Midyear Report

January - July 2017 Achievements and Successes

CONFIDENTIAL

Institute for NGO Research R.A. (580465508)

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

Highlights

 On June 13, following months of NGO Monitor work with Swiss officials, journalists, and other partners, the Swiss Parliament passed a resolution directing the government to “amend the laws, ordinances and regulations” to prevent funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) “involved in racist, antisemitic or hate incitement actions.” This was the first time a European country passed legislation to end funding for NGOs that are vehicles for incitement and hate speech and that specifically includes antisemitism.

 On June 28, NGO Monitor and its Spanish partner ACOM brought Chair of Yesh Atid MK Yair Lapid to the Spanish Parliament to discuss our new report. The discussion highlighted Spanish government funding to organizations that support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions), incite to violence, glorify terrorism, and/or have alleged links to terrorist organizations.

 In February, Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed British funding to radical NGOs active in the conflict with UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

 Prime Minister Netanyahu used NGO Monitor research to call upon the Danish FM to cut funding for Palestinian groups involved in BDS campaigns against Israel. Following this, in June, Denmark’s Foreign Minister announced a freeze of Danish government funding to Palestinian NGOs via the Secretariat, pending an investigation.

 In January, NGO Monitor moved to new offices in Talpiot, enabling the organization to continue to grow and achieve greater impact.

 In February, NGO Monitor released a new funding database, allowing easy access and analysis of NIS 235 million of foreign government funding to Israeli NGOs that are active in the conflict (2012-2016).

 In the past six months, NGO Monitor hosted a number of major events in Israel and abroad including at the UN and at the European Union.

 Due to governments taking action to curb funding to radical NGOs, many organizations and their allies have attacked NGO Monitor for our role in discrediting their biased campaigns and disrupting their funding sources.

 Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian Authority politician and NGO activist, spoke at a July event at the UN where he named NGO Monitor as a leader of the “Zionist Plan.”

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

1

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

2

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

Ongoing Successes

In 2014, NGO Monitor discovered that the authors of a one-sided and slanderous “Open Letter for the People of Gaza” published in The Lancet medical journal also promoted an antisemitic David Duke video. Following pressure from NGO Monitor and our allies, The Lancet's editor Richard Horton expressed his “deep, deep regret” for the “completely unnecessary polarization” the letter caused and condemned the antisemitic video promoted by the authors of the letter.

In a continued effort to right this wrong, a special issue of the journal was published on May 8, 2017 focusing on health in Israel. In the press surrounding its publication, Horton criticized BDS campaigns and again emphasized that The Lancet “wanted to turn the unfortunate episode into a constructive and positive lever that will lead to recognition of Israel's advantages for global health.”

Europe

In April 2017, NGO Monitor contacted nearly 3,000 parliamentarians from the European Union, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, providing them with our report documenting a highly disturbing pattern of European government funding to NGOs that legitimize violent attacks against civilians and incite violence. The messages propagated by these organizations directly contradict the foreign policy goals of their government funders, and resonate in a global context of rising populism that rewards extremism, fear-mongering, and incitement.

As detailed in our report, significant amounts of European government funding are allocated to European, Palestinian, and Israeli NGOs that repeatedly manipulate human rights rhetoric to denigrate security concerns and legitimize indiscriminate violence. Some of these groups also have ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) – a designated terrorist organization in the EU, US, Canada, and Israel.

Our outreach resulted in immediate responses from parliamentarians from all targeted countries, and NGO Monitor was widely featured in Israeli and international media.

Switzerland  After years of NGO Monitor reports, presentations, and briefings – including with parliamentarians, government officials, diplomats, and journalists – documenting the issue of unchecked and unaccountable Swiss government funding to NGOs, in March 2017, the Swiss Lower House of Parliament voted (111 to 78 with 4 abstentions) to “amend the laws, ordinances and regulations so that Switzerland can no longer subsidize, even indirectly, development cooperation projects carried out by NGOs involved in racist, antisemitic or hate incitement actions….”  On June 13, 2017, the Council of States (upper house) adopted the resolution.  A final vote will take place in the Lower House in September, and a positive vote will end all direct and indirect Swiss funding to NGOs involved in these actions.  This story was covered by all major Swiss news outlets.

Denmark  After months of meetings and briefings with Danish parliamentarians, on June 2, the Danish Foreign Minister halted distribution of Danish government funding to organizations via the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat (“Secretariat”), a joint

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

3

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

funding mechanism of the Danish, Dutch, Swedish, and Swiss governments. The statement explained that “all payments of Danish money to organizations within the donor secretariat” are frozen pending a “thorough investigation of all the organizations.” NGO Monitor research has shown that the Secretariat funds some of the most radical and anti-Israel organizations operating under the guise of human rights in the Arab-Israeli conflict.  Denmark demanded a return of its funding to a Palestinian NGO following its involvement in the inauguration of a youth center named after the terrorist Dalal Mughrabi (see Norway above).  NGO Monitor was invited to present a testimony at the Danish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee’s hearing on children in conflict and war zones. The event was scheduled for May 24, but was canceled due to pressure from NGOs worried about being contradicted by NGO Monitor’s experts.

European Union

 NGO Monitor’s “Value for Money” report was cited in a draft motion for a European Parliament resolution on EU funding to NGOs submitted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control.  In June 2017, NGO Monitor and MEP Patricija Sulin (EPP) hosted an event in the European Parliament, titled “Evaluating Impact: EU Funding to NGOs.” The panel, chaired by MEP Anders Primdahl Vistisen (ECR), served as a platform for a broad discussion on EU funding to NGOs, EU foreign policy, human rights, and environmentalism. NGO Monitor's own Tamar Kogman, Europe Desk Researcher, as well as a diverse group of experts and MEPs from across the political spectrum participated in the event that was attended by approximately 90 politicians and members of civil society.

Spain

 In April, in collaboration with the Spanish organization ACOM, NGO Monitor published a new comprehensive report on Spanish government funding to organizations that support BDS, incite to violence, glorify terrorism, and/or have alleged links to terrorist organizations. The report was published in both Spanish and English (and an abridged Hebrew version) and demonstrates that Spanish funding to politicized NGOs is widespread and highly decentralized, correlating to several levels of governance in Spain. In total, politicized funding designated for NGO activities in the Arab-Israeli conflict amounted to over €5.1 million in 2015 alone.  In June, NGO Monitor hosted two events in the Spanish Parliament, featuring Israeli MK and Chair of the Yesh Atid party Yair Lapid,

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

4

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

where we presented our research on Spanish government funding to radical organizations. The events received broad media coverage in Israeli and Spanish media.

Germany

 Last year, NGO Monitor provided German film producers with data on the role of NGO funding and activities in contributing to antisemitism in Europe and the Middle East to be used a documentary on European antisemitism. The film was scheduled to be aired in June 2017, however, in moves that triggered intense public criticism, a French-German broadcasting company (ARTE) refused to air it, as did the public German broadcasting company Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR). In its press release, WDR alleged “inaccuracies” in NGO Monitor’s research, citing this as a reason not to air the film. Eventually, following public pressure, WDR and ARTE relented, but WDR attached an unprecedented set of “fact- checks” to the film – further attacking NGO Monitor. WDR’s actions and baseless and weak claims greatly embarrassed the broadcaster, and resulted in major publicity for the documentary and NGO Monitor.

Norway  NGO Monitor commended the Norwegian government’s decision to demand a return of its funding that was used for a youth center near Nabulus named after the terrorist Dalal Mughrabi, who was among the perpetrators of the Coastal Road Massacre in 1978 that claimed the lives of 37 civilians. NGO Monitor subsequently alerted the Norwegian Foreign Minister to the fact that one of its NGO funding recipients had condemned the government’s decision regarding the center and called Mughrabi a “freedom fighter.”  NGO Monitor materials and research were used by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a meeting with the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs in Israel.

United Nations

 When the UN Special Rapporteur on the “situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967” Michael Lynk included Manal Tamimi in his his March report to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), NGO Monitor sent a complaint to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights exposing Tamimi’s radical anti- Israel and antisemitic tweets (see photos of tweets below). In response, the Office of the High Commissioner removed Manal Tamimi from the report.  Made a submission to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the anti- Israel UNHRC “blacklist” of companies doing “business supporting settlements in the occupied territories” - a one-of-its-kind database that targets a single country, Israel. The planned blacklist also ignores due process

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

5

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

rights, promotes antisemitism, and will be used as a tool to promote BDS. Following our submission, the release of the report was delayed by a year, with UN officials citing the problems raised by NGO Monitor.  Participated in the March UNHRC session, where we submitted three written statements, presented three oral statements, and held meetings with government and UN officials.  Participated in the June UNHRC session, where we submitted four written statements, presented two oral statements, hosted two side events, and held meetings with government and UN officials.  At the June session, NGO Monitor brought Prof. Eugene Kontorovich to speak at the UNHRC as part of our efforts to combat the upcoming release of the UN blacklist of companies in the “Occupied Territories” (see below under “Past and Upcoming Events” for details).  Made a submission to the Human Rights Committee on their review of Switzerland about Civil Society and Swiss funding of NGO incitement and antisemitism.  Prepared a report on child detention issues with Lt. Col (res) Maurice Hirsch - our senior military justice consultant, who will present our research at the UN in September.

Israel

 After providing the Prime Minister’s office with NGO Monitor’s research on European funding to anti-Israel NGOs, PM Netanyahu discussed the issue of NGO funding in meetings with British PM Theresa May, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, and Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen.  Played a leading role in improving the coordination between the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various civil society groups active in countering the delegitimization of Israel.  Continued to expose ties between NGOs and terrorist organizations, in a recent report “Whitewashing ‘Resistance- Human Rights Funding to Organizations Blurring the Lines between Violence and Nonviolence.” This report focuses on Palestinian and European NGOs which have ties to the PFLP and/or glorify terrorist attacks terming them “resistance.”  Published an academic article on this subject in the NATO affiliated Defense Review journal.  Published a new and improved database detailing all foreign government funding to Israeli NGOs. This interactive resource is an extremely useful tool for the Israeli public, media, and elected officials as well as for diplomats and foreign parliamentarians.  The database was largely shared in social media, among officials, and by news outlets like NRG and Israel Hayom.

North America

 In January Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Tom Cotton introduced the “Countering Anti- Semitism and Anti-Israel Activities Act” that seeks to combat anti-Israel bias and antisemitism at the UN. Rubio’s team thanked NGO Monitor for our essential research that helped inform this legislation.

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

6

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

 In March, legislation was introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, targeting the UNHRC’s proposed blacklist of companies operating in the West Bank. NGO Monitor presented and discussed our UN research – including a legal analysis of the blacklist – with the bill’s sponsor, Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), ahead of its introduction.  In April, the House of Representatives introduced similar legislation, which would require the US to work to repeal the UNHRC proposed blacklist, as well as work to combat BDS at the UN more broadly. The bill also calls for specific measures to address antisemitism at the UN. In March, NGO Monitor representatives presented our UN research to the staffs of four of the Congressmen who co-sponsored the legislation.  In June, NGO Monitor met with Canada’s new Ambassador to Israel and briefed her on NGO Monitor’s research and activities. NGO Monitor is closely following Canada’s new foreign aid policy and is now working on mapping funding to BDS organizations active in Canada.  NGO Monitor’s research on the funders of on campus BDS activities was featured in a Tablet Magazine piece about the extensive support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund for BDS campaigns in the US.

Past and Upcoming Events

 In June, NGO Monitor held an event with Prof. Eugene Kontorovich, Prof. of Law at Northwestern University and Kohelet Policy Forum, at the UN in Geneva. We presented Prof. Kontorovich’s new research on “Who Else Profits: European and Multinational Businesses in the Occupied Territories.” This report exposes the bias of the UN blacklist, which only focuses on Israel and does not include any of the other numerous cases of business in “occupied territory” that exist around the world (see “United Nations” for more NGO Monitor Legal Advisor Anne Herzberg and Prof. Eugene details.) Kontorovich present a new report at a side event at the UN in  NGO Monitor co-hosted an event in the Geneva, June 19, 2017. European Parliament, titled “Evaluating Impact: EU Funding to NGOs.” The panel, chaired by MEP Anders Primdahl Vistisen (ECR), served as a platform for a broad discussion on EU funding to NGOs, EU foreign policy, human rights, and environmentalism.  In July, NGO Monitor held a screening of the film Eyeless in Gaza at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem. Following the screening there was a panel discussion featuring Prof. Gerald Steinberg, film producer Robert Magid, journalist Amotz Asa-el, and foreign correspondent Michele Chabin. Former IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner will moderate the panel.  NGO Monitor held an event with Elliott Abrams in Jerusalem, “Turning Point: From Partition to Delegitimization.” The event was held on the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War and addressed the change in the narrative over the past 50 years.  In September, NGO Monitor will hold a side event at the UN in Geneva with Lt. Col. Maurice Hirsch on child soldiers and human shields.  NGO Monitor will also hold a second screening of the film Eyeless in Gaza at the UN in Geneva.

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

7

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

Media

NGO Monitor research was quoted in a number of international media outlets in the past six months. Additionally, our experts were regularly interviewed on Israeli television and published op- eds in local and international newspapers. Here is a selection of this impact:

NGO Monitor's Vincent Chebat speaks on I24 News about NGO Monitor Europe Desk Director Olga Deutsch on ILTV, French government funding. discussing European funding to Israeli NGOs.

NGO Monitor Research cited in German NGO Monitor Research cited in Swiss newspaper Basler newspaper Bild. Zeitung.

Prof. Gerald Steinberg on Israel’s Channel 1, discussing NGO Monitor’s research and activities and the UN in German Funding to NGOs active in the conflict. Israel Hayom.

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

8

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

Organization Updates

NGO Monitor is pleased to announce that Amb. Vivian Bercovici, Amb. John Bolton, and Amb. Dave Sharma have joined NGO Monitor’s International Advisory Board:

Amb. Viviam Bercovici NGO Monitor is honored that Amb. Vivian Bercovici has agreed to join its International Advisory Board. From January 2014 until June 2016, Amb. Bercovici served as Canada’s Ambassador to Israel. Appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, she quickly established a reputation as a highly engaged, articulate, and personable diplomat and a very effective advocate for the strong Canada-Israel relationship.

Amb. Bercovici is a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute in Jerusalem and an Executive Fellow with the University of Calgary School of Public Policy. She joins Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, Ruth Wisse, Prof. Judea Pearl, Col. Richard Kemp, and other distinguished international board members.

Amb. John Bolton

Amb. John Bolton was appointed as United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations on August 1, 2005 and served until his resignation in December 2006. Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Bolton served as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security from May 2001 to May 2005.

Amb. Bolton currently serves as a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), is a contributor to FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network, and his op-ed articles are regularly featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times."

Amb. Dave Sharma Amb. Dave Sharma served as Australia’s Ambassador to Israel from June 2013-2017. As a senior official within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2010 to 2012, Amb. Sharma headed the International Division, advising the Prime Minister on managing Australia’s foreign relations and accompanying the Prime Minister on overseas travel and meetings with foreign leaders, including G20 summits and the East Asia Summit.

Amb. Sharma was closely involved in the policy outcomes from President Obama’s visit to Australia in November 2011 and Australia’s successful chairing of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in October 2011. He also served as Australia’s G20 sous-sherpa. From 2006 to 2009, Amb. Sharma served overseas at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. From 2004 to 2006 he worked in Parliament as the legal adviser to the Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer.

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

9

NGO Monitor 2017 Mid-year Report

Growth

In January NGO Monitor moved to our new offices in Talpiot. This office will allow NGO Monitor to continue to grow and expand, multiplying our impact.

In May, Lt. Col. Maurice Hirsch joined NGO Monitor staff as our Senior Military Justice Consultant. Lt. Col. Hirsch is an International Law expert who specializes in the prosecution of terrorists, the Palestinian Authority, and International Law as applied in Judea and Samaria. In the course of his military service, Hirsch served in a number of senior positions in the Military Advocate General’s Corps., including Assistant to the Legal Advisor to Judea and Samaria; Head of Legal Advice to the Navy, Air Force, Ground Forces and Home Front; and ultimately as the Head of the Military Prosecution for Judea and Samaria. Hirsch retired from the IDF after 19 years of service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

NGO Monitor Mourns the Passing of Paul Ogden

In January 2017, the staff and board members of NGO Monitor mourned the passing of our beloved board member Paul Ogden. Paul was an important voice in the development of NGO Monitor, and his contributions and valuable input were essential in our continued success. He was always available to talk to staff, evaluate ideas, give advice, and help us improve. He is sorely missed.

In Memory of our Founding Donor

NGO Monitor mourns the loss of our founding donor, Dr. Harry Wechsler. As our partner, Dr. Wechsler took great pride in NGO Monitor’s growing accomplishments and was continuously impressed with the organization’s ability to stay focused on its mission while expanding our global impact. NGO Monitor remains a joint project of the Wechsler Family Foundation and we will always be indebted to our founding donor and his family. May his memory be a blessing.

#580465508 (ע"ר) .Institute for NGO Research R.A

10