In recent years, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has garnered significant attention and sparked intense debates around the world. While the United States has long been a key player in this conflict, it seems that its influence is now extending beyond its borders. This is evident in the growing presence of American funders in Europe, who are exporting the same tactics that have been used by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to suppress support for Palestinians. One such organization is ELNET, which has been dubbed as the AIPAC of Europe.
ELNET, or the European Leadership Network, is a pro-Israel advocacy group that was founded in 2007. Its main objective is to strengthen the relationship between Europe and Israel, and to promote pro-Israel policies and initiatives in Europe. However, a closer look at the organization’s funding reveals a troubling trend – a significant portion of its funding comes from American donors who have strong ties to AIPAC.
One of the major funders of ELNET is the American Jewish Committee (AJC), a powerful pro-Israel organization that has been a staunch supporter of AIPAC for decades. In fact, the AJC has been described as the “foreign policy arm” of AIPAC, and its influence in Washington is well-known. It is no surprise then, that the AJC has also extended its reach to Europe through its support for ELNET.
Another major funder of ELNET is the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization that has close ties to AIPAC. The foundation’s founder, Charles Schusterman, was a major donor to AIPAC and served on its board of directors for many years. The foundation’s current CEO, Stacy Schusterman, is also a strong supporter of AIPAC and has been actively involved in its activities.
The presence of these American funders in Europe is concerning, as it signifies the exportation of AIPAC’s tactics to a new region. AIPAC is known for its aggressive lobbying efforts and its ability to influence American policies towards Israel. It has been successful in silencing any criticism of Israel and has effectively suppressed support for Palestinians in the United States. Now, with the support of these American funders, ELNET is attempting to replicate this success in Europe.
ELNET’s tactics are similar to those of AIPAC – it organizes trips to Israel for European policymakers, holds conferences and events to promote pro-Israel policies, and lobbies European governments to adopt a pro-Israel stance. These tactics have been effective in the United States, and it is likely that they will have a similar impact in Europe.
The influence of these American funders on ELNET’s activities is evident in its recent initiatives. In 2019, ELNET launched a campaign to combat the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Europe. The campaign, titled “Europeans for Israel,” aims to counter the growing support for BDS in Europe and promote a positive image of Israel. This campaign is reminiscent of AIPAC’s efforts to suppress the BDS movement in the United States.
The presence of American funders in Europe is not limited to ELNET. Other pro-Israel organizations, such as the American Jewish Congress and the American Israel Education Foundation, have also extended their reach to Europe. This trend is concerning, as it indicates a concerted effort to influence European policies towards Israel and suppress support for Palestinians.
The growing influence of these American funders in Europe raises questions about the independence and sovereignty of European governments. Are they being influenced by foreign actors to adopt policies that may not align with their own interests? Are they being pressured to silence any criticism of Israel and suppress support for Palestinians? These are important questions that need to be addressed.
In conclusion, the presence of American funders in Europe, particularly in organizations like ELNET, is a cause for concern. It signifies the exportation of AIPAC’s tactics to a new region, and raises questions about the independence of European governments. It is important for European policymakers and citizens to be aware of this trend and to critically examine the influence of these American funders on their policies. Only then can Europe truly play a fair and impartial role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
