What’s happening:
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, has publicly criticized billionaire George Soros for donating over $15 million to organizations that he claims support Hamas and seek the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state.
Why it matters:
This controversy arises amid heightened tensions and recent violent incidents, including a severe attack by Hamas on southern Israel resulting in significant loss of life and hostage-taking. The ambassador’s remarks spotlight concerns over financial support for groups allegedly aligned with terrorist organizations and anti-Israel agendas.
The Details:
According to reports, Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF) made substantial contributions to U.S.-based groups considered to be pro-Hamas. Ambassador Erdan emphasizes that Soros has long supported organizations endorsing the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, aimed at isolating Israel internationally. German and Austrian parliaments have labeled BDS as antisemitic, likening it to historical boycotts against Jewish businesses by Nazis.
Context:
OSF’s donations have been directed to various NGOs, including the Tides Center in California, which in turn supports other nonprofits accused of justifying the elimination of the Jewish state. The Adalah Justice Project, supported by Tides, has been noted for social media posts that critics say glorify actions against Israel’s security measures.
OSF’s Response:
When queried about OSF’s stance on Hamas and the allegations of funding pro-Hamas NGOs, the foundation condemned the attacks on Israeli citizens but did not clarify its position on Hamas. OSF also emphasized its commitment to full compliance with U.S. anti-terrorism legislation regarding organizational funding.
Broader Implications:
The funding controversy feeds into a larger discourse on foreign philanthropic influence on political and social campaigns. The issue raises questions about the responsibility of donor organizations in ensuring that their contributions do not inadvertently support extremist or violent ideologies.
What’s next:
Further scrutiny of OSF’s funding practices is likely, as well as discussions about the broader impact of such financial contributions on conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Meanwhile, organizations such as JVP and IfNotNow, which allegedly received funding from OSF, continue to assert their positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This story was first published on foxnews.com.