B’Tselem Accepts Pro-BDS Donation

For Immediate Release
November 4, 2010

Contact: Jason Edelstein, +011-972-62-861-2129

B’Tselem Accepts Pro-BDS Donation

NGO Refuses to Return Contribution from pro-BDS “Bubbes and Zaydes for Peace”

JERUSALEM – In another indication that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) need guidelines, including regarding their funding sources, B’Tselem has accepted a contribution from Philadelphia-based Bubbes and Zaydes for Peace (BZP). NGO Monitor notes that despite its disarming name, BZP endorses the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and often engages in demonizing rhetoric – both of which B’Tselem claims to oppose.


“Unfortunately, B’Tselem’s willingness to accept this donation is indicative of the actions of many so called ‘human rights’ NGOs in the Middle East,” says Prof. Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, a Jerusalem-based research institution that tracks NGO activities and funding. “These NGOs have no real review process in place to ensure that their funding sources align with their stated principles and missions. In fact, B’Tselem announced this contribution with the caveat that they ‘don’t know the group [BZP].’ This is precisely why guidelines are needed.”

During 2009 Israeli Apartheid Week, BZP hung multiple signs on Philadelphia highways, urging people to “BOYCOTT ISRAELI APARTHEID. The group also has participated in “divestment teach-ins,” and protested outside a Philadelphia Motorola store to “call on the corporation to cease producing and selling equipment to the Israeli army to prevent its involvement in future abuses.” These actions contradict B’Tselem’s stated policy regarding BDS.

“In correspondence with B’Tselem, we noted BZP’s past actions and rhetoric, but B’Tselem ignored this information and kept the money,” Steinberg adds. “This is despite their claim to reject BDS warfare targeting the State of Israel. Again, the stated principles are inconsistent with their practices.”

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View NGO Monitor’s full report on the BZP donation.

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