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July 29, 2008

Israel Office

• Clean Air Law Will Improve Israel's Environment
• Disabled Israelis Can Work Without Losing Welfare Payments

SHATIL

• For a Change: SHATIL Produces Israel’s First Social Change CD
• Housing Rights of Acco’s Old City Residents: Academia Serves the Acco Community
• Shatil Presents Financial Management to Outstanding Birthright Grads

Weekly Message

I have watched the “Talansky” affair unfold with fascination. Having observed elections overseas for more than 25 years, I have long decried efforts to influence electoral outcomes by foreign actors. And, there seemingly is little difference whether the actor is a foreign government or a wealthy individual.

Of course, Talansky is not actually accused of trying to affect the outcome of a specific Israeli election, or even exercising undue influence over the Israeli political scene. Yet, the scandal has brought to the fore the sad truth about the dependence of many Israeli politicians on their foreign connections. While laws exist to regulate the direct involvement in the actual election process, wide gaps in the legal structure have allowed the Israeli political elite to raise money overseas to further their political ambitions.

Clearly, a tightening of the laws is required. But the responsibility is not only on the Israeli side. A code of conduct should be developed for prospective donors from outside Israel that places strict limits on contributions to Israeli political parties and political leaders. The electoral process in an established democracy is a sacred trust and outside interference for partisan purposes, even with the best of intentions, should not be tolerated.

I am aware that some would extend my argument to cover contributions from overseas to nongovernmental organizations that promote political or social change. However, there are fundamental distinctions between the type of activities that NIF funds and involvement in partisan political activities. Most notably, the organizations that we support are not in positions of authority and do not make decisions that directly affect the well-being of individuals or society as a whole.

Still, a social change funder operating overseas must act in a responsible and ethical manner. And, this is true whether the funder is a large governmental agency, an endowed foundation or a fund like NIF that receives contributions from a multitude of sources. The following are a few guidelines:

• the funder must act transparently and in accordance with all laws in the country registered and in the country where funding is being directed;
• the funder should support only those organizations in foreign countries that operate transparently and are in compliance with local registration and other laws (with appropriate exceptions for non-democratic environments);
• the funder should rely, to the maximum extent possible, on input from local experts in making allocation decisions;
• the funder should ensure, through effective on-the-ground monitoring, that funds are used for authorized purposes and under no circumstances for partisan political purposes; and
• the funder should encourage social change organizations to develop plans for increasing the proportion of funds received from local sources, as opposed to those obtained from abroad.
  

NIF’s unique Israel-Diaspora organizational partnership provides a model for complying with these guidelines. And, substantively we seek to empower those groups within society whose voices would otherwise not be heard. Still, we too realize that, as Israel grows wealthier, the social change sector must look increasingly to Israeli sources to provide funds for their activities. This needed shift in orientation suggests a major challenge for the Israeli third sector during the next decade; it will also have important implications for the evolving Israel-Diaspora relationship.

In this week’s NIF News, we report on the enactment of landmark legislation by the Knesset, which will play a vital role in protecting Israel’s environment and in decreasing air pollution. The law was formulated by an NIF grantee. We also report on a legislative reform passed by the Knesset following pressure by an NIF grantee, which will enable more disabled Israelis to work full time without having to relinquish their government welfare payments. SHATIL highlights its newly released CD featuring a collection of social protest/social change songs, a conference on the housing rights of Acco’s Old City residents and a presentation to exceptional Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni on financial management in NGOs.