In the last months of 2024, a German humanitarian organization made desperate attempts to save its projects with the Israeli human rights organizations “Zochrot” and “New Profile”, which declare themselves for demilitarization and in defense of Palestinian rights. Despite everything, the German authorities completely cut off state funding for the organization “Kurve Wustrow” in mid-December. The organization has partners in a number of countries, including Sudan and Myanmar. Its executive director John Preuss says that this is the first time the government has denied them financial support. An explanation has never been forthcoming.
A DW investigation showed that the suspended funding for “Zochrot” and “New Profile” is part of a larger trend of denying state funds to human rights organizations that are critical of the Israeli government and the war in the Gaza Strip. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, Germany has stopped funding at least six Palestinian organizations. DW sources believe that this is a politically motivated decision and an attempt to silence critical voices in Israeli society. Some of them also claim that Germany made this decision under pressure from Israel. The German Foreign Ministry categorically denied these accusations and called them “false”, explaining that it continues to sponsor “numerous NGOs in Israel and the Palestinian territories that are critical of Israel's settlement policy”.
The work of “Zochrot” and “New Profile” sparks controversy in Israel
The two human rights organizations and their work are a source of controversy in Israel. From “Zohrot”, which translates to “Let us remember”, they insist on taking responsibility for the “Nakba” - the forced displacement and persecution of Palestinians before and during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The organization also campaigns for the right of return of Palestinian refugees and their descendants - something that the Israeli government categorically opposes.
The director of “Zohrot” Rachel Beitari told DW that she had held several meetings with representatives of the German authorities before the decision to suspend financial support became official. “The German past and the Nazi regime were mentioned repeatedly”, she says. Representatives of the German government told her that it was important for Germany to support Israel precisely because of Germany's past, which was connected with National Socialism and its crimes. Therefore, “Zochrot” sent an official declaration to the German government, in which it categorically stated that it in no way “questions the right to exist of the State of Israel“.
“New Profile” is another volunteer organization that defends conscientious objectors in Israel who are threatened with imprisonment. It is known that both men and women are required to serve in the army of this country.
The organization explains to the German government that its work fully complies with Israeli laws. According to Sergei Sandler, the organization's treasurer, the timing of the funding cut was chosen to "cause the greatest possible damage to the work."
Both organizations have been receiving funding from various partners in Germany for nearly two decades. So far, there have never been any problems with the German authorities, sources told DW. It is standard procedure in Germany to frequently check where federal funds are going, especially those intended for areas of active military conflict. However, the situation is even more complicated when it comes to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Increasingly restrictive environment
In November, the German government passed a resolution that ties state funding to a new, controversial definition of anti-Semitism. Critics of the resolution believe that it declares any criticism of the Israeli government as anti-Semitic, and that examples of anti-Semitism were defined too broadly - for example, "comparing modern Israeli policy to that of the Nazis" or "claiming that the existence of Israel is racist".
At the end of 2023, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development announced that it would conduct a thorough check of its partners in the region to ensure that none of them have ties to terrorist organizations or make anti-Semitic statements.
Dozens of sources from civil society organizations told DW that at least 15 organizations, including “Zohrot” and “New Profile” have lost their state funding in recent months. Most of the organizations are Palestinian and many of them have long-standing partnerships with Germany. The Foreign Ministry did not confirm that sponsorship for the 15 organizations has been suspended, but DW was able to verify that at least eight have lost their funding recently.
U-turn
Following the attack by the terrorist group Hamas against Israel in 2023, Berlin is suspending funding for six Palestinian organizations. Israel declared them to be linked to terrorists as early as 2021, although many countries, including France and Germany, then stated that these allegations were unfounded.
One of the organizations - “Al Haq”, became famous for testifying before the International Criminal Court against Israel in 2014. This is the most likely reason for the organization to be added to Israel's list of terrorist groups, say civil sector sources.
In 2022, nine European foreign ministries concluded that there were no valid arguments for the connection of the six organizations to terrorist groups. The German Foreign Ministry was also among those who signed a joint statement on the subject. The funding continued without a hitch until December 2023, when Berlin made a U-turn and stopped all funding for these organizations.
DW has a copy of a confidential report from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, which states that no new cooperation with the six organizations should be allowed. In this case, too, no reasons were given. The decision was never made public.
Under pressure from Israel?
When asked what caused the sudden change, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement to DW that the government had checked and continues to check all information related to the six NGOs.
Civil sector sources believe that Germany's decisions in question were reached under pressure from the current Israeli government. And this comes at a time when the space for critical civil society and media in Israel is shrinking, says Israeli lawyer Michael Sfard, who defends and advises Palestinian and Israeli NGOs. He says it is the result of a deliberate government strategy. “It’s incredible how difficult it is to criticize government policies in Israel these days,” Sfard says.
“I understand why the Israeli government wants to silence us,” says Sergey Sandler of “New Profile.” “But is it the German government’s job to try to silence dissent?” In a written statement, the German Foreign Ministry said all the accusations against Berlin were “false.”
Authors: Naomi Conrad, Birgitta Schülke-Gill