B’Tselem USA focuses on strengthening the growing anti-occupation movement both in the American Jewish community and American progressive movement.
B’Tselem USA is the sister organization of B’Tselem – the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. B’Tselem is an independent Israeli non-profit organization established in February 1989 by a group of prominent academics, attorneys, journalists, and Knesset members. It endeavors to document and educate the Israeli public and policymakers about human rights violations in the Occupied Territories, combat the phenomenon of denial prevalent among the Israeli public, and help create a human rights culture in Israel.
In Hebrew, “B’Tselem” literally means “in the image of,” and is also used as a synonym for human dignity. The word is taken from Genesis 1:27 “And God created humans in his image. In the image of God did He create him.” It is in this spirit that the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that, “All human beings are born equal in dignity and rights.”
B’Tselem acts primarily to change Israeli policy in the Occupied Territories and ensure that the Israeli government government, which rules the Occupied Territories, protects the human rights of residents there and complies with its obligations under international law. Its reports have gained B’Tselem a reputation for accuracy, and Israeli authorities take them seriously. B’Tselem ensures the reliability of information it publishes by conducting its own fieldwork and research, the results of which are thoroughly cross-checked with relevant documents, official government sources, and information from other sources, among them Israeli, Palestinian, and other human rights organizations.
Learn more about B’Tselem USA & its work:
Website: http://www.btselem.org/ (English), http://www.btselem.org/hebrew (Hebrew), http://www.btselem.org/arabic (Arabic)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/btselem
Twitter: @btselem
Subscribe: Sign up for the B’Tselem’s e-newsletter at the website (right-hand side of the page)
Join FMEP in supporting the work of B’Tselem by making a charitable contribution today.
