Ayalon, Lewis discuss UK funding of NGOs with a clear anti-government agenda in Israel.
ivan lewis danny ayalon 248.88(photo credit: AP)By HERB KEINONIsrael protested the British government's funding of NGOs during a meeting Wednesday between deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon and Ivan Lewis, the British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East.
Lewis, who took over this post in June, is currently on a four-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Britain, along with Holland and Spain, were among the foreign governments that funded Breaking the Silence, and - Israeli officials said - Israel has made it a point to raise its displeasure with the foreign funding of political NGOs in recent high level meetings.
The officials said that while Breaking the Silence was not specifically raised in the meeting with Lewis, Israel made it clear that it was bothered by foreign government funding of NGOs with a clear anti-government agenda in Israel.
At the same time, during the meeting Ayalon praised the strategic relationship and cooperation between Israel and Great Britain, and called on the British government to remain resolute in face of demands for the delegitimization and boycott of Israel.
Lewis, at a press briefing Wednesday night, said he felt there now existed what was perhaps the last opportunity in a generation to solve the conflict in the region, and that it was the obligation of the leaders to do so. He said that the solution was to be found within the framework of a two-state solution, in which Israel would not have to worry about its security every day.
He said he was concerned that the crossings into Gaza remained closed, leading to increased smuggling through the tunnels into Gaza. He also criticized Jewish housing projects in east Jerusalem, saying they caused friction and suspicion, and didn't help the two sides move forward in the diplomatic process.
Lewis said he was also concerned about ongoing incitement by the Palestinians.RECOMMENDED STORIESUS military sending two destroyers to Middle EastJUNE 12, 2025Israel trying to persuade US to join in continuing strikes on Iran, sources tell 'Post'JUNE 13, 2025Vacation ruse, phantom trip, hostage decoy: How Israel misled Tehran before Iran strikeJUNE 13, 2025Mossad leads series of secret attack operations in heart of IranJUNE 13, 2025