Release Date: 30 June 2009
New Report: Swedish Government Funds Fuel MidEast Conflict
www.ngo-monitor.org

(Jerusalem) - As Sweden assumes the presidency of the European Union,
Jerusalem-based NGO Monitor today released a report detailing Swedish
government funding for radical NGOs under the guise of human rights and
humanitarian aid. The report shows that the activities of these groups
often increase hostility, and are inconsistent with the goals of the EU in
the Middle East. This raises concerns regarding Sweden's ability to lead the
EU in contributing to the peace process.
Swedish government funding for political NGOs is dispersed through a number
of channels, via its development wing, the Swedish International Cooperation
Agency (SIDA). This includes over SEK 100m distributed in 2008 to Diakonia,
Sweden's largest humanitarian NGO.

Diakonia distributes this money to some of the most radical NGOs in the
region, many of whom reject any efforts at normalization. This includes
almost SEK 300,000 to Alternative Information Center in 2008, which has
compared Israeli military and political figures to Nazis and claims working
with Peres Center for Peace is "morally disgusting" and that Shimon Peres is
an "enemy" of "human rights and of peace". Meanwhile, another group Sabeel
received SEK 540,000 from Diakonia in 2008. Sabeel is a leader in the
anti-Israel church divestment campaign. Its Director, Naim Ateek promotes
the one-state solution and regularly employs anti-Semitic theological
themes, referring to the 'Israeli government crucifixion system' which
places 'Jesus.on the cross again, with thousands of crucified Palestinians
around him.'

Between 2006-9, Diakonia directed SEK 46.4m to its International
Humanitarian Law (IHL) program. This is a central framework through which
NGOs promote 'lawfare' against Israel and exploits international law to
advance the Palestinian narrative. A 2008 conference in Brussels sponsored
by the IHL program and attended by Jessica Montell of B'Tselem, members of
Al Haq, and 'lawfare' attorneys, was devoted to exploring further ways to
bombard courts around the world with more dubious lawsuits against Israeli
officials and corporations doing business with Israel.

In 2008, Sweden, with three other European governments, designated $6m for
the NGO Development Center (NDC) in Ramallah. This money was distributed to
25 NGOs, including $400,000 to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights
(PCHR) and $500,000 to Al-Haq - the two groups that spearhead the 'lawfare'
campaign against Israeli officials. Badil, another recipient, is a leader in
the campaign for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

SIDA funds granted directly to NGOs include $813,747 to International
Federation of Human Rights (FIDH). This money allows FIDH to free funds for
specific political campaigns, including charges of 'crimes against humanity'
against Israel during the recent Gaza war. (FIDH official Raji Sourani is
also director of PCHR.)
NGO Monitor's Executive Director, Prof Gerald Steinberg said, "Swedish
government funds are being utilized by NGOs to fuel political attacks
against Israel under the façade of human rights. These policies of SIDA and
Diakonia increase mistrust and exacerbate the conflict, and erode the moral
foundation of international humanitarian law. If Sweden wishes to be viewed
as a fair and effective President of the European Union, this very damaging
NGO funding must be addressed."

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Editors Notes:
Please click here or the link below to view the full NGO Monitor report on
Swedish government funding
www.ngo-monitor.org/article/a_clouded_eu_presidency_swedish_funding_for_radical_ngos

For further information, comment or interviews contact Dan Kosky
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NGO Monitor - 1, Ben Maimon Blvd. - Jerusalem 92262 - Israel - T:
+972-2-566-1020
F: +972-77-511-7030
E: dan.kosky@ngo-monitor.org