NGO Monitor is group which monitors the activities of non-governmental organizations operating in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. It is a program of the Israeli Institute of Contemporary Affairs, headed by former Israeli Ambassador to the UN Dore Gold (also a former advisor to various Israeli prime ministers).
NGO Monitor describes its aim as "end[ing] the practice used by certain self-declared 'humanitarian NGOs' of exploiting the label 'universal human rights values' to promote politically and ideologically motivated anti-Israel agendas."
NGO Monitor has criticised several international human rights organisations, including Christian Aid for its alleged "extensive involvement in anti-Israel propaganda campaigns" [1] and Human Rights Watch whose reports it found to be "systematically and exceedingly biased" [2]. It has also accused the Ford Foundation for funding NGOs, such as the Palestinian human rights organization Al Mezan Center, allegedly involved in "blatantly political anti-Israel activities". [3]
Medical Aid for Palestinians describes itself as "non-political" and "non-partisan" but this claim is disputed by NGO Monitor due to Medical Aid for Palestinians' alleged involvement "in advocacy on behalf of the Palestinians instead of providing medical care and aid to those in need." See Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) – An EU-funded Political NGO
While the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights claims to be non-partisan, this status is disputed by NGO Monitor, which asserts that Al Mezan "promot[es] claims of 'Israeli war crimes'; inflammatory pictures and accusatory statements and reports", and that it is "particularly active in pursuing a virulently anti-Israel political agenda, while entirely ignoring Palestinian terrorism." [4] [5]
Though Palestine Children's Relief Fund claims to be non-political, according to NGO Monitor:
- The organization is headed by Stephen Sosebee who speaks extensively at universities and other political "solidarity meetings" where he expounds on classic anti-Semitic, anti-Israel statements. During a lecture at the Zayed International Centre for Coordination and Follow-Up (ZCCF), Sosebee charged that a "Zionist lobby and Zionist influence" manipulated the U.S. government, its citizens and media.
- The PCRF received assistance from The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, Global Relief Foundation, and The International [Islamic] Relief Organization - all of which were closed down by the U.S. government for funding terrorist groups.