Strategic Affairs Ministry announces aid for pro-Israel groups as funding dives
Ministry says over 80% of major pro-Israel groups anticipate significant cuts in donor funding; doesn’t elaborate on how it will overcome restrictions on foreign government money
JTA — Israel’s government is planning to find funding for pro-Israel groups hit worldwide by a funding crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
The survey released Thursday by the Ministry for Strategic Affairs says over 80 percent of major pro-Israel groups anticipate significant cuts in funding from donors and a 49 percent cut in grants.
Two-thirds have cut budgets for 2020 and 63 percent report halving their activities.
“The Ministry of Strategic Affairs has been working in recent months on a financial aid program that will provide an economic lifeline to the pro-Israel network, to ensure the change and streamlining of their activities so they continue to remain an influential and relevant source into the future,” Orit Farkash-Hacohen, the minister, said in a statement.
The statement did not elaborate on where the funding would come from, or how it would overcome restrictions in some countries — including the United States — on money from foreign governments.
The ministry carried out the study with the Israel branch of Deloitte, a consulting firm, and surveyed over 80 groups.
