wounded Israelis “but I did not provide any treatment to the terrorist although he suffered more serious wounds.”
The medic said he wanted to be clear in his message when he said, “To all who ask, when I got to the scene today in Jaffa Gate, I helped the wounded [Israelis], but not the hateful terrorist, although he suffered more critical wounds.”
In another Tweet, the Israeli medics said, “When you go to the site of a stabbing attack, and you realize that the victim suffered a serious injury, and the terrorist was shot and also suffered a serious injury, who do you help? Now you answer me.”
There have been many reports, some captured on video, showing Israeli medics ignoring wounded Palestinians, and leaving them to bleed to death, in direct violation of International Law.
Many Israeli medics also carry automatic machine guns despite the fact that whenever they operate in the occupied territories many fully armed soldiers always accompany them.
Palestinian medics said in response to the news that such a statement by a medic, a person who vows to help any person who needs help, regardless of his faith, race, tone of skin or any other aspect, validates various reports regarding wounded Palestinians who bled to death while Israeli medics refrained from providing them with the urgently needed medical treatment.
Nearly a month ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his office, accused the Palestinian Red Crescent of refusing to provide medical aid to wounded Israelis and soldiers, but after his claimed were refuted, he rescinded his accusations. Nearly two weeks ago, Palestinian news agencies published a video of Red Crescent medics rescuing a wounded Israeli soldier.
In October, when questioned about what appeared to be a practice of treating wounded Israelis first while ignoring Palestinians, the head of Magen David Adom said that the medics are not given instructions from above to do that. But he said they would continue to use different-colored body bags for Israeli and Palestinians who are killed, saying, "We need to distinguish between terrorists and Jews, and so we decided to put terrorists in black bags to distinguish."
An Israeli medic said on his Twitter page Thursday that field medical crews do not provide treatment to what he called “terrorists”, and stated that, in Hebron, he provided treatment to wounded Israelis “but I did not provide any treatment to the terrorist although he suffered more serious wounds.”
The medic said he wanted to be clear in his message when he said, “To all who ask, when I got to the scene today in Jaffa Gate, I helped the wounded [Israelis], but not the hateful terrorist, although he suffered more critical wounds.”
In another Tweet, the Israeli medics said, “When you go to the site of a stabbing attack, and you realize that the victim suffered a serious injury, and the terrorist was shot and also suffered a serious injury, who do you help? Now you answer me.”
There have been many reports, some captured on video, showing Israeli medics ignoring wounded Palestinians, and leaving them to bleed to death, in direct violation of International Law.
Many Israeli medics also carry automatic machine guns despite the fact that whenever they operate in the occupied territories many fully armed soldiers always accompany them.
Palestinian medics said in response to the news that such a statement by a medic, a person who vows to help any person who needs help, regardless of his faith, race, tone of skin or any other aspect, validates various reports regarding wounded Palestinians who bled to death while Israeli medics refrained from providing them with the urgently needed medical treatment.
Nearly a month ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his office, accused the Palestinian Red Crescent of refusing to provide medical aid to wounded Israelis and soldiers, but after his claimed were refuted, he rescinded his accusations. Nearly two weeks ago, Palestinian news agencies published a video of Red Crescent medics rescuing a wounded Israeli soldier.
In October, when questioned about what appeared to be a practice of treating wounded Israelis first while ignoring Palestinians, the head of Magen David Adom said that the medics are not given instructions from above to do that. But he said they would continue to use different-colored body bags for Israeli and Palestinians who are killed, saying, "We need to distinguish between terrorists and Jews, and so we decided to put terrorists in black bags to distinguish."
20 dec 2015
Hundreds of men, women and children participated in a demonstration on Saturday evening for "the orphans' sponsors" in Kafr Kanna in the 1948 occupied lands.
The march was in protest against Israel's decision to close 17 of the Islamic Movement’s institutions, including the “Humanitarian Relief Foundation", which is concerned with the affairs of orphans and their sponsorship.
The demonstration, which was organized by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel, started from "Othman bin Affan" mosque in Kafr Kana. The demonstrators chanted slogans and raised banners condemning the ban on the Foundation which supports orphans. Dozens of orphans, who will be deprived of their monthly allowances as a result of the Israeli decision, participated in the demonstration.
Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement, and his deputy, Sheikh Kamal Khatib, along with social and political leaders and figures, and a crowd of supporters of the Islamic Movement participated in the march.
In the same context, a rally was organized, in which leader of the High Follow-Up Committee, Muhammad Barakeh, delivered a speech. He stressed that the Committee stands by the Islamic Movement and its humanitarian projects carried out for the benefit of the Palestinian people wherever they are; in the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza and the 1948 occupied lands.
He said that the Israeli decision to close those institutions is political and is a criminal and racist act.
He stressed on the need for solidarity and unity among the Palestinians against these decisions, which aim to hit the very existence and steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
For his part, the lawyer Hussein Abu Hussein, a sponsor for orphans, denounced the decision of closing these institutions, and said that it is an illegal decision, targeting Palestinians and the projects for orphans' sponsorship. He affirmed that humanitarian projects will not stop, especially the Islamic Movement projects, topped by those supporting Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sheikh Raed Salah, in his turn, spoke about the Israeli unjust decision and stressed the need to support such institutions.
He stressed the need to support the humanitarian projects and to stand by the Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The Israeli offensive will not scare us and will not prevent us from communicating with our people to help them and to stand by them in their ordeal, especially our people in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque”, he said, stressing that this offensive will fail as it has failed in the past.
The march was in protest against Israel's decision to close 17 of the Islamic Movement’s institutions, including the “Humanitarian Relief Foundation", which is concerned with the affairs of orphans and their sponsorship.
The demonstration, which was organized by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel, started from "Othman bin Affan" mosque in Kafr Kana. The demonstrators chanted slogans and raised banners condemning the ban on the Foundation which supports orphans. Dozens of orphans, who will be deprived of their monthly allowances as a result of the Israeli decision, participated in the demonstration.
Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the Islamic Movement, and his deputy, Sheikh Kamal Khatib, along with social and political leaders and figures, and a crowd of supporters of the Islamic Movement participated in the march.
In the same context, a rally was organized, in which leader of the High Follow-Up Committee, Muhammad Barakeh, delivered a speech. He stressed that the Committee stands by the Islamic Movement and its humanitarian projects carried out for the benefit of the Palestinian people wherever they are; in the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza and the 1948 occupied lands.
He said that the Israeli decision to close those institutions is political and is a criminal and racist act.
He stressed on the need for solidarity and unity among the Palestinians against these decisions, which aim to hit the very existence and steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
For his part, the lawyer Hussein Abu Hussein, a sponsor for orphans, denounced the decision of closing these institutions, and said that it is an illegal decision, targeting Palestinians and the projects for orphans' sponsorship. He affirmed that humanitarian projects will not stop, especially the Islamic Movement projects, topped by those supporting Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
Sheikh Raed Salah, in his turn, spoke about the Israeli unjust decision and stressed the need to support such institutions.
He stressed the need to support the humanitarian projects and to stand by the Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The Israeli offensive will not scare us and will not prevent us from communicating with our people to help them and to stand by them in their ordeal, especially our people in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque”, he said, stressing that this offensive will fail as it has failed in the past.