Israel takes step to curb rights groups’ foreign funding
Posted November 13, 2011 8:30 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
JERUSALEM – Israeli Cabinet ministers have taken a significant step toward curbing foreign funding for political not-for-profit organizations, approving a measure opponents see as trying to muzzle dovish groups critical of the government.
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday passed a bill that would limit donations by foreign governments or international agencies such as the United Nations or European Union to 20,000 shekels ($5,200) annually, government spokesman Mark Regev said.
The funding comes from countries considered friendly to Israel _ not enemy nations. Critics of the funding see it as meddling in Israel’s internal affairs.
The legislation is the latest in a string of proposed legislation that human rights groups say are an attempt to stifle dissent in Israel. The parliament must pass the measures.
