demonization efforts continue

Promoting Accountability in the Arab-Israeli Conflict


NGO Support for the "Free Gaza" Flotilla

Charities, NGOs, and other groups claiming human rights and
humanitarian aid goals have been deeply involved in the demonization of
Israel. The "Free Gaza Flotilla" highlights the fa=E7ade of morality
exploited for political warfare.

a.. The flotilla was endorsed by EU-funded Israel Committee
Against House Demolitions (ICAHD), EU- and European-funded Palestinian
Center for Human Rights (PCHR), NIF-funded Coalition of Women for Peace,
European-funded Alternative Information Center (AIC), and Israeli groups
New Profile, Bat Shalom, Yesh Gvul, and Zochrot.=20
b.. Jeff Halper, executive director of ICAHD, is on the board of
advisors of the Free Gaza Movement.=20
c.. Turkish group IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi), a leader of the
flotilla, is a member of the Union of the Good - an umbrella group
Islamic organizations. According to the Intelligence and Terrorism
Information Center (ITIC) the Union of the Good has transferred money,
via Hamas charities, to families of suicide bombers.=20
d.. According to a Danish research institute, the Turkish
authorities began investigating IHH in 1997, after learning that senior
figures purchased weapons from Islamic radicals. A Turkish raid on the
organization's bureau turned up weapons, explosives, and instructions
for making IEDs.=20
e.. Other organizers include activists from the fringe
International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
Analysis of NGO campaigns and the "Free Gaza Flotilla"
a.. NGO responses ignore video evidence of violent activists attacking Israeli soldiers with knives and clubs. In this context,
B'Tselem's claim that "information [about extreme violence against
soldiers] is based solely on statements of soldiers" is entirely
misleading. =20
b.. A number of NGOs accuse Israel of "piracy" for intercepting
the boats in the flotilla. Gaza is a source of attacks against Israelis.
As noted by Prof. Robbie Sabel, Israel can enforce its blockade of Gaza,
and ships in international waters are subject to inspection if
attempting to violate the embargo.=20
c.. NGOs continue to make the false claim that Israel's response
in Gaza is "illegal" and "collective punishment." As NGO Monitor's
analysis demonstrates, restrictions on the flow of goods in armed
conflict is neither "collective punishment" nor a violation of