Israeli ministers reacted angrily on Sunday after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she feared for the future of Israel`s democracy and the rights of women in the Jewish state.
Israeli lawmakers, particularly right-wing members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s government, have in recent months championed a series of bills criticised by local rights groups as an attempt to rein in left-leaning NGOs and journalists.
Among the most controversial of the proposed laws is one that would limit foreign funding for certain NGOs -- legislation that leftist activists say targets groups opposed to Israeli occupation that report on violations of Palestinian human rights.
A senior State Department official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Clinton "is concerned about the NGO law" and Israeli "conservative comments on women."
Clinton`s remarks, reportedly delivered behind closed doors Saturday at the Saban Forum in Washington, made headlines in most Israeli newspapers.
Top-selling Yediot Aharonot said Clinton had described shock at hearing that some buses in Jerusalem were gender-segregated and that some religious Israeli soldiers refused to attend events where women would sing.
Source
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment