Israeli Left-, Right-Wing at War Over NGO Transparency Bill

WASHINGTON—Israeli political factions are engaged in a heated battle over a pending bill which, if enacted, would require NGOs that receive at least half of their funds from foreign governments to publicly identify themselves and their majority donors in all communications with public or elected officials.

NGO’s are non-government organizations that operate on a nonprofit basis. They may be funded by governments, foundations, businesses or private individuals.

 “The Israeli government view is whoever seeks to influence the policy of its members of parliament in the name of a foreign country’s money is no better and no worse than any other lobbyist working on behalf of the money it receives,” said Jeremy Man Saltan, an Israeli political analyst and Knesset insider.  “Therefore, Israel wishes to create transparency in this area and prescribe a duty of disclosure with regard to the activities of the NGOs operating on behalf of foreign governments.”