Ronn Torossian
The author is one of the most well respected Public Relations professionals in the world, and founded 1 of the 15 largest PR firms in the U.S..Tel Aviv Police have named several far-left groups with ties to the New Israel Fund as being behind the violent riots that took place at the Ethiopian community's recent demonstrations.
This weekend, Israel has been rocked by violent riots against the police, which have resulted in 55 officers injured. Peaceful protests by the Ethiopian Jewish community, held after a tape emerged which saw an Ethiopian IDF soldier being beaten by a cop, have been exploited by NIF-funded organizations.
Naturally, in the interest of such groups to harm Israel – and by showing black people protesting in the Jewish State it furthers the image they wish to show of Israel as a racist state.
And just as naturally, neither the Ethiopian Jews nor the people of Israel are standing for it.
On Channel 2 Sunday night, a protest organizer noted, "From the beginning of the protest it was quiet, the police showed restraint, we showed restraint. Ayalon (Highway) was blocked for three hours and nothing (i.e. no violence) happened there."
Then, he explains, when they reached Rabin Square, "We came here, and all sorts of organizations joined us,” adding, "Everything that you see around here wasn't supposed to be," he said, indicating the violent unrest. “It started with unrest, and those who stirred it up - you won't see anyone from the (Ethiopian) community (among them)."
Deputy Tel Aviv District Commander Brig. Gen. Yoram Ohayon was quoted by Yedioth Aharonoth, a leading newspaper, as saying that anarchist groups are behind the violence. Ohayon told the media that "different sorts of anarchists, 'Lo Nechmadim,' 'Hamaabara,' who are taking part in the protest. They aren't just taking part in the protest, they're breaching the agreements [the protestors made] with us."
Hamaabara and Lo Nechmadim are singled out by the New Israel Fund as “giving voice to public engagement” in Israel, and hence worthy of support by the New Israel Fund.
It should be noted across the political spectrum, from the left to the right, government representatives appeared at the protests and agreed racism is unacceptable, as is violence by the police. Similarly, across the political spectrum, from the courts to the government, the army to the people, the New Israel Fund radical actions are rejected in Israel.
Today, the Tel Aviv Deputy Tel Aviv District Commander of the police said that New Israel Fund funded organizations are responsible for the violence.
Once again, we ask how can the American Jewish community fund the New Israel Fund which harms Israel? How can Alisa Doctoroff and the Jewish Communal Fund and the Leichtag Foundation and others give funds to an organization which funds violence against Israeli police officers?
Authors: George Birnbaum is an international political consultant, who formerly served as chief of staff for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hank Sheinkopf, CEO of Sheinkopf Communications is a leading political strategist who has worked on campaigns in four continents. His clients have included former President Bill Clinton. Ronn Torossian is CEO of a top 20 US PR Agency, and author of “For Immediate Release.”