Israel to vote on bill targeting human rights institutions
JERUSALEM (AA): A ministers’ committee on legislative affairs is set to discuss on Sunday the functioning of human rights institutions in Israel.
The bill, which was proposed by Ariel Kallner, a right-wing Knesset member, targets human rights institutions rejecting the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
“Next week my bill for a significant taxation of foreign state money will come up,” Kallner said in a statement.
“The law is designed to protect civil society in Israel and prevent foreign interests of foreign countries from taking it over,” the official added.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz has said that non-profit organizations will face a tax rate of 65% on their income.
The US has opposed the bill.
“The US supports the essential role of NGOs as part of civil society,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a daily press briefing Wednesday night in Washington.
“We believe they’re critical to democratic and responsive, transparent government. And we firmly believe that civil society should have the opportunity and space to operate and raise resources around the world,” Miller added.
Dozens of Israeli human rights organizations active in Israel criticize the occupation policies in the Palestinian territories. The proposed bill can potentially cripple them, rendering them unable to carry out their work for the welfare of the oppressed.
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