Netanyahu backs revised version of NGO bill - Shlomo Cesana and Edna Adato

by Shlomo Cesana and Edna Adato

At weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says new transparency bill should not require NGO representatives to wear special name tags at the Knesset • Netanyahu: Public has right to know who is financing NGOs.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Sunday's cabinet meeting | Photo credit: AP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his support for the controversial "NGO transparency bill" on Sunday and said it should extend to all NGOs that receive funding from foreign governments. He added that the bill should not require NGO representatives to wear special name tags at the Knesset.

Speaking at the start of Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said transparency was part and parcel of civil society. 

"I do not understand how a requirement for transparency is anti-democratic," he said. "The opposite is true. In a democratic regime, we need to know who is financing such NGOs, from the Right, the Left, up or down. Financing by governments is certainly something the public should know about. It has a right to know. 

"What needs to be done is adopt the norms accepted by the U.S. House of Representatives. And therefore, I request that this law be advanced with two amendments: First, to drop the demand that representatives of these NGOs wear tags in the Knesset -- this is unnecessary. Second, to require reports about the first shekel or dollar from foreign governments; we will thus bring the law in line with what is accepted in the U.S. In my view, these two amendments are necessary. I think that they are very important."

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Habayit Hayehudi), who is among the supporters of the bill, said Netanyahu's revised version was compatible with the current language. 

"I will forward his suggestions and have them reviewed by the professional staff," she said. "I am glad the prime minister realizes how important it is to have transparency when it comes to NGOs that receive funding from foreign governments. I expect all the parties in the coalition to join forces and see this bill passed."

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the bill on Dec. 27 at Shaked's request. The bill essentially brings the level of scrutiny of NGOs to that of lobbyists. As the bill stands, as well as the name-tag requirement and disclosure of funding sources, NGOs would have to file more detailed financial reports.

Shlomo Cesana and Edna Adato

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=31191

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