Rethinking Palestine Countering Attacks on the Palestine Movement in Europe with Agnese Valenti
6 snips
Apr 29, 2025 
Agnese Valenti, Senior Legal Officer at the European Legal Support Centre, joins the discussion to delve into the coordinated attacks on Palestinian civil society in Europe. She highlights how Israeli-backed NGOs are suppressing pro-Palestine advocacy through intimidation and defunding tactics. Valenti stresses the rise in repression following October 7, 2023, and the complicity of media in perpetuating negative narratives. She also introduces a 'Know Your Rights' toolkit to empower civil society organizations navigating funding challenges and emphasizes the need for a united response to counter lobby pressures.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Defunding as Political Suppression
- Defunding and derisking of Palestine-related organizations are political tools for suppressing dissent.
- Pro-Israel lobby groups orchestrate these actions using unfounded terror and antisemitism allegations.
Decade-long Smear Campaign Example
- A decade-long media smear campaign falsely accused two associations and their president of terrorism ties.
- Following US terror designations, banks closed their accounts, crippling their ability to operate.
Ashabaka's Swiss Investigation Ordeal
- Ashabaka faced a false public investigation claim by Switzerland’s FDFA linked to Israeli NGO Monitor.
- The dispute diverted resources but exposed political motives behind funding decisions.