How the United Nations Indirectly Funds Hamas
Article by Beniamino Parenzo as an intern at the Jerusalem Institute of Justice.
The United Nation Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Western governments funnel critical financial support to a Hamas-tied “charity” organization in disregard of its known history.
Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international organization based in the United Kingdom that maintains offices around the world, including Gaza and the West Bank. IRW operates, ostensibly, as an international relief and development charity. Their website’s mission statement reads, “inspired by Islamic faith, we have been striving to make the world a better and fairer place.” Apparently, making the world ‘a better and fairer place’ includes financing Hamas.
According to investigations carried out by the Israel Security Agency, IRW has played a central role over the years in channeling money to this terrorist organization. Based on Shin Bet’s findings, Israel’s Defense Minister declared IRW illegal on June 19, 2014 and banned it from operating anywhere in Israel and the West Bank.
This should hardly have come as a surprise to any impartial observer. As long ago as 2006, the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs had designated IRW a terrorist front, noting that “IRW provides support and assistance to Hamas’s infrastructure.” That same year, on May 10th, Israeli police arrested IRW’s Gaza coordinator, Iyaz Ali, who admitted he was aware that “. . . several of the organizations supported by the IRW in Judea, Samaria and Gaza were indeed identified with Hamas.”
A Long History of IRW Ties to Extremist Organizations
While ties to Hamas mark IRW’s most striking alliance, this ‘charity’ organization boasts a long history of personal and financial connections to varied Islamic extremist groups and pro-terror organizations. The reader’s eye cannot fail to notice Al Qaeda-related organizations, including the “Charitable Society for Social Welfare” and “Human Concern International,” as well as the Hamas-funded “Human Appeal International” on the public list of IRW donors. To say this is concerning understates the likely impact of these donors upon IRW actions.
Not only does the IRW receive funds from terrorist organizations, but some of its trustees and directors have long-maintained personal ties to other extremist organizations. For instance, Essam El-Haddad, a former trustee of both IRW and Islamic Relief UK, left IRW in 2012 to become the National Security Advisor for Egypt’s former President, Mohamed Morsi, of the Muslim Brotherhood party. Abdul Wahab Noorwali, another trustee of IRW, was the Assistant Secretary General of the “World Assembly of Muslim Youth,” an association that the U.S. government has accused of linkage to Osama Bin Laden and the Hamas leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. In 2003, Yassin thanked the World Assembly of Muslim Youth for their continued financial support. Ahmed Al-Rawi, a director of IRW, was the former head of the “Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe” and president of the “Muslim Association of Britain,” both regarded as groups aligned with the European Muslim Brotherhood. And the list goes on.
The Funding of IRW by UNOCHA
While shutting off IRW funding to Hamas falls outside the scope of international mandates, those who defend democracy and human rights might well expect the United Nations to act in concert with Europe and the United States to limit, where possible, IRW access to western funds. To the contrary, the U.N. funds IRW, provoking this compelling question: “what motivates the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), under-written by Western governments, to provide direct financial support to IRW and, thereby, to provide indirect financial support to Hamas through IRW?”
UNOCHA, an arm of the United Nations Secretariat, serves as the primary coordinator of NGO funding and activity and is charged with responsibility “for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.” UNOCHA determines the relative priorities and needs of societies in crisis, sets strategic response objectives and coordinates the funding of local NGOs tasked with meeting those needs by defining so-called Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs).
IRW has been permitted to continue its activities as a “Participating Organization” in UNOCHA’s HRPs, despite the decree issued by the Israeli Defense Minister that bans the organization for its financial ties with Hamas.
All funding records managed by UNOCHA are publicly accessible from the Financial Tracking Service (FTS) database. Taking into account both the pledged and paid contributions made to IRW after the 2014 banning decree, this organization has been given, or promised, more than $80 million U.S. Dollars through the UNOCHA humanitarian coordinating mechanism. The European Union, United Kingdom and Sweden are listed alongside other stated donors to IRW.
An Unacceptable Situation
Who would not wish to believe that the governments named above were unaware of the alleged role played by IRW in financing what they themselves deem a terrorist organization? However, following the Israeli warrant against IRW in 2014, the NGO Monitor made a formal inquiry into the funding of Hamas through IRW. While all of the entities named above did reply, none took a position on IRW’s alleged misconduct, nor did they implement a satisfactory monitoring mechanism to track the spending of funds donated to IRW. In other words, the status quo was reaffirmed.
In short, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) sustains a long, unbroken history of ties with controversial extremist groups that has been banned from operating in Israel and the West Bank because of its role in funneling money to Hamas. Yet, this same organization receives funds from multiple Western governments through a mechanism set up, approved, and controlled by the United Nations. None of these entities have addressed the unchallengeable Israeli claim that IRW channels money to a known terrorist organization.
This is not science fiction, though it would have seemed so a few short years ago. We cannot answer the question raised earlier about the motivations which direct U.N. funding of Hamas through Islamic Relief Worldwide. However, whatever the motivation, the unbelievable, unacceptable and shocking truth which connects UNOCHA to extremism and terrorism demands immediate, corrective action by the United Nations.
This article originally appeared in The Times Of Israel, here.
Getting BDS Right
This past week, the founder of the BDS movement, Omar Barghouti, was denied entrance into the United States.
Barghouti’s chief allies claimed this amounted to a gross human rights violation. Others charge the Trump administration for failing to uphold press freedoms. Some American Jewish leaders, notably Peter Beinart, argued that providing a platform for Barghouti’s views would have demonstrated the maturity and vitality of Judaism.
Here is how Barghouti himself characterized the move: “Israel is not merely continuing its decades-old system of military occupation, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing. It is increasingly outsourcing its outrageous McCarthyite repression to the U.S., and to xenophobic, far right cohorts across the world.”
To weigh their criticisms, right or wrong, we have to get BDS itself right.
Omar Barghouti is a Qatari who grew up in Egypt, moved to Israel, and then styled himself a Palestinian. He belongs to a wealthy, politically connected Arab clan that includes two cousins active in explicit anti-Israel terrorism.
Barghouti has written books in Arabic which deny any ancient Jewish claims to the Land; repudiate decades of international law which gave sovereignty to Israel alongside similar grants of sovereignty for other Arab states; and ignore the absolute rejection by Palestinians of multiple Israeli offers to share peace within the Land. He believes Jews in Israel never had, and so do not have, even today, any rights to collective self-determination, and has often stated that “no Palestinian can ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine.” Interviewed after the visa denial, Barghouti repeated the baseless charge on which he founded BDS: “Since its creation, Israel has always been an apartheid state.”
The American action may well have arisen from conviction that Barghouti is, at root, an anti-Semite working slyly by stages towards the elimination of Israel. This accords with his life history, BDS strategy and numerous public statements. It would hardly represent a novel interpretation by the Trump administration. Many have charged Barghouti with antisemitism over the years. His scheduled NYC workshop included one main speaker recently fired by CNN, hardly a conservative outlet, as an anti-Semite. The other has stalwartly defended Ilhan Omar against all-too-credible charges of antisemitism.
The novelty, even shock that Barghouti experienced over his rejection, comes from this President’s continued determination to act upon pronouncements which have often served as mere diplomatic posturing for past administrations. This decision may also be connected with the recent appointment of Elan Carr as the face of U.S. opposition to BDS and growing antisemitism world-wide.
Some have suggested another reason the American government has refused comment on Barghouti’s visa denial. They, as well as the Israelis, may suspect he planned other activities along the way similar to the ones which led to criminal tax evasion charges in 2017.
In any case, the visa denial could not have stemmed from the obvious delusion that this would somehow suppress, successfully, the speech rights of Omar Barghouti, let alone from some absurd, hypocritical right-wing ‘fear’ of free speech. Undoubtedly, and this must have been anticipated, his trip has received far more public attention, even sympathy, than if he had traveled physically. Notably, those condemning the American position have not commented on Barghouti’s virtual presence at the same panels for which he was scheduled. Some of these critics have been central participants to these discussions.
For Barghouti, this could become a case of ‘be careful what you wish for, lest it happen’. He has always craved the media spotlight, which has now been turned up brighter than ever before. Naturally, he has wasted no time in reframing his finely-honed narrative to include this unexpected embarrassment. However, first Israel, and now America, has put Barghouti on public notice that they are also watching his actions, on- and off-stage, with ever-increasing attention. The latter may finally be getting BDS right.
Amnesty International- Hamas excessive use of force
March 28th, 2019
Amnesty International Israel
Kibutz Galuyot Rd. 32
Tel Aviv – Yaffo
Dear Amnesty International,
As an NGO who shares the objective of defending human rights, we endorse your condemnation of terrorist organization Hamas’ brutal and excessive use of force against Palestinian protesters, journalists, and human rights workers and your related call for action.
The Jerusalem Institute of Justice strongly condemns how Hamas’ security forces countered the peaceful Palestinian demonstration known as “The revolt of the hungry” on March 14th. We want to express our contempt for Hamas’ actions such as arbitrary arrests, beatings, torture and the use of grenades and live ammunition. Not only did the Palestinian population suffer, so did journalists and human right workers. We decry the detention of Hind Khoudary and the threats directed towards her.
We understand that this event affected your organization on a personal level. And this makes us wonder, where were the reports on Hamas’ previous crimes against the Palestinian population when you were not personally targeted? Why would you only raise issue with Hamas’ atrocities now?
Since 2016, 17.000 Palestinian children have been used and abused for military purpose. Where have you been? Where were you when Hamas opened summer camps for Palestinian children where they ‘enjoy’ various activities such as military training and Hamas ideology indoctrination?
It suggests that you genuinely care about Human Rights violations. However, only when they happen on your doorstep, with your own people involved. Moreover, because the use of excessive force by Hamas against its own population reached alarming levels long before March 14th 2019, may we ask what makes this event different?
Apart from these critical questions, we support your recent condemnation and your call for action regarding Hamas’ human rights violations on March 14th. Better now than never. And we see your statement about watching the Gaza authorities and your call for investigations as a message of hope. We therefore look forward to your follow up reports and reply on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Flavia Sevald, CEO
Jerusalem Institute of Justice
UN-Believable?
Article by Charlotte Van Der Gucht.
The UN report on the Gaza demonstrations condemns Israel. No surprise.
The weekly “great march” alongside the security fence was supposed to be a totally peaceful demonstration by Palestinian civilians. However, with Hamas working behind the scenes on the Palestinian side, this demonstration turned into a violent confrontation. In February of this year, the United Nations (UN) presented their findings on the Gaza demonstrations held between March and December 2018.
Both parties’ actions during the demonstrations were investigated. However, the UN report is largely dedicated to the condemnation of only one party, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). The commission mainly accuses IDF soldiers of killing demonstrators who didn’t pose an imminent threat to life, including children.
The UNknown: Objectivity is sought but rarely present
The UN’s report is drafted by an ‘independent international commission of inquiry’. But how reliable is such a commission if we look at the overall relation between the UN and Israel?
Every year for the past five years, over 20 UN resolutions have been directed against the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel. Whereas approximately 5 UN resolutions were directed at all countries in the world, combined! Let’s be clear: over a striking 80% of the UN resolutions were directed against Israel only. Israel does not claim to be faultless, but these numbers are astonishing.
Critical questions and concerns from members of the international community such as the UN are essential for the sake of justice. However, these numbers reveal a disproportionate targeting of Israel. It makes one wonder how objective this UN report is.
UNbelievable
“In the commission’s view, the demonstrations were civilian in nature.”
The report mentions that 183 allegedly ‘innocent’ Palestinians lost their lives. However, the statistics of the Intelligence and Terrorism information center (ITIC) confirm that “as for the identity of the fatalities 150 of 183 Palestinians were found to be affiliated with Hamas or with other terrorist organizations”.
The IDF qualified their actions by stating that members of Hamas were among the civilian protestors. They were responding to a new security threat, as the protests masked terror activities which include the launching of both incendiary kites and balloons filled with explosives. These in many cases were thrown by children. The devices caused many thousands of acres of farmland, animals and wildlife to burn creating an ecological disaster.
“Children are intentionally killed by the IDF”
35 of the 183 Palestinian losses were unfortunately children. The UN report accuses the IDF of having intentionally killed these children. But the real question is, who is responsible for these losses? The report does not reveal the sad context of Hamas using children as a method of warfare. Children are used as both human shields and child soldiers.
The education system in the Gaza strip, controlled by Hamas, systematically encourages children from a very young age to join the battle, to become martyrs. Later on, as adolescents they will attend summer camps where they will undergo military training. Ultimately, the children will be brainwashed to believe that Israel is their enemy, up to the point where they will join the demonstrations and risk their lives for the sake of Hamas. This is a despicable method, however, one that is never condemned by the UN.
Not only the Palestinian children, but the entire Palestinian population suffers under Hamas’ de facto control. Hundreds of protesters were paid to join the protests and others were coerced. Why did the UN report not mention this abuse even once? Again, critical reports and concerns on the conflict and demonstrations must be raised. But wouldn’t it be fair to investigate both sides with the same attention?
Adhering to international standards
It is beyond any dispute that alleged misconducts of IDF soldiers should be investigated and if necessary prosecuted. But the question is by whom? The UN calls upon the International Criminal Court (The ICC) in The Hague to investigate the actions of IDF soldiers. However, the ICC has no standing if Israel takes care of the investigations itself. This is what is called the principle of complementarity.
This principle is simple but ultra-relevant: The ICC cannot investigate alleged crimes when a country domestically opens a serious investigation adhering to international standards.
The Turkel Commission (consisting of independent international legal observers), in 2013, verified that the Israeli self-investigation system meets these international standards. An example of Israel’s willingness to scrutinize itself, is the case of IDF soldier, Elor Azaria.
Azaria shot in the head and fatally wounded a neutralized terrorist while standing less than 2 meters away from him. This disproportionate reaction has been investigated and led to the conviction of Elor Azaria for manslaughter on 4th of January 2017. This case proves that Israel is not afraid to investigate their own defense forces, although the investigations received a lot of criticism from the Israeli public. Examining your own defense forces is not a popular policy. Nevertheless, Israel continues to do so for the sake of justice and democracy.
Silencing Critical Voices
Article by Catarina Gruber.
The United Nations General Assembly granted Palestine the status of a non-member observer state on November 29, 2012. This status enabled Palestine to ratify international conventions and treaties and join over 115 international organizations and agencies.
By upgrading the international status to a non-member observer state, Palestine was also able to join the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Hence, Palestine is permitted to sue Israel for acts that take place in their territory, such as alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.
However, Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority do not themselves comply with the basic principles of international law and human rights. Abbas rules over Palestine with an iron fist. Abbas is implicated in the many cases of unlawful imprisonment, torture and murder of the civilian population of the West Bank, including his political rivals and critics.
Abbas shows no compunction when silencing critical voices. Issa Amro, a prominent Facebook activist, who dared to speak out against the Palestinian Authority in a post, was arrested and imprisoned for seven days for the crimes of insulting “higher authorities” and creating a “sectarian strife” in 2017.
Torture is carried out by Abbas’ forces on a large scale. More than 180 Palestinian civilians are tortured yearly. Young men from Balata Refugee Camp, widely known as a central point of resistance against Abbas, were detained on allegations of criminal activity in 2017. Palestinian security forces subjected them to prolonged torture, repeatedly using grave physical violence, and locking them into tiny 60cm by 60cm cubicles with nearly no possibility to move. The accused were kept imprisoned in those spaces for up to 22 hours a day for 22 consecutive days.
Mahmoud Abbas’ reputation as a peacemaker is just a façade that hides his true identity and agenda. The peace process came to a halt long before the US decision to relocate their embassy to Jerusalem. There are strong allegations of Abbas having played a role in the 1972 massacres at the Munich Olympics and the continual payments made to Palestinian terrorists and their families cause additional cracks in the veneer Abbas hides behind.
The misery of the Palestinian population in Gaza is also largely due to Abbas’ inadequacy as a leader. He has reduced the electricity supply, provoked healthcare bottlenecks and has stopped the payment of salaries of officials in Gaza. He wants to bring his strongest political rivals, the Hamas, to their knees even if the price is the suffering of the civilian population.
However, whenever Abbas visits Brussels, he is warmly welcomed like an old friend of the European Union. As one of the initiators of the 1993 Oslo Accords, he is considered moderate. Thus, his administration continues to be sponsored by the EU with hundreds of millions of euros. No consequences, certainly not financial ones, have been imposed because of Abbas’ appalling actions.
The more accusations against Mahmoud Abbas came to light, the more obvious it became that his actions could not be ignored any longer. The Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ) took initiative and started a legal examination of the crimes committed by Abbas. While collecting data, the testimonies against Abbas grew and the number of cases reached an alarming amount. In consultation with experts in international law the JIJ rendered the factual data into a legal report.
On February 20, 2019 the JIJ submitted a communication to the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague regarding crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian citizens in the West Bank by Mahmoud Abbas. In a meeting with the OTP the issue was taken very seriously, and constructive thoughts were shared. This tribunal has the moral responsibility to bring the perpetrator of such horrific crimes to justice.
6 Moral Teachings from Assad and other Criminals
Written by Yarden Biyalistok Cohen
Before addressing our topic, I would like to thank you readers, for not letting hate and prejudice guide your life, and for your willingness to establish your perspective on facts and on more than one point of view.
The topic we are about to discuss is regarding the resolutions made by the UN General Assembly on November 29, also known as "Palestine Day". I won't try to argue against the very existence of such a day, although trying to promote an "Israel Day" at the UN would be a better joke than having a day dedicated to bicycles, or the full moon (both are real by the way and take place at the 30th of April and June 3rd respectively, or even better "Tuna day" which occurs on the 2nd of May).
Six resolutions were made on "Palestine Day", and were signed by countries that are almost the dictionary definition of an oppressive tyranny, and human rights violators, such as Sudan, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. The resolutions of the General Assembly all addressed Israel, and were aimed at undermining its legitimacy and sovereignty. On that day, the Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People Cheikh Niang (Senegal), wore a scarf that revealed his “objectivity”, and his willingness to let the discussion be “impartial”. On the scarf, of course, was the flag of the Palestinian Authority (maybe on May 2nd he will show up in a scarf showing solidarity with the tuna fish).
In most cases, we would simply continue by stating that the demonization of Israel and the Jewish people is not news. Unfortunately Anti-Semitism was around way before the establishment of the UN and most likely to stay here after it. Nevertheless, the first of the 6 resolutions calls for the deliberation on "fifty years of occupation" and to express solidarity and support to the Palestinians. The second resolution asks to continue the collaboration with the Palestinian people and their leaders, widen the scope of documentation and expand the Question of Palestine’s website. The third resolution asks to continue investigations into the legal ramifications of the "Israeli West Bank Barrier". The Security Fence is exactly that, a fence that was built to stop the entrance of suicide bombers and other terrorists into Israel, and the last part of it was finished back in 2006. The Security Fence was under meticulous scrutiny by the Israeli Justice system. This General Assembly resolution only emphasizes its real goals, to undermine Israeli sovereignty. As proof the committee asks to investigate within Israel's territory, not just the areas where the Security Fence is located. I wonder if the final report would state that the proof that the Fence is unnecessary is that the investigating operatives were not actually killed by suicide bombers.
The fourth and fifth resolutions express concern regarding the provocation that took place at Jerusalem's Holy Sites, during Tisha B'av which is a Jewish day of grief, remembering the desolation of both Temples. The Jewish people in Israel requested to pray at the Temple Mount, which is inside Israel's borders. The Jordanian press published bombastic headlines like "The Jews are storming al-Aqsa", which painted the act of praying with false war-like colors, aiming to harm Israel's legitimacy. Apparently you deserve freedom to worship only if you are not Jewish.
The last resolution sheds an even brighter light upon the infamous UN bias against Israel. The resolution calls for Israel to give back the Israeli Golan Heights to Syria (that is also a signatory of the resolution). Israel annexed the Golan Heights after Syria attacked in 1973; the attack took place on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, a day of fasting for the Jewish people. The Syrian forces rushed into the Israeli cities aiming to annihilate them. After Israel repelled the attack, the government decided to annex the Israeli Golan as a natural security border. A portion of the mountain ridge stayed in Syrian hands, thus serving as a natural boundary for both countries.
Since then, that front has been quiet, showing how Israel has managed to use a mountain as a peace resource. The people of the Golan Heights (almost all are Druze) have established good and ongoing relations with the Israeli people and the Israeli government. They enjoy freedom, equality, economic development and of course human rights. Their brothers and sisters that are unfortunately not on the Israeli side of the border, have suffered oppression from the Syrian regime, the Syrian civil war, and have also fallen victim of extermination attempts by ISIS.
During the Syrian civil war Israel has done its best to relieve civilians from as much suffering as possible, by using its military to provide to countless Syrian civilians with medical assistance. The very existence of Israel serves as protection to Syrian citizens who flee to the border. Israel has cared for the wellbeing of the Syrian people far more than the Syrian regime, who has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of their own people.
This resolution asks to cede Israeli territory to Syria and by doing that further increase the body count. Israel of course cannot accept this resolution since it jeopardizes the safety and security of its citizens, Jews, Arabs and Druze. In addition, I want to ask you, if you can help me find the connection between this resolution and the Palestinian people’s suffering?
As Israelis, we lost our trust in the UN long ago. From here it seems as if it serves as an international Anti-Semitic arm, which promotes the exact opposite ideals than the ones it was founded upon. I urge you to help reclaim truth and reason! Help us protect our Druze brothers, our freedom of worship, and the purity of intentions in the UN.
A lifeline for women caught in a cycle of prostitution
This Israeli Facebook group is a lifeline for women caught in a cycle of prostitution
Read Original Article Here
Dorit, 45, who has turned to prostitution on and off since she was a teenager, knew she needed to find a new apartment. The massive amount of clothing and household appliances that she splurged on with the fast cash she made on the street hardly left enough room for her bed.
But without supportive family members or friends, the task of clearing out and selling these items — plus moving her stuff to a new place — seemed physically and financially impossible. But she knew that getting away from this baggage was key to continuing a rehabilitation course — one that taught her job skills and confronted her psychological issues.”
Dorit, who lives in Tel Aviv, Israel, asked that her real name not be used due to the sensitive nature of her story.
Related: This sex trafficking survivor is moving on — by learning how to code
In December, a woman from Dorit's rehabilitation program worked with her on a Facebook post asking for assistance with the move. Within hours, several people Dorit had never met offered to lend a hand, and a few days later, these strangers were packing alongside her, transporting her things and painting her new rental.
“I really don’t know what I would have done without them,” Dorit said recently, adding that she's been able to make a fresh start, and so far, she has stayed out of prostitution.
The volunteers who came to Dorit aid are part of an Israeli, Hebrew-language Facebook group made up of women currently, formerly or trying to get out of prostitution, and other people who simply want to help. The group, called Lo Omdot Mineged, Hebrew for “Not Standing By Idly,” was started up jointly by Naama Goldberg, a self-described feminist, college instructor, doctoral candidate in gender studies, and a mother of three boys who lives near Tel Aviv, and Atar Artzi, a landscape architect and fellow feminist activist.
Related: We asked listeners why they can't quit Facebook. Here's what you said.
The group, now registered as a nonprofit organization, has provided support to hundreds of women — fulfilling requests for everything from groceries to clothing to raising money for an abortion when a woman got pregnant by a client. Most find out about the group through word of mouth.
“We don’t tell these women what to do; if someone wants help, she gets help, that’s it. ... We are all about action.”
Naama Goldberg, Lo Omdot Mineged, founder
“We don’t tell these women what to do; if someone wants help, she gets help, that’s it,” Goldberg explained. “We are all about action.”
Goldberg got the idea for the group after posting a request for donations on her personal Facebook page to help with university tuition payments for a former prostitute she met at a women’s rights rally in Tel Aviv. Within hours, the money was raised. So, Goldberg created Lo Omdot Mineged, thinking it would be a small forum for people willing to contribute in whatever ways they could. Now, it has more than 11,000 members all over the country.
“We never imagined it would be like this,” Goldberg said.
Related: Prostitution takes center stage as Spanish feminists rally to eliminate violence against women
Israel's 'revolution' in managing prostitution
The group has grown at a time of stepped-up efforts in Israel to reduce prostitution and provide assistance to the 12,000 people in sex work across the country — 95 percent of whom are women — according to a recent government survey. In December, the government passed a long-awaited law criminalizing the buying of sex, imposing fines on those who hire prostitutes but not punishing the prostitutes themselves.
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This makes Israel the 10th country worldwide to embrace this so-called Nordic model, which originated in Sweden, where it has been credited with reducing prostitution, although experts are still divided on its effectiveness. In 2014, the European Parliament also passed a nonbinding resolution backing the Nordic model, saying this approach gives dignity to women in prostitution.
Along with the bill, the Israeli government earmarked about $30 million to be spent over three years for increased social and rehabilitative services to help people leave prostitution and for educational programs for those caught hiring prostitutes.
“We have seen a complete change in the last decade in the way the government and society relate to this issue.”
Flavia Sevald, Chief Executive Officer of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice
“We have seen a complete change in the last decade in the way the government and society relate to this issue,” said Flavia Sevald, chief executive of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, a nongovernmental organization promoting human rights and a member of the Coalition Against Prostitution in Israel, a group whose lobbying efforts have been credited with helping create the new law.
In a politically fractured country, the issue has also been one of few that unites the right and the left.
Related: She was forced into sex work. Now that she’s left that behind, she dreams of being a doctor.
“We all put our egos aside and worked as a group,” said Idit Harel Shemesh, founder of the nonprofit organization Mythos, which raises public awareness about prostitution.
Even though the law does not come into effect until 2020, a drop in demand for paid sex has already resulted, and more women have contacted organizations to help them leave prostitution, as they see a threat to their source of income, Shemesh said. While these are widely seen as positive developments, she adds, some in prostitution also fear that their only source of income will be gone.
She says that more efforts are needed to help people transition out of prostitution, which is often a long and difficult process. The industry generates more than $300 million a year in Israel, according to a recent government study.
“It’s quite amazing to be part of this revolution in Israel,” said Reuma Schlesinger, former director of the Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution, a project of the nonprofit Justice Works and a local law firm, which is also part of the Coalition Against Prostitution in Israel. “But it’s also more complicated than it seems when you go into the details.”
Transgender people are especially vulnerable, she says, as there are few social services aimed at them — and transgender prostitutes aren't as welcome by many nonprofits and charities that help females in sex work, according to Schlesinger.
Related: A Dutch brothel where women work for themselves
Leaving prostitution takes 'enormous effort'
To get out of prostitution, it almost always requires addressing issues like mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction and emotional challenges, in addition to often not having job skills or social and familial support needed to make a living on their own, said Lilach Tzur Ben-Moshe, founder of Turning the Tables, an Israeli nonprofit organization that teaches sewing, design, business and life skills to women who have left prostitution.
Many of the women in her program ended up in prostitution after a long chain of other challenges, including poverty, childhood abuse, addiction and estrangement from their families, all of which need to be addressed, she said.
“For these women, to leave prostitution, it’s like going from one world to another,” Tzur Ben-Moshe said. “It takes enormous effort.”
Groups like Turning the Tables have increasingly relied on Lo Omdot Mineged to find supplementary support like food and clothing for women they are helping. They see the Facebook group playing an even bigger role once the anti-prostitution law comes into effect, leaving many women with no choice but to seek help.
“It’s such a simple idea, but really a genius idea,” Tzur Ben-Moshe said. “And it has helped so many women in my program remain strong enough to stay in my program.”
Goldberg and her 12-member volunteer staff vets and approves each request for help, often posting it on Facebook under their names after getting private messages both from women in prostitution currently, or previously, and social workers or program representatives. In most cases, the volunteers and women in need don’t meet face-to-face. Instead, Lo Omdot Mineged makes anonymous arrangements to deliver food or other items.
“I need to make sure I protect the privacy and safety of both sides,” Goldberg said. “So, it’s usually a ‘Secret Santa’ type of transaction.”
Sometimes, however, face-to-face meetings occur when volunteers help people move or make a hospital visit, for instance.
“We have developed deeper relationships with many of them, and over time, they begin to open up and ask for more serious help, help in getting out of prostitution altogether,” Goldberg said.
One former prostitute recently credited the group with providing the support she needed last year to stop seeking clients in Tel Aviv’s central bus station. Knowing that there were people who would bring her food and listen to her gave her the strength to get sober.
“Thank you to everyone in the group, this is the first time in my life that I don’t feel scared. I know I always have a listening ear and that there are good people in the world."
Anonymous, former sex worker who received support from Lo Omdot Mineged Facebook group
“Thank you to everyone in the group, this is the first time in my life that I don’t feel scared. I know I always have a listening ear and that there are good people in the world,” she wrote, after describing how a violent sexual attack and attempted robbery was the incident that finally pushed her to reach out to her doctor and begin to change her life.
She also included a note to those in the group who are still in prostitution: “To anyone who reads this and wants to get out of the cycle, just say so, and you will be wrapped in love.”
ANTI-PROSTITUTION LEGISLATION
JIJ has been a key player in promoting a legislative model based on Swedish legislation in the Israeli Knesset. The proposed law will prohibit the purchase of sexual services, placing legal responsibility on the buyer and not on the people enslaved in the industry. This bill also creates the social infrastructure that will support those individuals looking to escape their torment.
The criminalization of the purchase of sex services is key in diminishing this industry and liberating its victims. This is due to several compelling reasons. First, criminalization in other countries have proven to be more effective in curbing demand for prostitution, while administrative penalties, that is to issue fines, have proven to be less effective. Second, Israel is a strong democratic country that upholds the rule of law. This means that citizens are more likely to be deterred if a certain act is criminalized, as they will be held accountable. Third, the shame and social stigma of a criminal offence is a powerful deterrent. Fourth, the guilt and recklessness of purchasers of sex services is serious and warrants criminal punishment. Finally, criminalizing the purchase of sex services is crucial in demolishing the sex trafficking epidemic.
SUCCESS!
ISRAEL PASSES LAW BANNING THE BUYING OF SEX
31/12/2018
The Knesset unanimously passed a law forbidding the buying of sex, as Israel joins other countries that have taken this route in recent years such as Sweden and France.
According to the law, which passed in a 34-0 vote, anyone buying or attempting to buy sex would be fined 2,000 shekels ($534), which doubles for a second offense. For any further violations the offender could be prosecuted and the fine could reach 75,300 shekels.
The law goes into effect in a year and a half, to give the state a chance to create rehabilitation services for prostitutes. An inter-ministerial committee on reducing prostitution recommended that the government allocate tens of millions of shekels for this purpose.
In 2016, the Welfare Ministry estimated there were 11,420-12,730 sex workers driving the country’s NIS 1.2 billion ($318 million) industry. According to that report, 71 percent of prostitutes said they began sex work out of financial desperation, and 76% said they would leave the industry if they could.
Punishing prostitution clients was first introduced by Sweden in its 1999 Sex Purchase Act — since adopted by Norway, Iceland, Canada, France, and Northern Ireland — which requires consumers to pay a fine or face up to six months in jail.
the Rights of the Child
November 20, 2018 Jerusalem, Israel
Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Human Rights Treaties Division (HRTD)
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais Wilson - 52, rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva (Switzerland)
Dear Honorable Members of the United Nations,
On the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), we, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, appeal to you in order to improve the implementation of the rights of all children in the world.
Twenty-nine years ago, the world made a commitment to promote and protect the rights of its children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child constituted a major advance as it recognized children as right holders and created a positive obligation to treat them with equality, respect and dignity. Without doubt, the CRC has been an important source of inspiration for many countries and has led to substantial changes in laws to safeguard the child’s most fundamental human rights.
Despite these policies, an increasing number of children have been subjected to unspeakable violence in warfare in the past year. As verified by the United Nations, more than 21,000 serious transgressions of children’s rights have occurred from January to December 2017. One amongst many, is the use of children as human shields during hostilities – a tactic that has become increasingly present in contemporary conflict, notably in Gaza. Indeed, it is well known that Hamas – the de facto governing authority of the Gaza strip since 2007 – actively hides behind innocent lives to ensure its own survival. Children constitute one of its main targets as they are indoctrinated to an ideology of martyrdom and are incited to take part in suicide missions from a very young age. As a result, children become casualties of the cruelty of war, are deprived of normal childhood experiences and see their possible opportunities for the future reduced. More importantly, this practice comes as a serious breach to the very essence of the CRC. We express sincere concern for the future of children in the Middle East, as at the time of this writing, 230,000 children in Gaza are being indoctrinated and educated to an ideology of hatred.
We, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, firmly condemn such immoral practices and believe, as per Ms. Virginia Gamba – the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflicts –, that parties to conflict should be shielding children from the atrocities of war instead of allowing them to be exploited as human shields, “when your own house or your school can be attacked without qualms, when traditional safe-havens become targets, how can boys and girls escape the brutality of war?”.
We are urging the international community to put an end to this policy and bring justice to the children.
The Jerusalem Institute of Justice (“JIJ”) is a not-for-profit human rights organization that works towards the cultivation of civil justice and democracy. Our sole focus is the development and defense of human rights and providing true democracy for all. More precisely, we hold our focus on the protection of the people who are especially vulnerable to abuse of human rights, particularly children in armed conflict.
Yours sincerely,
Flavia Sevald, CEO
Jerusalem Institute of Justice
Boycotting the Boycotters
By Nikki Golomb.
Former Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters is facing severe backlash from the German Jewish community for his open support for the BDS (boycott, divest, and sanction) movement and for anti-Semitic accusations.
Sound familiar? It should. The same events transpired in 2013, when the Dusseldorf Jewish community advocated a boycott of Waters’ concert following anti-Semitic incidents in his Brussels concert. Those included such things as floating a giant pig balloon with a Jewish star on it, accusing Israel of apartheid, and urging other artists to join him in his boycott until Israel complies with the double standards held against it by much of the international order.
Recently, Roger Waters released a recital of Mohammed Darwish's poem, "The Penultimate Speech of the 'Red Indian' to the White Man," recited to the background of an oud playing traditional Palestinian music. The poem, and the timing of its release - soon after Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel - was a deliberate attempt to equate Israel and the United States with white colonialists, and the Palestinians with the helpless Indians who are defenseless against the "erection of the 'white man's' world on their remains." The poem finishes with the question: "Where, oh white master, are you taking my people... and yours?" Waters’ implication, that in recognizing Jewish history Trump was the white master forcing Palestinians out of Jerusalem, is a distortion. Firstly, it is implying American sovereignty over Jerusalem, which is not the case. Secondly, Trump’s statement did nothing to diminish the rights of Palestinians in Jerusalem. Furthermore, equating the plight of Palestinians to that of the First Nations people in the Americas is a problematic analogy, particularly in light of the hundreds of years of difference between the cases.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which previously supported Waters’ seemingly innocent criticism of Israel, reexamined his words and actions in 2013. In an open letter to Waters they expressed the conclusion that his views “are in fact colored by offensive and dangerous undercurrents of anti-Jewish sentiment.” The letter ended with the hope that he would use his fame and talent instead to promote peace in a constructive and positive way.
In the four years that have passed, however, not much seems to have changed. Still a vocal supporter of BDS and still accused of public anti-Semitism, Waters is once again facing a boycott of his concert from Germany’s Jewish community. In addition to the boycott, Cologne citizen Malca Goldstein-Wolf wrote a petition – signed by over 1,300 people – requesting public broadcasting services to cancel their plans to air his concerts. As a result of the petition and accusations of anti-Semitism against him, “five state television and radio affiliates of the national ARD network” have complied with the requests of the petition and will not be airing his concert.
In an attempt to distance themselves from the horror of the Holocaust and the anti-Semitism preceding it, the German government implemented strict laws outlawing the spread of anti-Semitic ideologies. Various forms are illegal in Germany, including Holocaust denial, approval of Nazism, the use of Nazi symbols, and the sale of Hitler’s autobiography Mein Kampf. Anti-Semitism, however, remains relatively high in the region. Twenty-seven percent of adults in Germany harbor anti-Semitic views, according to a variety of indicators related to the perception of Jewish national loyalty, control of the economy and media, etc. This dichotomy highlights the ideological distance between the government and the people with regard to their perception of Jews. The success of this boycott, however, marks an important change in which German society and government are working together to fight against anti-Semitism in the country.
But what is the integrity of responding to a boycott with a boycott? While it is important to stop hate speech before it happens, is it not a bit problematic to use their own tactics against them? Marek Lieberberg is both Waters’ tour director and the son of Holocaust survivors. While he rejects BDS, he also does not want to deny Waters his freedom of opinion. On the other hand, boycotting a BDS supporter sends a direct message to the movement regarding the meaning behind its actions. Organizing a boycott of Waters’ show in Germany serves the dual purpose of rejecting anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, while also encouraging BDS supporters to think about what exactly they are boycotting.
In an incident that reflects the flip side of the same coin, Australian rock star Nick Cave made the decision to perform in Israel because of BDS. After being presented with a petition calling for artists to boycott Israel and refusing to sign it, Cave stated, “I like Israel and Israelis, and it’s important for me to do something of substance about it.” He booked a tour in Israel in direct response to the BDS movement gaining traction among artists, thus bringing light to the effects the movement has on many facets of society.
There is a very fine line between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and anti-Semitism. However, Waters’ support for BDS, while using anti-Semitic imagery in his concerts and publicly accusing Israel of apartheid, leaves no doubt that his actions are truly anti-Semitic. Staging a boycott of his tour in Germany sends the message to BDS supporters that anti-Semitism has no place in public art. Hopefully, awareness of the cause and the boycott itself will encourage others to question the purpose of the BDS movement and its effects on both Israel and the international order.