Israeli government approves controversial bill targeting left-wing organizations

The Israeli government approved Sunday a bill aiming to tax left-wing non-governmental- organizations on the funding that they receive from abroad. The bill, which was initiated by lawmaker Ayelet Shaked (the Jewish Home), had eight ministers voting for it and four others against it, the Ha'aretz daily reported. Under the bill, certain left-wing foundations have to pay a 45- percent tax on the donations they get from foreign entities. The foundations in question are mainly those who question or challenge the operation of the Israeli government and the military, particularly those who support international sanctions on Israel and prosecution against Israeli soldiers. Shaked wrote that the bill's goal was to "reduce the involvement of foreign entities via contributions to these foundations." The bill will be put to a vote at the Knesset (parliament). However, it may face difficulty becoming a law as Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein notified the government that he would not be able to defend it in the Supreme Court since it was unconstitutional. "Restricting the donations and hurting the free speech of these organizations, and with that hurting human rights, is carried out in countries that Israel doesn't want to be a part of," Weinstein said last week, according to the daily. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni was one of the four ministers who voted against the bill on Sunday. "This bill is a mixture of extremism and populism... This dangerous legislation will further isolate Israel and make it difficult for our allies in the world to stand by us."