Opinion
Mouthpieces for Europe
Anne Herzberg, Naftali Balanson
Published: 20.11.11, 20:02
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37 Talkbacks for this article
1. And you?
Gabriel ,   Tel Aviv   (11.20.11)
You are a right-wing NGO so it's fine that you accept donations from individuals? Israel takes billions a year from the US and of course, there's no problem but a few NGOs get a few million dollars a year, outlaw them!! This is what fascism looks like. What, do you think that Israel is going to be criticized less if BTS is not around? No, you just want to shut down the voices of opposition, to silence anyone who dares question Netanyahu or the settlers.
2. Why not arrest them for treason?
jason white ,   afula, israel   (11.20.11)
These groups should be registered as foreign agents. All foreign money to these n.g.o.s should be taxed at a rate of 150%. Break these treacherous groups up. Is this the same mentality that kapos and Jew catchers had in WWII. Or was it more like the Jews that denounced fellow Jews to the communist party of the f.s.u.? The new Israel fund is trying to destroy Israel. They should be banned from operating here and for sending money to antiZionist groups. All soldiers should be warned not to talk to these n.g.o.s or be court martialed for revealing military secrets or tactics.
3. Why not say ity like it is?
Tarbouche ,   Aswan   (11.20.11)
All the Rightist and leftist bullshit is just that. Truth is Muslim Arabs do not want peace with Christians or Jews. A Hudna is best anyone can expect to allow Muslims time to get stronger and then eliminate the infidel. So long as Islam remains the way it is in the hands of Mullahs, Moulanas financed by and beholden to Wahabis, they will not do democracy either. Should the West decline, and leave India and China with world domination, Islam will revert to type and stone women , and chop limbs off in public squares.
4. The BIGGEST DANGER to Israel.
Armand ,   Los Angeles, USA   (11.20.11)
silence Israelis and Jews all over the world should confront them and silence their lies.
5. BtS
Indignant ,   US   (11.20.11)
It is verily because of groups like BtS and their ilk that Israel and Jews worldwide suffer. I do not personally know if any Jews have suffered physical violence as a result of their harmful activities and pernicious influence... However, if such bad news implicating these traitors EVER comes to light then these pseudo-Jews but real antisemites' days are numbered wherever they might hide!
6. Not BtS, simply BS
Rick ,   Herzlyia   (11.20.11)
7. BDS can be directly rested to these leftist groups funded by
Hippocrates ,   Earth   (11.20.11)
europe. These FAR leftist groups are the bane of Israel
8. eabitbol@rogers.com
Elie Abitbol ,   Canada   (11.21.11)
Why did P.M. Netanyahu freeze the laws affecting the funding of NGOs by foreign governments ? Such activities would never be allowed in any Western democracy. Why should Israel accept this situation ?
9. Cancelled by whom ??? ,...
split ,   US   (11.21.11)
"BtS official was scheduled to speak at an event in Ramallah, hosted by a German NGO. The event was subsequently cancelled"
10. BtS should look at Syria and thank God they live in Israel
(11.21.11)
in a vibrant democracy which allows treacherous, suicidal and hateful scum like themselves, spew their venom. Hopefully, our democracy will find new ways to defend itself from these rabid enemies.
11. #1 Liar liar your pants are on fire
Menachem ,   Israel   (11.21.11)
Btselem, BtS and other left-extremist groups are abusing Israel's democracy and security by demonizing Israel through propaganda wrapped as "criticism". The Israeli public is fed up with your BS and racist lies.
12. have the authors served on the WB?
Devorah ,   Israel   (11.21.11)
The PTSD suffered by many IDF combat veterans, involving guilt over their acts toward Palestinian civilians during their compulsory or reserve army duty, is well documented. Have either of these NGO Monitor staffers served in the IDF in Gaza or the WB?
13. The "Innocent" Left
Joe ,   Israel   (11.20.11)
The "Innocent" left. All through history the biggest enemy of the Jews are the stupid Jews on the left that think that by appeasing an enemy they will have peace. You stupid, stupid people. Don't you realize that the Arabs don't want peace? The only thing that they want is the destruction of Israel and the slaughter of Jews. Don't you remember the Mufti of Jerusalem? He worked together with the Nazis. You have convinced yourselves that the Arabs are a peaceful people. If you love them so much, go live with them. Naturally Israel wants to stop your funding by foreign governments. You are nothing but a fith column who are trying to destroy Israel.
14. No, they do not.
Michael Steiner ,   Bahrain   (11.21.11)
They are for Israeli consumption and their purpose is to show us what a corrupt, hateful and cancerous society/country we've become. Unfortunately, they are succeeding because there's a lot of show us.
15. This is the reaction to the "original" reaction
Arnold ,   Canada   (11.21.11)
Action leads to reaction. As mentioned earlier in the piece the ngo's speak up about the oppression of the Palestinians but never allow anything to be said that the oppression is a result of continual attack by palestinians. So much has occured from 1947 that the current generation only see recent events. How unfair to Israel!
16. These jewish organizations tell the truth about israel
christianpalestinian ,   shanghai   (11.21.11)
Israel can say whatever it wants, but these people are telling the truth and the world is listening.
17. #1, you seriously don't see the difference?
Danny   (11.21.11)
18. These are the things "Israeli Press" fights for, yes?!
tom ,   tel aviv   (11.21.11)
19. In defense of NGOs
deborah ,   Kfar Saba   (11.21.11)
If Israeli soldiers are doing nothing culpable, then Israel has nothing to fear from representatives from this NGO speaking abroad. They speak abroad, obviously, as a way of pressuring the army to restrain soldiers who abuse Palestinian citizens. Covering up abuses does no one any good. Pretending they don't occasionally happen convinces no one.
20. 1#Bill applies..left and right?
james ,   uk/il   (11.21.11)
This bill applies to all NGO`s why is it you only hear the left crying foul play.In most democracys around the world they demand transparency and yet when it comes to Israel....?
21. Never even heard of them...
GD ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (11.21.11)
I live in Israel and have never heard of this group! Obviously they are achieving their goal...not!
22. Mouthpieces for Europe
Mat ,   uk   (11.21.11)
People like them should be barred from coming back to israel are they being paid to do this? and by who
23. #12 "well documented"
Israel Israeli ,   Tel Aviv   (11.21.11)
The PTSD of IDF soldiers is as "well documented" as the rest of "BtS" facts. That is to say, the "facts" are false. As for BtS: Israel could have defeated Hamas and released Gilad Shalit during "Cast Lead". Thanks to BtS, Goldstone could write his blood libel, Hamas not only survived "Cast Lead" but became even stronger, Shalit spent a few more years in Gaza, 500 some of the most filthy murderers are now free to live their lives.
24. I've heard kids in bts talk. they need help
rebecca ,   Modiin   (11.21.11)
These are kids who've had to do stuff that will always worry them - tg they are good kids who know good from bad. In war there are things that have to be done that you dont want to do. However, Bts, instead of helping them get thru their trauma, is making them feel more guilty. It works on them, telling them that even the smallest thing they did, is bad. These kids will land up suicidal, not because of what they've done but because BTS has made what they've done seem like war crimes. BTS should be shut down.
25. If we are to review this article
leo ,   usa   (11.21.11)
along side with the "The danger of stability" by R. DR. Donniel Hartman in parallel thread, then interesting idea comes to mind - what if these people are being created on purpose, to constantly keep Israel on alert and not allow she rest on her laurels and eventually stagnate and be butchered. As repulsive as they are, BtS and their likes might also be needed for Israel's survival. They must be fought, of course, but they must not be defeated completely.
26. #24..rebecca...
Malone ,   Hfx   (11.21.11)
I agree that BTS,and the rest of them should be shut down,but these kids also need a boot in the ass to make them see reality.
27. # 6. Not BtS, simply BS (End) ,...
split ,   US   (11.21.11)
Google 'To See If I Am Smiling' and tell us if that's a BS too ,...
28. I don't think so ...
Guevara ,   Argentina   (11.22.11)
#1: the article discussed the structure and the 'job' of the organisation, but it never refferd to what these soldiers say. It didn't deny it. These are soldiers who worked in the field and know what they do. I think the article is trying to alienate BtS because they say the truth. #2: based on the first point, the article never denies the claims of BtS about human rights violations against the Palestinians... and these violations are made by the "democratic" government of Israel. A country isn't democratic unless it respects human rights ... etc for all humans not just for its citizens. #3: The writer seems to be so bitter about European countries supporting BtS. But don't Europe and the US give massive financial aid to Israel and its army that violates these human rights... Why is that ok while supporting a group that is trying to enhance human rights are such a crime? #4: I partially agree that Israel is not alone responsible for the conflict, but look at the realities now and in the past: Israel is the one who has tab army, and its a strong army, Israel is the one who has no intentions to peace (I mean real peace where Palestinians have an independent country, with full rights, including having an army for Palestinian security as Israel has the right for its security and a country in WB and Gaza based on 1967 borders .....etc). More and more settlements while the Israeli prime minister is talking about negotiations on TV. What peace can be achieved when Israel clearly realizes its power and actually uses it to enforce their conditions and interests.
29. EU subsidizes a headline creating hype industry.
PETER SM ,   AUSTRALIA   (11.22.11)
With paid time they can hang around and irritate soldiers protecting their country. Soldiers who are risking their lives,not knowing when the next person to come by is a suicide bomber, be they man, woman child or grandmother. They are dealing with an enemy that has no moral standards,that will send a woman suicide bomber,to a cancer clinic. Remember the global headlines over a man who had to play the violin he was carrying? By the time the hype industry finished with it ,it sounded like a war crime. Better the sound of a violin than the sound of an explosion .
30. Deborah. Doing nothing wrong can still be presented to keep
PETER SM ,   AUSTRALIA   (11.22.11)
the paymaster happy, as can lack of context, the usual shtick.
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