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January 9, 2004/Tevet 15 5764, Vol. 56, No. 16
Ford remedies under scrutiny
MATTHEW E. BERGER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
WASHINGTON - The Ford Foundation has hired a former Clinton administration official with strong ties to the Jewish community to help promote a new policy forbidding grant recipients from supporting terrorism or bigotry.
The appointment of Stuart Eizenstat comes as key leaders in the U.S. Congress say they will move forward to investigate the use of Ford funds and the accountability of such tax-exempt groups.
It also comes as Palestinian groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip - including the major Palestinian umbrella group for non-governmental organizations, which receives Ford funding - said Jan. 5 that they would not accept U.S. humanitarian aid to protest new U.S. requirements that they sign a pledge guaranteeing that the money will not be used to support terrorism.
Since a JTA investigative series this fall, Ford has been working with American Jewish groups and lawmakers to reshape its image and institute new guidelines for grant recipients.
Eizenstat, former deputy Treasury secretary and special representative for Holocaust issues in the Clinton administration, said he also likely will serve as a liaison between Ford and Jewish community leaders.
While some outspoken Jewish leaders want hearings, several key Jewish organizations say they want to give Ford time to implement its new policies and do not support a congressional investigation at this time.
Organizational officials say Jewish support for Ford stems from the foundation's willingness to work with Jewish groups on the issues, even with possible future Ford funding of programs that combat anti-Semitism.
Others in the community say they are concerned that the hearings are politically motivated, and they're concerned that Congress might move to place new restrictions on all foundations, many of which fund programs in line with the American Jewish community's priorities.
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