Much of the misinformation about Israel that finds its way into the mainstream press originates with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) devoted to defaming the Jewish state. These NGOs, generally Israeli or Palestinian, receive funding from a variety of European organizations, which in turn receive public funds from their governments. Gerald Steinberg explains:
During its first decade, Zochrot was a fringe NGO with little impact. The rapid rise in the visibility of its activities . . . as well as mainstream media coverage were mainly due to a significant increase in funding, primarily originating from European governments. . . . [T]he funding processes are generally not subject to the norms of accountability and transparency and constitute a significant “democratic deficit.”
By funding [these] organizations . . . European governments have become enablers of the NGOs’ radical agenda. These activities and overall agendas do not advance the stated objectives of democracy and human rights and are often incompatible with declared European foreign-policy objectives.
Read more on Middle East Quarterly: http://www.meforum.org/4912/europeans-fund-anti-israel-libels