[Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News] The EU doesn't like when foreign governments fund their NGOs. Really.

From Reuters, May 8:

[Ayelet] Shaked also wants to check the Supreme Court's power and restrict donations from foreign governments to non-governmental organizations in Israel.

For foreign diplomats, that raises as many concerns about the direction Israel is moving in as the expansion of settlements on land the Palestinians seek for a state -- a profound, long-standing bone of contention.

"The red lines for us aren't just about settlements," said the ambassador of one EU member state.

"When you look at some of the legislation being proposed, it is very worrying. It is anti-democratic and looks designed to shut down criticism. It's the sort of thing you normally see coming out of Russia."

Hundreds of millions of euros flow into anti-Israel NGOs.

The EU logic against transparency or limits on donations to NGOs only applies to Israel, as we can see from this  resolution from the European Parliament:

The EU must critically re-assess its relations with Russia, which are profoundly damaged by Russia's deliberate violation of democratic principles, fundamental values and international law with its violent action and destabilisation of its neighbours , MEPs said on Wednesday. The EU must now devise a soft-power contingency plan to counter Russia’s aggressive and divisive policies, they said.

“With its aggression against Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, the Russian leadership has put our relations at a crossroads. It is up to the Kremlin to decide now which way it will go – cooperation or deepening alienation,” said the EP rapporteur, Gabrielius Landsbergis (EPP, LT). “I am convinced that the Russian people, as all of us, want peace, not war. A change in Russia can, and will, come from within. Meanwhile we must send a strong message to the Russian leadership that we stand united with the victims of its aggression and those who stand for the values the EU is founded on,” he added.

The resolution he steered through Parliament was passed by 494 votes to 135, with 69 abstentions.

Here is one of the provisions of that resolution:

Put an end to Russia’s interference in EU democracies

MEPs are also alarmed that Russia is positioning itself as a challenger of the international democratic community and its law-based order and is supporting and financing radical and extremist parties in the EU. They call for a coordinated mechanism to be set up by the Commission and EU member states to monitor financial, political or technical assistance provided by Russia to political parties and other organisations in the EU and to assess its influence over political life and public opinion. The Commission should also propose legislation ensuring the full transparency of political funding and financing of political parties in the EU by stakeholders outside it, MEPs say.

It sounds like the EU is concerned that Russia may be funding pro-Russian organizations in the EU. This "transparency" would then turn into bans.

What is the difference, exactly, between the EU's resolution and what Shaked wants to do?

Oh, yes. One of them protects Jews.

(h/t Slava)



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Posted By Elder of Ziyon to Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News at 6/21/2015 06:00:00 AM