Belgian Diplomat Praises Demonization at ICAHD/ISM “summer camp”
Jeff Halper’s ICAHD group is funded by the European Union and is heavily involved in promoting the Durban agenda of anti-Israel demonization, including boycott campaigns and use of terms such as “apartheid”, often in cooperation with Naim Ateek of Sabeel. ICAHD runs a so-called “summer camp” with ISM participation, and with an emphasis on radical politics in cooperation with the NGO network. The details are posted on the internet and in emails. The following is an excerpt from July 17: ( http://icahd.org/eng/news.asp?menu=5&submenu=1&item=463 )
EXCERPTS: “The camp was joined by volunteers from ISM … At mid-morning a press conference was arranged with powerful statements given by ICAHD members, and volunteers and also by the family whose house we are building. In the afternoon the site was visited by a group led by the Consul General of Belgium Mr Leo Peeters. He was taken on a tour of the area and shown the wall around Anata. He expressed solidarity with the work of ICAHD and commended the building work on site. In the evening, excellent discussions were led by Machsom Watch and the Coalition of Women for peace. The speaker from Machsom Watch talked about the system of checkpoints and the presence of women at checkpoints opening a window into an ugly back yard. They showed the way that the Civil Administration acts as the bureaucratic arm of the occupation. Machsom Watch is concerned about what is happening to the country and the society and attempt to set up a challenge to the dominant military discourse of Israeli society. “
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=2&cid=1188392492667&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Coffee break
Sir, - In “There’s no single, correct way to be pro-Israel” (August 29) Jeff Halper presented a creative and self-important version of a 30-second conversation. Our differences are far more substantive than can be bridged over a cup of coffee.
Halper runs ICAHD - a fringe anti-Israel NGO funded by the European Union under the mislabeled “Partnership for Peace” program. He speaks in churches around the world calling for anti-Israel boycotts, where he stands alongside and gives a Jewish stamp of approval to Naim Ateek, the head of Sabeel - an extremist whose anti-Semitic rhetoric includes referring to Israel as a “daily crucifixion.” In addition, two ICAHD officials are speaking at this week’s UN/EU NGO Israel-bashing “conference” in Brussels.
When Halper and ICAHD stop their EU-funded demonization, he will get his coffee.
GERALD M. STEINBERG
Executive Director
NGO Monitor
Jerusalem