Top left-wing foundations bankroll activists behind anti-Israel campaign: ‘Propaganda’
Influential Liberal Foundations Fund Anti-Israel Campaign
In a recent campaign to pressure the United States government, a “human rights” organization funded by influential liberal foundations is demanding the revocation of a visa for a top Israeli official, according to records. The charity, Democracy for the Arab World Now, led by anti-Israel activist Sarah Leah Whitson, has received over $1 million in grants from left-wing nonprofit groups, including the Ford Foundation, which helps shape the Democratic Party’s agenda.
Grants Shed Light on Democratic-Linked Foundations
These grants provide insight into how Democratic-linked foundations in the U.S. have supported entities targeting Israel, despite ongoing terrorist attacks by groups like Hamas. Democracy for the Arab World Now, founded by the late Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has faced scrutiny due to controversial remarks made by Whitson about Israel. The Ford Foundation granted $1 million to DAWN in October 2022 to inform U.S. foreign policy debates on human rights and democratization, while the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Open Society Foundations network also provided financial support.
“Enabled by the Ford Foundation, DAWN promotes false and demonizing propaganda about Israel behind the facade of support for human rights and democracy,” said Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, an Israeli watchdog group. “The false NGO claims about Israel feed demonization and antisemitism, including in the U.S. Congress.”
Israeli President’s Visit and “Squad” Democrats
Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Washington coincided with the launch of the anti-Israel campaign. President Joe Biden reiterated his commitment to a negotiated two-state solution during their meeting. However, the joint meeting of Congress, which Herzog addressed, was boycotted by ”Squad” Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, who have faced criticism for their anti-Israel ties.
The ”Squad” members, along with six other Democrats, voted against a resolution offering support for Israel. Tlaib, in particular, has made controversial statements about Israel, including labeling it an “apartheid state.” DAWN helped organize an event at the Capitol lamenting Israel’s founding, according to a flyer.
Controversial Allegations and Board Members
DAWN, which has equated Israel to an “apartheid state,” alleged that Brigadier Gen. Naama Rosen-Grimberg may be guilty of a “potential war crime” based on the detention of a Palestinian-American man. One of DAWN’s board members is Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an anti-Israel group. Awad has faced scrutiny for his past involvement with organizations linked to Hamas.
“DAWN seeks to hold accountable human rights abusers from governments supported by the United States using the tools available to us under American laws, like Magnitsky sanctions and visa bans,” said Omid Memarian, a DAWN spokesman. ”Our focus includes gross violations of human rights by officials in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and Egypt.”
Foundation Funding and Targeting of Israel
The Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund have been accused of funneling grants to entities targeting Israel. The Ford Foundation provided significant funding to Amnesty International, which employs anti-Israel activists and BDS campaigners. Open Society Foundations and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund have also contributed millions of dollars to Amnesty International and its affiliates.
Requests for comment from the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund were not returned.
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