Alarm bells went off at European Union headquarters after the Knesset approved July 11 the transparency bill, which mandated that Israeli nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that receive more than half of their income from foreign funds must disclose this in any report or contacts with government officials. The fact that left-wing, pro-peace and human rights organizations are targeted by the Israeli government is seen in Brussels as an affront to Israel’s already flawed democracy. There are those at EU headquarters who are beginning to question the preferential treatment of Israel. They note that countries have to adhere to democratic standards in order to enjoy their preferential agreements with the EU (such as in the area of scientific research).
A senior official close to Federica Mogherini, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the EU leadership in Brussels and in its main capitals is extremely concerned with this Knesset legislation and with other signs that Israel's democracy is deteriorating.
