By Miri Weingarten

The New Israel Fund (NIF) has officially stopped funding the Coalition of Women for Peace (CWP) in Israel, apparently because its positions are too radical and transgress at least two of the three ‘no-no’s of the Reut Institute‘s definition of ‘delegitimisation’ (BDS and universal jurisdiction). The move follows pressure from NGO Monitor and others. It was made publicly, and the NIF is already using the fact in its defense against those defaming it.

The main reason this is disappointing and even dangerous is that the struggle going on in Israel (and outside it) right now is not so much about differing opinions as about the right to voice an opinion at all. Whereas here in the UK and elsewhere this is expressed through intimidation – in Israel it is expressed through retrogressive laws, as well as through state-sanctioned public incitement. There is a big difference. The decision of the NIF to stop funding CWP is in effect an abandonment of Israeli human rights defenders when they are most vulnerable and most in need of support and solidarity. Not a good sign for the future.

CWP’s first response: http://www.coalitionofwomen.org/?p=2102&lang=en