Israel Matzav

Knesset committee to investigate funding and activities of anti-Israel leftist groups

The Knesset voted 47-16 to establish a legislative commission of inquiry that will look into the funding and activities of Israeli leftist groups that seek to delegitimize the state.

The initiative, brought forth by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu faction, called primarily to investigate the sources of funding for these groups. The panel will essentially be charged with looking into where these groups have been attaining their funds, particularly whether this money is coming from foreign states or even organizations deemed to be involved in terrorist activities.

The knesset's approval of the proposal comes after Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein ruled in August that no investigation should be launched against such groups. The initiative has been met with anger from both the opposition and human rights groups.

The discussion at the Knesset on Wednesday was charged, filled with heckling and interruptions. A significant number of security guards were on hand to prevent physical altercations between the opposing members of Knesset.

MK Fania Kirshenbaum (Yisrael Beiteinu ), who submitted the proposal, alleged during the debate that the groups targeted for investigation were to blame for foreign actions aimed at delegitimizing Israel and its officials.

"These groups provide material to the Goldstone commission [which investigated the Gaza war] and are behind the indictments lodged against Israeli officers and officials around the world," Kirshenbaum said, referring to a series of arrest warrants issued over the last few years.

"They are trying to silence the very people who administrate the State of Israel's foreign relations," she declared. "These organizations are responsible for branding IDF soldiers as war criminals and encourage defamations."

In her presentations, Kirshenbaum singled out one group which she claimed went into local Israeli schools to convince pupils that "joining the IDF is unethical" and to advise them how to dodge conscription. A panel of inquiry, said Kirshenbaum, would investigate just who was in charge of the bodies providing these Israeli groups with financial assistance.

While Yisrael Beiteinu had garnered a majority in favor of the proposal before it was brought to vote, the matter raised the ire of human rights groups and left-wing politicians alike.

This is long overdue. And the Left is furious about it.

Labels: Goldstone Report, loyal opposition, New Israel Fund

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:55 PM