Initiative: Probe funding of extreme Left in Israel

Yisrael Beiteinu says has majority to establish parliamentary inquiry commission to investigate cooperation between international 'anti-Zionist' groups and local organizations

Tzvika Brott|Published: 01.04.11 , 09:34

The Yisrael Beiteinu party announced Monday that it has submitted a request to establish a parliamentary inquiry commission into the funding of Israeli organizations accused of working to prosecute IDF soldiers and officers abroad.

According to a report published by the Yedioth Ahronoth daily, Yisrael Beiteinu said a majority of Knesset members support the initiative.

Party member Fania Kirshenbaum said the committee would be tasked, among other things, with identifying the funding sources of these organizations.

"The activity of these Israeli organizations severely harms Israel's legitimacy in the international community," the MK said. "The cooperation between international and Israeli organizations aimed at harming the IDF, its soldiers and officers must be investigated and stopped.

"The activity of these organizations, which is funded primarily by anti-Zionist international organizations and even by foreign countries, constitutes a significant part of the delegitimization campaign against the State of Israel," she said.

Among the organizations the Knesset plans to investigate are B'Tselem, Breaking the Silence and MachsomWatch.

The Knesset is expected to vote on the matter on Wednesday.