BICOM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided yesterday to postpone a cabinet discussion on a bill aimed at restricting foreign funding to Israeli NGOs, which was originally scheduled for Sunday. According to sources in Netanyahu’s bureau, cited in Haaretz, the PM’s decision came after receiving a letter from Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, saying that he would not be prepared to defend the proposed legislation in the High Court. Weinstein told Netanyahu that the legislation was unconstitutional, and would harm freedom of expression.

The bills in question, submitted by MKs Ofir Akunis (Likud) and Faina Kirshenbaum (Yisrael Beiteinu), is designed to stop left-wing campaign groups receiving funding from foreign governments. The proponents argue that such donations are a politicised intervention in Israeli internal affairs. Under the legislation, some groups, such as those which encourage Israeli soldiers not to serve, would be barred from receiving any funding from foreign governments. Others would have foreign government donations taxed at 45%.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed concern at the proposed legislation yesterday, saying such a law would be a blow to UK funded projects. “Britain is deeply concerned by proposals to pass legislation in the Israeli Knesset that would limit foreign funding of NGOs,” said Hague. He added that the legislation “would be seen as undermining the democratic principles the Israeli state is founded on.”