The Jerusalem-based think tank NGO Monitor responded sharply to the decision by Amnesty International-UK Tuesday to reject a motion which would have had it campaign against anti-Semitism in the UK.
NGO Monitor noted that there have been repeated anti-Semitic incidents "within the organization itself - in particular the activities of staff member Kristyan Benedict, who currently is listed as 'crisis response manager,'" and who it described as having a long history of "obsessive anti-Israel attacks and anti-Semitic outbursts."
The group noted how Benedict threatened physical violence against a pro-Israel attendee at an event he chaired, and how in November 2011 he tweeted a verbal barrage against three Jewish British MPs who he labelled as war-mongers.
Following the 2011 tweet, the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group against Anti-Semitism launched an inquiry on AIUK trying to clarify its policies taken to stop anti-Semitism. Benedict has been investigated by AUIK for some of his rhetoric, but "serious steps have not been taken."
While AIUK tried to justify its rejection of the motion on anti-Semitism by saying it was a campaign "with a single focus," NGO Monitor pointed out that AIUK has often launched "single focus" campaigns in the past.
In an "overwhelming" approval it passed a 2010 resolution on discrimination towards the Sinti and Roma communities, stating "within the last year widespread discrimination and violence against Sinti and Roma communities has intensified in a number of European countries, which Amnesty International has published within respective country reports."
"AUIK's silence on anti-Semitism stands in sharp contrast," appraised the group, noting that anti-Semitism in Europe is reaching record levels.
Moreover, in 2012 Amnesty International issued a 123-page report on discrimination against Muslims in Europe.
NGO Monitor also argued that Amnesty International and AIUK "disproportionately single out Israel for condemnations, and focus attacks on Israel while ignoring severe and systematic human rights violations in the region."
Likewise it noted how many Amnesty officials and "researchers" have a documented history of anti-Israel activism.
"AUIK's decision to turn its back on anti-Semitism is consistent with this immoral record," concluded NGO Monitor.