AJC Slams Action Against Hunger for Documentary on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

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Nov 06, 2013, 01:54 ET

PARIS, Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC France has expressed deep dismay with Action Against Hunger, a major humanitarian organization, for its key role in producing and disseminating a blatantly, one-sided movie about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film, "Broken Hopes," sets forth an erroneous narrative that Israel is solely responsible for the conflict.

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AJC France Chair René-Pierre Azria, in a letter to Stéphanie Rivoal, president of Action Against Hunger (ACF) in Paris, charged that the group had broken its own fundamental principles by supporting a film that is replete with attacks on Israel.

"Considering the remarkable work of ACF and being a multi-year supporter thereof, I wish to express my profound indignation regarding this documentary," wrote Azria.

He added that ACF involvement with "Broken Hopes" contravenes the non-profit organization's own founding principles of "independence, neutrality, non-discrimination, free and direct access to victims, professionalism and transparency."

The film showcases three experts whose anti-Israeli positions are known. They include Yehuda Shaul, co-founder of Breaking the Silence, an NGO that has played a major role in the BDS (Boycott, Divestiture and Sanctions) campaign against Israel; Michel Warschawski, co-founder of the Alternative Information Center and a public opponent of Israel's existence; and Stephen Wilkinson, who is involved with organizations that glorify lawfare against Israel.

"This documentary presents a unilateral and partial story of Palestinian 'victimization,'" wrote Azria, adding that significant, positive interactions are ignored. "The program of economic cooperation between the two parties amounts each year to several million Euros to which one must add the multiple private initiatives of Israeli and Jewish organizations covering all economic sectors."

He also pointed out that the film disregards widely reported Palestinian Authority "corruption regarding the management of aid received from the international community."

Azria expressed personal indignation over the involvement of Action Against Hunger with "Broken Hopes."

"This documentary kindles the stigmatization against Israeli people and contributes nothing to your mission of general interest. Its dissemination threatens the very principles of your organization."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee