Tensions are seemingly on the rise between the European Union and Israel.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Israel, Ambassador Emanuelle Giaufret, was forced to provide an explanation to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem concerning a recently published letter by a senior EU diplomat asserting a continuation of financial support to Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) regardless of possible affiliation to designated terrorist organizations.
The document “clarification letter regarding the EU-funded contracts,” was sent 30 March by Head of the EU Representative Office to the West Bank and Gaza, Sven Kuehn Von Burgsdorf to an umbrella organization of 135 Palestinian NGOs, many of which receive regular funding from the European Union.
TV7 obtained the letter, in which it is written “that a natural person affiliated to, sympathizing with, or supporting any of the groups or entities mentioned in the EU restrictive lists is not excluded from benefiting from EU-funded activities, unless his or her exact name and surname… corresponds to any of the natural persons on the EU restrictive lists” – pertaining to designated terrorist organizations.
The letter further reassured the NGOs that “As far as Palestine is concerned, there are no Palestinian natural persons on the restrictive measures list, pursuant to Council Regulation 2580/2001.”
Jerusalem’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement, that “Israel utterly condemns and categorically objects to the Union’s policy on the funding of terrorist organizations. The policy essentially grants permission for incitement, support, and involvement with terrorism.” Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz demanded the EU “immediately end all support, financial or otherwise, for any entities that support terrorism whether directly or indirectly.”
In response to TV7’s request for comment, a Spokesperson at the EU Delegation to Israel stressed in a written statement that: “The (European Union) opposes any incitement to violence or hatred, which is incompatible with advancing peace. Specific clauses have been introduced in individual grant agreements, obliging every beneficiary managing EU funds, both in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territory, to refrain from engaging in incitement to violence or hatred. The EU supports civil society that contributes to peace efforts and confidence building between Israelis and Palestinians.”
The statement further noted that “Allegations of the EU supporting incitement or terror are unfounded and unacceptable and we strongly object to any such suggestion. Our commitment to the fight against terrorism has never been stronger. As such, all contracts involving EU funding must ensure the full respect of applicable EU legislation, including accountability, transparency and sound financial management, and aims at protecting the integrity and proper functioning of the EU funds.”
The full response from the EU delegation is published below:
“The EU opposes any incitement to violence or hatred, which is incompatible with advancing peace. Specific clauses have been introduced in individual grant agreements, obliging every beneficiary managing EU funds, both in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territory, to refrain from engaging in incitement to violence or hatred. The EU supports civil society that contributes to peace efforts and confidence building between Israelis and Palestinians.
Allegations of the EU supporting incitement or terror are unfounded and unacceptable and we strongly object to any such suggestion. Our commitment to the fight against terrorism has never been stronger. As such, all contracts involving EU funding must ensure the full respect of applicable EU legislation, including accountability, transparency and sound financial management, and aims at protecting the integrity and proper functioning of the EU funds.
The EU has strict rules to screen and vet the beneficiaries of EU funds. All recipients of EU funding are required to ensure that these funds are not made available, either directly or indirectly, to entities, individuals or groups, which have been designated under EU restrictive measures, or to their representatives. This includes ensuring that there is no detection of subcontractors, natural persons, participants in workshops and/or trainings or recipients of financial support made to third parties subject to EU restrictive measures. Strict monitoring and control mechanisms make sure that all individuals involved in EU funded actions exclusively pursue the objectives and activities approved for EU funding.
EU support is subject to stringent and permanent monitoring and both ex-ante and ex-post verification to ensure that the funds are used for their intended purpose and in line with EU policies. If a recipient has made inappropriate use of EU funds, reimbursement of the funds is required. These clauses are applicable to all contract types, regardless of their geographic scope and cannot be modified.
We confirm these rules make the participation of entities, individuals or groups affiliated with terrorist organisations incompatible with any EU funding.
If there is clear evidence that any organisation has made an inappropriate use of EU funds, reimbursement of the funds is required and the grantee may lose eligibility for EU funding. The implementation of the conditions and requirements is key. If allegations are substantiated, the EU will take appropriate measures to protect the integrity and proper use of its funds.
The EU will continue to stand by international law and support Civil Society Organisations that defend international law and promote human rights and democratic values. Civil society has an essential role to play in advocating for and strengthening good governance and sustainable development, in the region and around the world.”