A German organisation which compensates survivors of Nazi labour camps has withdrawn funding for a Israeli NGO for its support of the Palestinian right of return.
The foundation - the Memory, Responsibility and Future Fund (EVZ) - said it would no longer support the educational work of Zochrot, a Tel-Aviv based NGO that also promotes the interpretation of the establishment of Israel as a "Naqba", or "disaster".
Gunter Saathoff, a director of EVZ, told Ha'aretz that they could not fund groups with a political agenda.
The decision, which followed pressure from pro-Israel watchdog NGO Monitor, was reportedly effective at the end of 2011.
Eitan Bronstein, public outreach director for Zochrot, said that they had a two-year contract with EVZ for 20,000 euros per year, for 2011 and 2012. He noted: "All Zochrot positions and activities were clear to EVZ since the beginning of our partnership."
Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, called the decision a "victory in the battle to hold funders accountable for their support of NGOs involved in the demonisation" of Israel.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.