NGO Monitor May 22, 2016
"Breaking the Silence" is Not Above the Law

Jerusalem - In light of the court hearing today regarding the refusal of the
political organization "Breaking the Silence" to hand over details of
alleged military wrongdoings, including the identities of those who claimed
to witness such events, NGO Monitor emphasizes that this organization is not
above the law. Non-governmental organizations, regardless of their political
agenda, should not be shielded from criticism and cannot claim a right to
"immunity" whenever it suits their political objectives. Therefore, they
must act in accordance with norms of democracy, transparency and
accountability.

Breaking the Silence officials have refused to provide details regarding
suspects involved in alleged violations of the laws of war, while at the
same time have used these anonymous testimonies to promote a political
agenda internationally. The NGO's attempt to prevent the IDF and the Israeli
public from being exposed to the whole truth casts doubt on its stated
mission of promoting debate on the morality of the IDF. Instead, Breaking
the Silence conducts its one-sided discussions outside of Israel, in forums
that do not contribute to the promotion of human rights in Israel.

The responsibility for hiding the identities of the alleged criminals is
first and foremost on the funders/enablers, especially those that support
Breaking the Silence's Testimony Collection project. This project
constitutes the mainstay of Breaking the Silence's activity. In it,
anonymous testimonies regarding IDF activities and decisions, devoid of
context or background, are misused in order to promote political campaigns
against the IDF and the state of Israel.

In 2014-2015, Breaking the Silence received NIS 4,587,818 (~$1.1 million)
directly and indirectly from foreign governments. The "Testimonies" project
was funded by the French Consulate in Jerusalem and Broederlijk Delen (a
church-based NGO funded by Belgium). In addition, a publication of
testimonies on the 2014 Gaza War was funded by the Human Rights and
International Law Secretariat in Ramallah (joint funding from Sweden,
Denmark, Netherlands and Switzerland), George Soros's Open Society
Institute, and the church aid organizations Christian Aid (UK), Trocaire
(Ireland) and DanChurch Aid (Denmark and the EU).

NGO Monitor provides information and analysis, promotes accountability, and
supports discussion on the reports and activities of NGOs (non-governmental
organizations) claiming to advance human rights and humanitarian agendas.

© 2016 The Amuta for NGO Responsibility. All Rights Reserved.