Israel Matzav

B'Tselem takes BDS money

B'Tselem, Israel's largest and best known human rights organization, took a donation last week from an organization that supports the BDS (boycott, divest, sanction) movement against Israel.

On October 25, 2010, B’Tselem announced a donation from a group known as “Bubbes and Zaydes for Peace” (BZP); Executive Director Jessica Montell wrote on Twitter, “I don't know the group but it brought a big smile to my face.”

Due diligence would have revealed that BZP endorses the antisemitic BDS (boycotts, divestment, sanctions) movement and employs the demonizing rhetoric of the Durban strategy – in violation of B’Tselem’s stated principles and growing adoption of ethical guidelines, such as by the New Israel Fund.

NGO Monitor wrote to B’Tselem informing the NGO of BZP’s BDS advocacy and asking whether the donation would be refused. B’Tselem responded that it was “honored to receive [the] contribution[].”

BZP, based in Philadelphia, claims to work towards “justice in the Middle East.” Using its disarming name to mask its agenda, “Bubbes and Zeydes” participated in Israeli Apartheid Week by hanging “BOYCOTT ISRAELI APARTHEID!” signs on major Philadelphia highways. The group demonstrated outside local cellphone stores that sell Motorola phones, in order to “call on the corporation to cease producing and selling equipment to the Israeli army to prevent its involvement in future abuses.”

BZP members also joined “Divestment Teach-ins.” BZP co-sponsored a Sabeel Conference at Villanova in March 2008. Sabeel is a leader in the church divestment campaign, and uses antisemitic imagery and theology to demonize Israel.

The loyal opposition? Hardly. Traitors would be a better description.

Labels: B'Tselem, BDS, Bubbes and Zeydes for Peace, New Israel Fund, NGO Monitor

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:33 PM