Israel: Hardline lawmakers delay divisive bill

JERUSALEM – Hardline lawmakers in Israel say they have indefinitely postponed disputed legislation that would establish special committees to investigate the funding of dovish nonprofit groups they deem hostile to Israel.

The Yisrael Beitenu party initiated the bill, saying foreign funding for Israeli advocacy groups critical of government policy toward the Palestinians was dangerous and needed to be exposed. Many in Israel saw the legislation as political persecution.

Party spokesman Tal Nahum said Tuesday that the legislation was pulled after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided not to order his Likud Party to support the bill. Some Likud members said they would oppose the measure.

A second bill requiring nonprofit groups to publicly divulge funding from foreign governments passed Monday.