Arab HRA. Yesh Din - Volunteers for Human Rights. Israeli human rights groups sound alarm over parliamentary panel on funding. JERUSALEM - An initiative in the Israeli parliament this month to investigate the funding of local human rights organizations has intensified debate here about the role of the groups, which rightist critics have accused of harming Israel. Human rights advocates say they are working in an increasingly hostile public climate - particularly since the Gaza war two years ago, which brought allegations of Israeli war crimes - and they warn that free speech and the right to dissent are being challenged.
Thousands of people marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest lawmakers' initial approval of a parliamentary committee to look into foreign funding of the Israeli rights groups. Although a parliamentary panel cannot compel private citizens to testify and its conclusions are not binding, critics called the planned investigation a McCarthyist tactic intended to taint the rights groups, many of whom document abuse and violation of Palestinians' rights by Israeli security forces and settlers. Middle East & North Africa - Israeli rights groups complain of crackdown. B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.