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European Nations Review Funding of Anti-Israel NGOs
(NGO Monitor) On June 16, the Dutch Parliament approved a proposal requiring the government to review funding for NGOs that promote BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) targeting Israel. A similar debate and vote is scheduled in the Swiss Parliament on June 17. The Dutch and Swiss governments, along with Sweden and Denmark, provide $17 million that is used for core funding to 24 NGOs, including many of the leaders of BDS and lawfare campaigns, such as Badil and Al Haq, and a number of Israeli political NGOs. In parallel, the British Parliament held a debate this week on the government's international aid activities, including the distribution of funds by the Department for International Development. After DFID officials announced policy changes, Sir Eric Pickles, MP declared: "I welcome a shift in DFID's funding toward peaceful coexistence projects that better support a peace process, along with the Minister's agreement to look at alleged abuses of British aid by particular Palestinian NGOs."