The New Israel Fund has been accused of having direct connections with Basel Ghattas (pictured). Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev alleged on Monday that the New Israel Fund (NIF) nonprofit has direct connections with Basel Ghattas, a former Arab member of the Knesset recently convicted of aiding imprisoned Palestinian terrorists.

“This is not the New Israel Fund — this is a fund that wants a new Israel, an Israel that gives a platform for the support and glorification of terrorists,” said Regev.

“It’s very sad to see an organization which touts ideas like tolerance and the rule of law every chance it gets, but then turns around and pays with its own money for advertising an event in honor of a man convicted of helping terrorists,” she added. “The New Israel Fund is funding and supporting terrorists. [They don’t belong] in our schools.”

Regev’s comments followed a report published on Sunday by Israel Hayom, according to which the NIF assisted with advertising a farewell celebration for Ghattas. In March, Ghattas received a two-year prison sentence after being caught smuggling cellular phones, SIM cards and coded messages to imprisoned Palestinian terrorists.