On Free Speech and Informed Public Debate: An Open Letter to NIF and
Affiliated NGOs
NGO Monitor 2 February 2010

To ACRI, Bimkom, B'Tselem, Gisha, PCATI, Yesh Din, HaMoked, PHR-I, Rabbis
for Human Rights, and New Israel Fund (NIF):

The recent attacks directed against NGO Monitor's detailed research
represent a dangerous attempt to prevent free speech and informed public
debate on the political role of some NGOs. In particular, in your February
1, 2010 letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, you tendentiously referred to
NGO Monitor as an "extreme group" that "unleashed an unrestrained and
inflammatory [attack]," and implied that we are the "rotten fruits" of
Israeli democracy; B'Tselem's US representative, Mitchell Plitnick, labeled
us "extremists" and "right wing"; and, a few months ago, an NIF employee
posted an indecent graphic on his blog (which was later removed) to
illustrate his opinion of NGO Monitor's publications.

These characterizations are inconsistent with claims to uphold the mantle of
human rights and democracy in Israel. Contrary to the implications of your
letter, NGO Monitor has never contested the right of civil society
organizations to exist or to criticize. And if your rhetoric about upholding
free speech in Israel were matched by your policies, you would uphold our
right as an independent research organization, and the rights of NGOs that
do not share your political views, to do the same.

The critical debate surrounding foreign government funding for NGOs that
undertake political advocacy in Israel is legitimate, and all sides have the
right to be
heard. The concerns about your political activities and their relationship
to campaigns delegitimizing and demonizing Israel are valid. Criticism is
not repression.
These latest attacks are consistent with your continuing refusal to engage
NGO Monitor and other significant critics in meaningful dialogue. Instead,
you have repeatedly avoided debate. Most recently, you were provided the
opportunity for an open platform at a Knesset conference on European
government funding for political NGOs, but chose instead to boycott and
question the legitimacy of this forum.

NGO Monitor remains committed to engaging with you in public debate on the
role of political NGOs in Israeli society and in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
It is time to move beyond counter-productive name-calling and attempts to
silence critics.

Prof Gerald Steinberg and the NGO Monitor staff