THINK-ISRAEL


BDS IN THE PEWS: EUROPEAN, US, AND CANADIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING BEHIND ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVISM IN MAINLINE CHURCHES

by NGO Monitor

'BDS' BRIEFLY DEFINED

(More information on BDS is found at the end of this report.)

GOVERNMENT FUNDING ENTANGLED IN CHURCH BDS EFFORTS

NGOs that promote BDS and their governmental patrons:

Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center

Sabeel, located in Jerusalem, was founded in 1989 and is led by Anglican Canon Naim Ateek. Sabeel is a major actor in the effort to convince Christian churches to support divestment and boycotts against Israel. Promoting its "Palestinian Liberation Theology", Sabeel plays a central theological role for pro-Palestinian activists in the mainline churches.

Governments providing funds to Sabeel:

NETHERLANDS: The Dutch government grants hundreds of millions of euros annually to Dutch church-based aid organizations such as Kerk in Aktie (KIA) and the Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO). In turn, these groups disburse these funds to NGOs around the world, including Sabeel.

SWEDEN: The Swedish government's International Development Cooperation Agency[43] (SIDA) has been providing substantial aid to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza[44] since 2000. In 2008,[45] these areas received SEK 455 million[46] (~$59 million, over 70% of the Middle East and North Africa [MENA] budget). Much of this aid is funneled through Diakonia, Sweden's largest humanitarian NGO.[47]

The Holy Land Trust

The Holy Land Trust (HLT) is a signatory to the 2005 "Palestinian Civil Society Call for BDS"[57] and supports the Kairos Palestine document.[58] Similar to Sabeel, HLT conducts highly politicized tours[59] to the region targeting church leaders[60] and the international community, claiming to provide "cross cultural and experimental learning opportunities in both Palestine and Israel." HLT's influence is felt in churches across the globe.

Governments providing funds to Holy Land Trust:

UNITED STATES: The National Endowment for Democracy, mostly funded by the US Congress, granted the Holy Land Trust[74] (HLT) $124,300 (2009,[75] 2010,[76] 2012).

NETHERLANDS: Cordaid (Catholic Organisation for Relief and Development) received[77] more than €4 million from the Dutch government in 2009. Almost half, €1.7 million, was spent in Israel and the PA. Despite a lack of transparency, NGO Monitor's research shows that the Holy Land Trust[78] received Cordaid funding.

UNITED KINGDOM: The British government granted to HLT £15,000 in 2010-2011. The government's Middle East and North Africa Conflict Pool (MENA CP) provided £10,000, and £5000 was provided by the Bilateral Program Budget, managed through the British Embassy in Tel Aviv or Consulate in Jerusalem.

EUROPEAN UNION: In 2009, the European Commission (EC) via the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) granted €198,380 to HLT for the production of a TV Series on Human Rights (HR). In 2005, the EC via its Partnership for Peace Program granted €156,543 to HLT for the "Empowering citizen peace building" program whose purpose is to provide "training" in "nonviolence." According to news reports, participants attended[79] a "nonviolent Palestinian demonstration against the Wall and settlements.

World Council of Churches (WCC)

Governmental funding of the World Council of Churches

The WCC is the recipient of governmental funding, both indirectly via various church aid organizations, and directly from the Norwegian and Canadian governments. (WCC Financial Reports 2010[109] and 2011.[110])

 

Contributor 2010

 Amount in Swiss francs (CHF) 2011  Amount in Swiss francs (CHF)
Direct government funding to WCC    
 Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs  160,075  0
 Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)  110,815  278,743
 Indirect government funding to WCC    
 Christian Aid (UK)  361,839  224,957
 Cordaid (Netherlands)  2,551  0
 DanChurchAid (Denmark)  213,488  199,540
 FinnChurchAid (Finland  685,691  638,209
 ICCO (Netherlands)  2,814,770  837,050
 Kerk in Actie (Netherlands)  664,567  753,458
 Norwegian Church Aid (Norway)  691,934  598,581

THE BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS (BDS) NETWORK:

THE KAIROS PALESTINE DOCUMENT:


 

Footnotes

[1] http://www.theologicalstudies.org/resource-library/supersessionism/324-defining-supersessionism

[2] http://forward.com/articles/155703/methodists-reject-divestment-motion/

[3] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/ecumenical_accompaniment_programme_in_palestine_and_israel_eappi_

[4] http://ngo-monitor.org/article/ngo_forum_at_durban_conference_

[5] http://www.bdsmovement.net/call

[6] http://www.bdsmovement.net/bdsintro

[7] http://www.bdsmovement.net/2008/faith-based-125

[8] http://www.theipmn.org/

[9] http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/Search-for-Projects/Projects/Sabeel-Youth-Program

[10] https://www.kairosresponse.org/UMKR_Home.html

[11] http://afsc.org/event/us-policy-palestine-israel-engaging-faith-communities-pursuit-just-peace-2011

[12] http://www.google.com/search?ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&domains=oikoumene.org%3B+wcc-coe.org%3B+wcc-assembly.info&sitesearch=oikoumene.org&hl=en&q=sabeel&sbtn=Go+!

[13] http://sabeel.org/ifos.php

[14] http://sabeel.org/intconferences.php

[15] http://sabeel.org/events.php?eventid=244

[16] http://sabeel.org/youthconferences.php

[17] http://www.1948.org.uk/the-one-state-solution/

[18] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/israel_committee_against_house_demolitions_icahd_

[19] http://fosna.org/files/fosna/SCHEDULE%2006.20.2012.pdf

[20] http://www.israelpalestinemissionnetwork.org/main/ipmndocuments/IPMN_Schedule_GA_2012.pdf

[21] http://fosna.org/content/jerusalem-sabeel-document-principles-just-peace-palestine-israel

[22] http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/Catholics_and_Jews_A_Review_of_Constantines_Sword.shtml

[23] http://www.theologicalstudies.org/resource-library/supersessionism/324-defining-supersessionism

[24] http://www.sabeel.org/pdfs/2001%20Easter%20Message.htm

[25] http://www.fosna.org/steering-committee

[27] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article.php?id=3540

[28] http://www.kerkinactie.nl/Particulieren/Actueel/Nieuws/Kerk-in-Actie-wil-Isra%C3%ABl-niet-beledigen--n6701

[29] http://www.kerkinactie.nl/Particulieren/Actueel/Nieuws/Kerk-in-Actie-wil-Isra%C3%ABl-niet-beledigen--n6701

[30] http://www.kerkinactie.nl/projecten/Centrum-voor-Palestijnse-theologie--p316-7796

[31] http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=zugo&from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kerkinactie.nl%2Fprojecten%2FMeta-Floor-dialoog-vorming-en-toerusting--p483-7796

[32] http://www.kerkinactie.nl/Verhalen-uit-het-veld/Hier-staan-wij-sta-ons-bij--b645

[33] http://translate.google.com/

[35] http://www.icco.eu/en/projects/project&project=440/

[36] http://www.kairospalestina.nl/nl/home.aspx

[37] http://cms.kairospalestina.nl/UserFiles/Files/documents/programma%20Kairos%20conf%2020110804.pdf

[38] http://www.icco.nl/nl/publicaties-downloads/new/1/icco-jaarbericht-2010/186

[39] http://www.icco.nl/en/about-icco/funders/ministry-of-foreign-affairs

[40] http://www.icco.nl/en/about-icco/funders/eu

[41] http://www.icco.nl/en/about-icco/funders/dutch-postcode-lottery

[42] http://www.icco.nl/en/projects/project&project=440

[43] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/the_swedish_international_development_agency_sida_0

[44] http://www2.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=1230&language=en_US

[45] http://www2.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=1229&a=33193&language=en_US

[46] http://www2.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=1230&a=18120&language=en_US

[47] http://www.diakonia.se/sa/node.asp?node=497

[48] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/diakonia

[49] http://www.diakonia.se/sa/node.asp?node=498

[50] http://www.diakonia.se/documents/public/Annual_Reports/Annual_report_2008.pdf

[51] http://www.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=390&a=1073

[52] http://www.sabeel.org/pdfs/Cornerstone%2040final,%20Spring%202006.pdf

[53] http://www2.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=390&a=42140&pm

[54] http://www2.sida.se/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=390&a=54927&pm

[55] http://www.devp.org/sites/www.devp.org/files/documents/blog/devpeace_fact_sheet_march16.pdf

[56] http://www.devp.org/sites/www.devp.org/files/documents/blog/devpeace_fact_sheet_march16.pdf

[57] http://www.bdsmovement.net/call#Endorsed_by:

[58] http://www.holylandtrust.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=489&Itemid=90

[59] http://www.holylandtrust.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=453&Itemid=304

[60] http://www.sizers.org/wv-wca-tour.pdf

[61] http://s3.amazonaws.com/churchplantmedia-cms/vineyardnorth/nlcrichnathan.mp3

[62] http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm

[63] http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:023:0037:0042:EN:PDF

[64] http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1498.pdf

[65] http://www.holylandtrust.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=194&Itemid=147

[66] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/ecumenical_accompaniment_programme_in_palestine_and_israel_eappi_

[67] http://ngo-monitor.org/article.php?id=3496

[68] http://littletownofbethlehem.org/screenings/screenings-map/

[69] http://www.holylandtrust.org/templates/tne/Orientation_Packet_2008.pdf

[70] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article.php?id=515

[71] http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_eileen_f_051231_eye_witness_report_f.htm

[72] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/sabeel_ecumenical_liberation_theology_center

[73] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article.php?id=75

[74] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/_little_town_of_bethlehem_film_holy_land_trust_s_anti_israel_activism_with_a_theological_backdrop

[75] http://www.ned.org/where-we-work/middle-east-and-northern-africa/west-bank-and-gaza-strip

[76] http://www.ned.org/where-we-work/middle-east-and-northern-africa/west-bank-and-gaza-strip

[77] http://www.minbuza.nl/dsresource?objectid=buzabeheer:47764&type=pdf

[78] http://www.holylandtrust.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=194&Itemid=147

[79] http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3923&Itemid=2

[80] http://www.google.com/search?ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&domains=oikoumene.org%3B+wcc-coe.org%3B+wcc-assembly.info&sitesearch=oikoumene.org&hl=en&q=palestine&sbtn=Go+!#hl=en&domains=oikoumene.org%3B+wcc-coe.org%3B+wcc-assembly.info&sclient=psy-ab&q=sabeel+site:oikoumene.org&oq=sabeel+site:oikoumene.org&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=serp.3...246071.247207.0.248735.7.7.0.0.0.5.353.1668.0j2j4j1.7.0...0.0.Kh7gK-foSGk&pbx=1&bav=on.2,o

[81] http://www.google.com/search?ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&domains=oikoumene.org%3B+wcc-coe.org%3B+wcc-assembly.info&sitesearch=oikoumene.org&hl=en&q=palestine&sbtn=Go+!#hl=en&domains=oikoumene.org%3B+wcc-coe.org%3B+wcc-assembly.info&sclient=psy-ab&q=sabeel+site:oikoumene.org&oq=sabeel+site:oikoumene.org&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=serp.3...246071.247207.0.248735.7.7.0.0.0.5.353.1668.0j2j4j1.7.0...0.0.Kh7gK-foSGk&pbx=1&bav=on.2,o

[82] http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/documents/p3/worldweekforpeace/documents/SabeelWayofCross.pdf

[83] http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/pief/world-week/events-from-previous-years/2011-events.html

[84] http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/documents/p3/worldweekforpeace/documents/2009invitation_en.pdf

[85] http://www.oikoumene.org/ru/chto-my-delaem/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/pief/world-week/events-from-previous-years/2008.html

[86] http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/pief/world-week/events-from-previous-years/2009.html

[87] http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/pief/world-week/events-from-previous-years/2010-events-summary.html

[88] http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/documents/p3/worldweekforpeace/documents/Send_a_prayer_to_Palestinian_Christians_2012.pdf

[89] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/ecumenical_accompaniment_programme_in_palestine_and_israel_eappi_

[90] http://www.eappi.org/en/about/overview.html

[91] http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/2012pdfs/FinancialReport2011.pdf

[92] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article.php?id=86

[93] http://www.eappi.org/ru/novosti/soobshchenija-ochevidcev/r/article/4837/city-of-dreams.html

[94] http://www.eappi.org/ar/news-events/eappi-news/news-wcc/sw/browse/5/article/4566/church-representatives-fr.html

[95] http://eappi.org/en/about/sending.html

[96] http://www.eappi.org/

[97] http://www.christianaid.org.uk/whatwedo/middle-east/iopt.aspx

[98] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/ireland_government_funding_for_anti_israel_ngos

[99] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/data/images/File/ngomonitor_submission_parliamentary_ctteeOct122006.pdf

[100] http://eappi.org/en/resources/eappi-publications.html?no_cache=1&cid=40788&did=23956&sechash=2710dac9

[101] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/sabeel_ecumenical_liberation_theology_center

[102] http://www.sabeel.org/datadir/en-events/ev167/files/Programme%202011%20Conference%20final%2020jan..pdf

[103] http://fosna.org/content/speakers

[104] http://qumsiyeh.org/palestinediary/

[105] http://qumsiyeh.org/rightsblog2010/

[106] http://qumsiyeh.org/rightsblog2010/

[107] http://qumsiyeh.org/rightsblog2010/

[108] http://www.qumsiyeh.org/apalestinianamericanviewofnatostrategypaper/

[109] http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/2011pdfs/financialreport2010.pdf

[110] http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/2012pdfs/FinancialReport2011.pdf

[111] http://ngo-monitor.org/article/ngo_forum_at_durban_conference_

[112] http://academic.udayton.edu/race/06hrights/WCAR2001/NGOFORUM/

[113] http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/factsheet_palestinian_campaign_for_the_academic_and_cultural_boycott_of_israel_pacbi_

[114] http://www.icare.to/list%20of%20accredited%20NGO%20representatives%20at%20the%202001%20WCAR.pdf

[115] http://www.bdsmovement.net/call

[116] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASIBGSSw4lI

[117] http://english.al-akhbar.com/blogs/angry-corner/critique-norman-finkelstein-bds

[118] http://mondoweiss.net/2010/04/bds-is-a-long-term-project-with-radically-transformative-potential.html

[119] http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/2009pdfs/Kairos%20Palestine_En.pdf

[120] http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/pief/calls-to-action.html

[121] http://www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/churches-in-the-middle-east/pief/calls-to-action/amman-call.html

[122] http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/middle-east-peace/bern-perspective.html



This report by NGO Monitor was published July 02, 2012 on the NGO Monitor website   http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/bds_in_the_pews_european_us_and_canadian_government_funding_behind_anti_israel_activism_in_mainline_churches

Download this report as a PDF file http://www.ngo-monitor.org/data/images/File/NGOM_BDS-in-the-Pews.pdf



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