Human Rights Watch Goes to Saudi Arabia to Demonize Israel and Raise Money

May 28, 2009

Human Rights Watch, which was largely created and funded by Jewish donors to promote traditional human rights concerns, is now cooperating and seeking funding from the leaders of Saudi Arabia - one of the major violators of the norms that HRW claims to promote. An article in the Arab News praised Human Rights Watch for "gaining more recognition and support in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world." The article notes that "[d]uring their recent visit to the Kingdom, senior members of the organization were given a welcoming dinner in Riyadh hosted by prominent businessman and intellectual Emad bin Jameel Al-Hejailan. Other prominent members of Saudi society, human rights activists and dignitaries were invited to the dinner held to honor the guests....Al-Hejailan said the credo of human rights is rising in the Kingdom. He commended Human Rights Watch (HRW) for its work on Gaza and the Middle East as a whole."  

Indeed, HRW's anti-Israel obsession was the major reason for Saudi fundraiser: "The group is facing a shortage of funds because of the global financial crisis and the work on Israel and Gaza, which depleted HRW's budget for the region." Indeed, HRW has played a central role in the demonization of Israel, based on the exploitation of the rhetoric of human rights. Under the leadership of Kenneth Roth, HRW has been active in the campaigns condemning Israeli responses to attacks from Gaza, as well as during the 2006 Lebanon War, the Palestinian mass terror campaign, and in many other examples, as documented by NGO Monitor. 

The Arab News article quotes Sarah Leah Whitson extensively (there is no indication of whether Kenneth Roth, who, as a Jew, would generally be refused entry by the Saudis, was allowed in as part of this benefit for HRW). Whitson is director of HRW's Middle East and North Africa Division, and a major contributor to anti-Israel propaganda using the rhetoric of human rights.

Whitson's appeal for Saudi support and money cited HRW's anti-Israel focus extensively, including the claim: "Human Rights Watch provided the international community with evidence of Israel using white phosphorus and launching systematic destructive attacks on civilian targets." NGO Monitor has systematically investigated and exposed HRW false and unsupported claims. In response, Whitson also invoked the canard of "pro-Israel pressure groups" which, she declared, "strongly resisted the report and tried to discredit it."

Similarly, Whitson told the Saudi leaders about HRW's role in anti- Israel activities in the US Congress and the United Nations, boasting that this propaganda campaign were instrumental in the UN "fact-finding mission to investigate the allegations of serious Israeli violations during the war on Gaza," to be headed by Justice Richard Goldstone, who is also a member of HRW's board.. On this basis alone, Goldstone should resign from both HRW and the UN group.

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Saudi Press:  Tuesday 26 May 2009 (01 Jumada al-Thani 1430)

HRW lauded for work in Gaza

Nasser Salti | Arab News —

RIYADH: Human Rights Watch is gaining more recognition and support in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world. During their recent visit to the Kingdom, senior members of the organization were given a welcoming dinner in Riyadh hosted by prominent businessman and intellectual Emad bin Jameel Al-Hejailan.

Other prominent members of Saudi society, human rights activists and dignitaries were invited to the dinner held to honor the guests.

In an introductory speech at the dinner, Al-Hejailan said the credo of human rights is rising in the Kingdom. He commended Human Rights Watch (HRW) for its work on Gaza and the Middle East as a whole.

HRW presented a documentary and spoke on the report they compiled on Israel violating human rights and international law during its war on Gaza earlier this year.

"Human Rights Watch provided the international community with evidence of Israel using white phosphorus and launching systematic destructive attacks on civilian targets. Pro-Israel pressure groups in the US, the European Union and the United Nations have strongly resisted the report and tried to discredit it," said Sarah Leah Whitson, director of HRW's Middle East and North Africa Division.

Whitson pointed out that the group managed to testify about Israeli abuses to the US Congress on three occasions. "US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel and the Hamas authorities in Gaza to cooperate with the United Nations fact-finding mission to investigate the allegations of serious Israeli violations during the war on Gaza. The mission will be headed by the reputable Justice Richard Goldstone."

Keeping with its mission of even-handed criticism, Human Rights Watch has also leveled criticism at other states in the region, including Saudi Arabia. The organization recently called on the Kingdom to do more to protect the human rights of domestic workers.

"Saudi Arabia's current labor law excludes domestic workers, denying them rights guaranteed to other workers, such as a weekly day of rest, limits to hours of work, and overtime pay," said HRW in a statement in March as the Shoura Council was debating the issue.

Hassan Elmasry, a member of HRW's International Board of Directors and the MENA Division's Advisory Committee, called for the support of the organization.

“Supporters can spot and fully discuss human rights cases or stories with friends or family members before passing stories or cases to HRW," Elmasry said.

The group is facing a shortage of funds because of the global financial crisis and the work on Israel and Gaza, which depleted HRW's budget for the region.

"Our work involved a lot of travel and expenses for researchers. We are so modest and conservative in running a tight budget of less than $2 million to cover costs and expenses for over 20 researchers working on the Middle East and North Africa," he said.

"Half of this amount comes from individual donors. We call businessmen in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world to support HRW by sending donations," said Elmasry, who is also a managing director at Morgan Stanley in London.

Related Topics:  Israel, Saudi Arabia  |  Gerald M. Steinberg receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free gatestone institute mailing list