"The time has come for Israel to adopt the American model, which requires anyone representing foreign interests to register and report their activity." So writes journalist Aluf Benn in Ha'aretz today, in light of what has become known as the Yossi Ginossar affair. "There is no supervision or limitation on Israelis who act as paid emissaries of foreign governments and entities [in terms of their] political, public and governmental activity in Israel," he writes. "Anybody can advise the most corrupt foreign dictator, or conduct a campaign at the behest of a foreign political agency, without telling anyone."
Though the Foreign Ministry must approve the appointments of honorary consuls, Benn writes, anyone else "can work as a private interest office for any foreign power or political party, lobbying for their interests in the Knesset and ministerial offices, without revealing the identity of those footing the bill for the job. Thus, any Israeli citizen can manage, even indirectly, Yasser Arafat's bank accounts [as Ginossar apparently did], and at the same time take part in political negotiations with him; thus, leftist groups and human rights groups can get European funding to influence Israeli policy." The American-law that Benn recommends emulating here is intended to guarantee that the public and its elected representatives would know the source of information and propaganda meant to influence public opinion, shape policy or legislation.
Though the Foreign Ministry must approve the appointments of honorary consuls, Benn writes, anyone else "can work as a private interest office for any foreign power or political party, lobbying for their interests in the Knesset and ministerial offices, without revealing the identity of those footing the bill for the job. Thus, any Israeli citizen can manage, even indirectly, Yasser Arafat's bank accounts [as Ginossar apparently did], and at the same time take part in political negotiations with him; thus, leftist groups and human rights groups can get European funding to influence Israeli policy." The American-law that Benn recommends emulating here is intended to guarantee that the public and its elected representatives would know the source of information and propaganda meant to influence public opinion, shape policy or legislation.