QI:ongrenn of tqe 11tnite~taten

Transcription

1 QI:ongrenn of tqe 11tnite~taten llla.sqington, :mm March 28, 2019 The Honorable Nita Lowey Chairman Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and and Related Programs HT-2, The Capitol Washington, D.C The Honorable Hal Rogers Ranking Member Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs 1016 Longwo1th HOB Washington D.C Dear Chairman Lowey and Ranking Member Rogers, We write today regarding the issue of U.S. government funds suppo1ting non-governmental organization s (NGOs) which promote the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the State of Israel. The BDS movement and its supporters are determined to spread anti-israel sentiment globally, and in many cases blatant anti-semitism specifically. According to the Ministry oflsrael, the EU has provided an estimated 5 million per year to NGOs that actively promote the BDS movement, including NGOs such as Al-Haq and Al-Mezan with disturbing ties to terror organizations. Several reports have indicated the U.S. has also funded NGOs that promote BDS through grant programs at USAID, Middle East Pmtnership Initiative, and National Endowment for Democracy. Any instance of this practice is an egregious affront to U.S. foreign policy. We call on the House Appropriations Committee to ensure full transparency regarding funds transferred to organizations promoting BDS, as well as to all NGOs active in the Israeli Palestinian arena. The Department of State and USAID should have policies in place to prevent all U.S. government funding from going to NGOs which participate in the BDS movement. Since 2012, the Pmtner Vetting System at USAID has been an effective tool to assess the cost effectiveness of using partner vetting as an additional means to prevent the inadve1tent funding of terrori sm. This program could equally be used to ensure that foreign assistance does not fund any NGO that participates in the BDS movement. As the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations works on its Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill, we respectfully urge the Subcommittee to include language which would implement this policy. We appreciate your assistance with this impmtant matter, and stand ready to assist in any way. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

2 Sincerely, Lee Zeldin Doug Lamborn ' ~ ~ ~ fh-d{ u,,. b Earl L. 'Buddy' Catter Memb:;ongress ~, Ted Budd k /y Alex Mooney Pete Olson Louie Gohmert

3 ~~ Ralph Abraham, M.D. Glenn Grothman. McKinley, P.E. of Congress Mark Meadows Matt Gaetz Guy Reschenthaler

4 Mike Bost ~~ R,o~ Jol rian Fitzpatrick ~ u~~ Raph~ Member of Congres s $ - ~c/+v Steve Chabot Member of Congre ss Mark Walker

5 1 ~. Steve King ~ Member of Congr~ Vicky Hartzler 1,/41[/~ Mark Green {UJ~ William R. Timmons, IV Scott Tipton L&-- Brian Babin Member of C~mgress Michael "Mik ogers Robert "Bob" Gibbs

6 Darin LaHood Member of G:;ongress David Kustoff --ea,.,._-,,.._,,,_ - --~.f. ~.b ~ ~,,u, lll I.J Carol Miller Gary er Debbie Lesko ~ ~~ JoHice L~:u Ron Wright ~;i~ Bill Flores \