Israeli Lawmakers Approve ‘McCarthy-esque’ Panel To Probe ‘Left-Wing’ Groups

Israeli left-wing organizations warned that the legislatures approval of a commission to investigate certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) would "destroy democracy" in the nation.

The Knesset plenum approved a proposal by members of the rightwing Yisrael Beiteinu party Wednesday to investigate the sources of funding for left-wing NGO's accused of working against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

"The delegitimization of left-wing organizations by establishing this McCarthy-esque commission will bring Israel negative coverage from around the world," Knesset member Dov Henin said while the bill was being debated, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The NGOs targeted for investigation were being blamed for material provided to the United Nation's Goldstone commission, which investigated violations of international human rights law during the Gaza war. The Goldstone report accused both the IDF and Palestinian militants of war crimes, but heavily criticized Israeli forces for a disproportionate military response.

The NGOs "are behind the indictments lodged against Israeli officers and officials around the world" and "are responsible for branding IDF soldiers as war criminals and encourage defamations," Knesset member Fania Kirshenbaum said.

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/israeli-govt-sets-macarthyesque-panel-investigate-leftwing-groups/