Despite assurances to the contrary, the European Union continues to support nongovernmental organizations that boycott Israel, according to a report from the Israeli government.
This development follows a comprehensive study released by Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs in May 2018 related to E.U. funding for pro-BDS groups in 2016.
At the time of the study’s publication, Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan called on E.U. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to promptly halt the allocation of money to these groups.
Mogherini responded that there was stringent oversight and procedures enacted, promising Erdan that no E.U. funds were being utilized to promote BDS.
In turn, Erdan directed his ministry to further investigate E.U. data released between 2017 and 2018, and discovered that despite Mogherini’s assurances, more than $5.6 million was transferred to 10 organizations promoting BDS.
“The time has come for the E.U. to begin a deep reexamination of its policies,” said Erdan. “Instead of hiding behind empty statements, the European Union needs to implement its own declared policy and immediately cease funding organizations that promote boycotts against the State of Israel.”
The E.U. responded by negating such accusations. It said any allegations that it supports “incitement or terror, or condoning antisemitism, are unfounded and unacceptable.”
The bloc said it objects to “any attempts to isolate Israel and [does] not support calls [to] boycott [it], nor fund actions that are related to boycott activities.”
