An Israeli human rights group is opening a branch in Washington.
B’Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, says it is opening the office to promote debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to educate American Jews about human rights.
Founded in 1989, B’Tselem endeavors to “document and educate the Israeli public and policymakers about human rights violations in the Occupied Territories,” reduce denial of human rights violations in Israeli society and foster human rights culture in Israel, according to the organization’s Web site.
B’Tselem also occasionally has criticized Palestinian human rights violations, calling the holding of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit a “war crime.” The group also regularly urges the Israeli government to ease roadblocks in the West Bank.
