Trump administration to declare Amnesty and Oxfam ‘antisemitic’
Days before the US election Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is reportedly to declare numerous human rights groups as racist
Humanitarian organisations such as Amnesty International and Oxfam are to be declared “antisemitic” by the Trump administration in the coming days, according to US reports.
News site Politico detailed on Wednesday how organisations such as Human Rights Watch may also be caught up in the declaration, which is being pushed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, just days before the US election.
All three have criticised Israeli action in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, much to the chagrin of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Now Pompeo is targeting them to win favour with pro-Israel groups in the US.
The report is being traced to a congressional aide and if true would trigger a string of lawsuits from the organisations in question, to demonstrate in court that they criticise other perceived human rights violators as well.
Such a declaration, if made, would withdraw all US cooperation and support to the groups, including financially, and urge other states to do the same.
Lawyers in Pompeo’s own State Department are believed to have warned him against such an action, saying the organisations’ criticism of Israel is constitutionally protected free speech, but Politico’s sources said Pompeo is nevertheless pushing on.
The initiative is believed to involve Elan Carr, the US special envoy on antisemitism, who is planning to cite the NGOs’ alleged or perceived support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and their input into a UN database of businesses operating in West Bank settlements.
Amnesty said allegations of antisemitism were “baseless”, adding: “We look forward to addressing the State Department’s attacks in full.” Oxfam said it was “offensive” and reiterated that it did not advocate boycotting any country, while Human Rights Watch said: “Criticising government policy is not the same as attacking a specific group of people.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
