US to Label Amnesty, HRW, Oxfam ‘Antisemitic’ Organizations

Mike Pompous A*Hole and Benjamin Nutty Yahoo | File Photo

The human rights group Amnesty International responded to reported accusations made earlier by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in which he accused the group, among other organizations, of ‘antisemitism’.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 21, Amnesty described Pompeo’s accusations as “baseless”, and “another attempt to silence and intimidate international human rights organizations”.

Secretary Pompeo’s labeling of several non-governmental organizations as ‘antisemitic’ could lead to legal action by the US Department of State, resulting in withholding of funds from these organizations.

“The administration is spreading misinformation and working to undermine those who are working to protect human rights,” Bob Goodfellow, the Interim Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, said in a statement.

“Amnesty International USA is deeply committed to fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate worldwide, and will continue to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied. We vigorously contest any allegation of antisemitism,” Goodfellow added.

Earlier in the day, Politico news portal reported that “the Trump administration is considering declaring that several prominent international NGOs — including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam — are anti-Semitic and that governments should not support them.”

Citing sources that are familiar with the story, Politico also reported that “the proposed declaration could come from the State Department as soon as this week.”

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