World
Trump considers declaring Amnesty, Oxfam and Human Rights Watch ‘antisemitic’
The charities strongly denied the allegation
October 22, 2020 13:48
The charities strongly denied the allegation
October 22, 2020 13:48The US is reportedly considering plans to declare leading human rights groups “antisemitic”.
An official declaration could come as early as this week and target Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam, Politico reported Wednesday, citing two sources.
The charities strongly denied any allegations of antisemitism.
Amnesty International “vigorously” rejected the claims and said the reported proposal was an “attempt to silence and intimidate” international human rights groups.
Oxfam America’s Noah Gottschalk describes accusations of antisemitism as “false, baseless and offensive” and denied any suggestion it supports BDS.
“Oxfam and our Israeli and Palestinian partners have worked on the ground for decades to promote human rights and provide lifesaving support for Israeli and Palestinian communities,” he said.
Human Rights Watch denied the allegations and said “criticising government policy is not the same as attacking a specific group of people.”
“For example, our critiques of US government policy do not make us anti-American,” the charity said.
The Washington Post reported the proposal faces opposition from several department officials, who fear it could be a “gift to authoritarian governments”.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is reportedly pushing the move in anticipation of a potential presidential bid in 2024, according to Politico.
President Trump has been a close ally of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and helping to negotiate agreements with UAE and Bahrain.