We keep posting about Israel’s crackdown on dissident groups that question militant and racist policies. It has threatened to cut off foreign funds to B’Tselem, for instance, the human-rights organization. And there is a smear campaign against the New Israel Fund, in what the fund calls "a coordinated attempt to de-legitimize civil society, repress the activities of the human rights community and weaken Israeli democracy." New Israel Fund has given grants to B’Tselem, too.
It’s happening in Canada, too. A Canadian official is reportedly "repudiating" the country’s grant to B’Tselem. CBC News in Canada reports that "Rights and Democracy," a Canadian federal agency with an $11 million budget that is supposed to "encourage democracy and monitor human rights around the world," is turning the screws:
Aurel Braun, a university professor and the new chairman of the Rights and Democracy board, said he wants to bring accountability to the agency.He also said he thinks two of the organizations that got grants — Al Haq and Al Mezan — have links to terrorism. The third group, B’Tselem, which is Israeli, is biased and undeserving of funding, Braun said.
The Star reports: "45 of 47 staff at the agency demanded the resignation of Braun…"
