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"If Sweden wishes to be viewed as a fair and effective president of the European Union, this very damaging NGO funding must be addressed," Gerald Steinberg, executive director of NGO Monitor, said.
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JERUSALEM (EJP)---As Sweden took over EU presidency on July 1, a Jerusalem-based watchdog organization has released a report detailing what it calls “Swedish government funding for radical NGOs under the guise of human rights and humanitarian aid.”
The report by NGO monitor says that the "activities of these groups often increase hostility, and are inconsistent with the goals of the EU in the Middle East."
"This raises concerns regarding Sweden’s ability to lead the EU in contributing to the Mideast peace process," it adds.
Swedish government funding for political NGOs is dispersed through a number of channels, via its development wing, the Swedish International Cooperation Agency. This includes over 9,3 million euros (around 13 million USD) distributed to Diakonia, Sweden’s largest humanitarian NGO.
According to NGO Monitor, Diakonia distributes this money to some of the most radical NGOs in the region, many of whom reject any efforts at normalization, including an organization called the Alternative Information Center.
This organization has compared Israeli military and political figures to Nazis and claims working with Peres Center for Peace is "morally disgusting" and that Shimon Peres is an "enemy of human rights and of peace".
Another group which rceived money, called Sabeel, is a leader in the anti-Israel church divestment campaign, the report says. Its director, Naim Ateek, "promotes the one-state solution and regularly employs anti-Semitic theological themes, referring to the Israeli government crucifixion system which places Jesus…on the cross again, with thousands of crucified Palestinians around him."
"Swedish government funds are being utilized by NGOs to fuel political attacks against Israel under the façade of human rights," said Gerald Steinberg, executive director of NGO Monitor.
"If Sweden wishes to be viewed as a fair and effective president of the European Union, this very damaging NGO funding must be addressed," he said.
The Swedish government declined any comment on this report.