Foreign Support for Israeli NGO's

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wield very significant political and legal power in Israel, particularly through their use of the language and frameworks of human rights and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. These NGOs are also a major and often hidden channel for external influence in Israeli foreign and security policies.

Much of the funding for political lobbies that claim to be based in Israeli “civil society” comes from foreign sources – particularly European governments, including the European Commission – as well as foundations such as the New Israel Fund, the Ford Foundation, and the Open Society Institute. By using the generous resources made available by these external donors, the Israel-based NGO network is able to promote particular political ideologies, and to oppose the policies of the democratically elected government on many issues.

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"The Realization of Zionism: Strengthening the Periphery"

On the 22nd of December, the Knesset held a seminar on the subject "The Realization of Zionism: Strengthening the Periphery".  The event was organized by the New Zionist Movement, a member of the Forum of Zionist Organizations organized by the Institute for Zionist Strategies.  Vice Minister Danny Ayalon and the Yisrael Beiteinu party sponsored the event. 

The day began with an assembly of the Knesset committees for a special meeting that addressed the issues at hand.  The highlight of the day was during the convention in the auditorium in which Knesset Chairman Rubi Rivlin, Minister Lieberman, Vice Minister Ayalon, Minister Misezhnikov, MKs Michaeli, Eldad, Hotovely, Levin and others participated.  Vice Minister Ayalon cautioned against groups both inside and outside of the State who do not recognize Jewish sovereignty and settlement in several areas in the Negev and the Galilee and who are actively seeking to put an end to this.  Minister Lieberman warned against territorial continuity between Jerusalem and Hebron that would allow for certain areas to be severed from Israeli sovereignty.  Prof. Arnon Sofer cautioned against tendencies of population centralization in the Greater Tel Aviv Area.  Israel Harel called for the renewal of the Zionist movement and the establishment of a settlement movement.

Teaching History in Israel and the World

For years, Israeli society has been in a state of bewilderment.  It has been experiencing conflict over its identity, sources of authority and ethos. The line of division is the Six Day War – the elimination of the existential threat eroded the ethos of one for all in favor of self-fulfillment.  Under market and political pressures, educational institutions – universities,

colleges and schools – speculate over the quality of their national purpose (and if they even have one), over their social function and over their academic and educational direction.  A new article by Prof. Yoav Gelber examines the chronological development of history studies in Israel and compares them to parallel developments elsewhere in the world while offering a new intellectual angle on their future progress.

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