[Middle East News Service comments:Martin Indyk is a former US Ambassador to Israel with impeccable credentials as a supporter of Israel. His current role is as a Senior Fellow and Director of the Saban Centre for Middle East Policy in the Foreign Policy Studies program at The Brookings Institution, which is financed by Haim Saban, an Israeli-American businessman and ardent supporter of the state of Israel. While born in the UK (according to Wikipedia), Indyk is well known in this country as he grew up and studied in Sydney. His background and support for US foreign policy interests and that of Israel makes his defence of the New Israel Fund particularly significant.
Quote: "As a board member, I know that NIF maintains a thorough process for grant-making including clear criteria, ongoing evaluation and review. NIF demands accountability from its grantees and upholds complete transparency in its sources and uses of funds...."

"NIF does not support or fund divestment, boycott or sanction activities against the State of Israel. NIF opposes extremism, intolerance and ultra-nationalism...."

"That does not mean NIF agrees with everything these groups do or say. Inevitably, some of them, especially in the Arab sector, will take positions that, as an individual, I strongly oppose....But I will at the same time strongly defend their right to speak out as long as it is in responsible ways."

"...The assertion that ' without NIF there would be no Goldstone Report,' is based on bogus statistics. In fact, Goldstone based only 14% of his report - not 92% as claimed - on reports of Israeli human rights organization. Another 19% was based on other Israeli sources including statements made by Israel's own military and political leaders."

According to information received from Israel the following was submitted to the Australian Jewish News last Thursday. Uncertain of whether or not the advanced copy received by the AJDS was embargoed or not, this News Service refrained from publishing it till now, but the AJN, which is out today, has not published it. And in my view it should be distributed as widely as possible – Sol Salbe.]

Martin Indyk : The Truth About the New Israel Fund

The Truth About the New Israel Fund
Martin Indyk
22nd February 2010

• Read more

[The independent Middle East News Service concentrates on providing alternative information chiefly from Israeli sources. It is sponsored by the Australian Jewish Democratic Society. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the AJDS. These are expressed in its

Deaf Ears: Speaker On Support For Mojo Mathers

Scoop Audio: In a press conference this afternoon Speaker Lockwood Smith defended his handling of requests for support for profoundly deaf MP Mojo Mathers' participation in Parliament, and said he was "deeply concerned" by the way the issue had been portrayed.

Earlier today the Greens said they had been told they would have to fund support Mathers requires out of their own budget. More>>