They Say/We Say: "No reason to be hysterical about this bill – it's just as an excuse to attack Israel and hurt its reputation."
We know that pro-Israel does not mean blindly
supporting policies that are irrational, reckless, and counter-productive. Pro-Israel means supporting policies
that are consistent with Israel's interests and promote its survival as a Jewish, democratic state.
You've heard the arguments of the religious and political right-wing, and so have we. They've had their say. Now, we'll have ours.
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They Say, We Say: Why should we be worried about Israeli democracy?
They Say:
The Left and other anti-Israel forces are hysterical about this bill for no reason – just as an excuse to attack Israel and hurt its reputation.
We Say:Israel’s 2016 NGO law is dangerous because it is intended to harm organizations
that do critically important work in the service of Israeli society, Israel’s national security, and
Israel’s ethical, moral standing. Indeed, this law seeks to undermine the institutions that form the
bedrock of Israel’s democracy. Unless it is overturned by the courts, this law will harm not only the
NGOs that it targets, and not only their important goals, but also Israel’s international image and
reputation. It will put Israel on the list of notorious, anti-democratic regimes that limit the freedom
of their countries’ civil societies, inviting even more of the international pressure that the bill
allegedly wants to prevent.