An Open Letter to Brian Lurie, President of the
New Israel Fund, From Concerned Israelis
Dear Mr. Lurie:
We write to ask a simple question: Do you stand by the latest accusations NIF-funded groups
are making against Israel?
After Operation Cast Lead in 2009, groups funded by the NIF led a campaign that sought
to portray Israel as a war criminal and human rights violator. That campaign culminated in
the Goldstone Report, a ruthlessly biased attack on Israel that cited NIF groups hundreds of
times. Even Judge Goldstone himself has disowned it.
Now, in the weeks after the latest conflict in Gaza, NIF groups are once again making
misleading and unfounded accusations against the IDF.
B'tselem, Adalah, Gisha, and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel are claiming
that the IDF targeted journalists and civilians, violated international law, and is perpetrating
collective punishment:' a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.
"
In the weeks leading up to Israel's response, as terrorist rockets forced thousands of Israelis
into bomb shelters, none of these groups criticized the attacks or stood up for Israel's right -
its human right, and its right under international law - to defend itself.
Despite this troubling record, we hold out hope for your leadership as the new president of
the New Israel Fund. We ask that you hold the groups you fund responsible for the veracity
of their accusations, and that you demand just as much accountability from them as they do
from the IDF.
And if you do not stand by their latest false accusations, Israelis deserve to know:
What will you do to reform the New Israel Fund?
Sincerely,
Im Tirtzu
The Zionist Student Movement
- ....11P."-
PAID FOR BY IM TIRTZU, THE ZIONIST STUDENT MOVEMENT
www.en.imti.org.il
December 13 • 2012
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