In recent years, the issue of Palestinian rights has gained more attention and support all around the world. However, there are still powerful forces working to suppress this growing movement. One of these forces is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobbying group that has been using its influence and tactics to crush support for Palestinians in the United States for decades. And now, it seems that these same tactics are being exported to Europe through the funding of a little-known organization called ELNET.
ELNET, which stands for European Leadership Network, has been quietly making its way into European politics, promoting pro-Israel policies and pushing a pro-Israel agenda. But what many people don’t know is that this organization is largely funded by American donors, who have a long history of supporting AIPAC. And just like AIPAC, ELNET is using its financial resources to influence European politics and silence any support for Palestinian rights.
One of the main funders of ELNET is the DeVos family, known for their support of right-wing causes and organizations in the United States. The DeVos family has donated millions of dollars to ELNET, which has allowed the organization to establish offices in Brussels, Berlin, and Paris. Through these offices, ELNET has been able to build relationships with European leaders and influence their policies towards Israel.
But the DeVos family is not the only American donor to ELNET. The Adelson Family Foundation, led by billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, has also been a major contributor to the organization. Adelson, known for his staunch support of Israel, has been a key player in funding pro-Israel groups in the United States, and now it seems he is expanding his influence to Europe through ELNET.
So what exactly is ELNET doing with all this American funding? According to their website, the organization’s main goal is to strengthen the relationship between Europe and Israel. This may sound innocent enough, but in reality, it means promoting pro-Israel policies and silencing any criticism of Israel’s human rights violations against Palestinians.
ELNET has been actively working to build relationships with European leaders, organizing trips to Israel for European politicians and sponsoring events that promote a positive image of Israel. This has allowed the organization to gain influence and access to decision-makers in Europe, which they have used to push for policies that align with the Israeli government’s agenda.
One example of ELNET’s influence can be seen in the recent decision by the Austrian government to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism. This definition has been widely criticized for conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism and has been used to silence pro-Palestinian activism. ELNET has been actively promoting this definition in Europe, and their efforts have paid off with Austria’s adoption of it.
But ELNET’s activities go beyond just promoting pro-Israel policies. The organization has also been targeting European political parties, particularly those on the center-right, and offering them financial support in exchange for their support of Israel. This tactic is similar to AIPAC’s strategy of donating to political candidates in the United States to ensure their loyalty to Israel.
ELNET’s actions have raised concerns among human rights activists and pro-Palestinian groups in Europe. They see the organization as a threat to their efforts to bring attention to the plight of Palestinians and to hold Israel accountable for its actions. With the backing of powerful American donors, ELNET has been able to operate under the radar, but their influence is becoming more apparent as they continue to expand their operations in Europe.
It is concerning that American funders are using their resources to export the same tactics that have been used to suppress support for Palestinians in the United States to Europe. This not only undermines the efforts of European activists but also goes against the principles of democracy and free speech. It is crucial that we pay attention to the actions of organizations like ELNET and hold their American donors accountable for their role in promoting a pro-Israel agenda in Europe.
In conclusion, it is clear that ELNET is the AIPAC of Europe, funded by the same American donors and using similar tactics to promote a pro-Israel agenda. As the world becomes more aware of the injustices faced by Palestinians, it is important to remain vigilant and not let organizations like ELNET go unchecked. We must continue to support the Palestinian cause and stand against any attempts to silence their voices.
