Concert - Together for Israel

Background

Concert - Together for Israel's "activity and funding are based on a partnership between philanthropists, organizations and a joint venture agreement with the State of Israel and the Ministry of Strategic Affairs."

The Concert for the organisation states that the goals of Concert are

"to enhance the image of Israel in the global arena and combat delegitimization and new antisemitism worldwide, using tools of public diplomacy. Concert provides funding to like-minded groups that promote programs consistent with the objectives of Concert. Concert supports and fosters cooperation within the network of pro-Israel organizations in Israel and abroad, using a range of tools, such as mapping, planning, and research; organizing delegations of thought leaders to Israel; facilitating social media engagement and campaigns; empowering initiatives of organizations in the pro-Israel network; building professional capabilities and advancing innovative and creative endeavors that promote a positive perception of Israel and combat hate and incitement against the State of Israel."

Key figures listed on Concert's website are:

• Micha Lakin Avni [ Micah Avni ]
• Lior Weintraub
• Smadar Haviv
• Navah Edelstein [ Nava Edelstein ]

Shareholder and board members of Concert (formally Kella Shlomo) include Micah Avni, Sagi Balasha, Dore Gold, Yossi Kuperwasser, the former director general of the Strategic ministry and Ehud Danoch, the former Israeli consul general in Los Angeles.

The initial documents filed by Kella Shlomo (now Concert Together for Israel) named Vasker as a consultant and one of the corporation’s three signatories.” Speaking to Haaretz, Vasker “confirmed he had helped Kuperwasser in the fight against BDS, saying he had proposed a technological idea. However, he added that he is not now active in the Kella Shlomo corporation.” He later confirmed, “that ICS is a project he manages, but refused to disclose its clients.”

In January 2018, Avni was positioned as the CEO of Concert-Together for Israel. In an interview with the Times of Israel Avni suggests that “if a global consensus ever develops that Israel has no right to exist, the country will indeed cease to exist.” Anvi points to Airbnb’s West Bank boycott as an example of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activity.

According to Russia Toady, Concert is a corporation “created” by the Israeli Government, which received ‘$37 million from the Netanyahu government, and reportedly expected to raise the same amount through international donors, from “philanthropic sources” and “pro-Israel organizations”’ to “implement part of the ministry’s activities related to the struggle against the phenomena of delegitimization and boycotts against the State of Israel.”

According to RT, in December 2017 the Israeli Government “approved plans to dedicate $75 million to fight the international Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.” Kella Shlomo will primarily target social media and online: engagement in the online space “the opponent directs most of his conscious and moving efforts to this space,” and will conduct ‘“mass awareness activities” and organize delegations of public opinion leaders “especially those who influence non-Jews.’

Activity

Concert is seen as a “public benefit company” that “first, to build a strategic picture of who the demonizers are, what they’re doing right, and how best to counter them. And then, second, to help organize, direct and fund the counter-strategy.”

Anvi states that the Israel government’s involvement is vital to combat BDS successfully: “You can’t talk about Israel’s image, or combating the delegitimization of Israel, without the government actually having some kind of involvement in that,” he argues, because otherwise “everything would be left completely to everybody’s interpretation. “…there are lots of challenges working with the government — and every day I learn about new ones,” but “to my mind you can’t address this in a major way without them having a seat at the table.”

He adds: “If you have an organization whose mission is to protect the state and to build up the state’s image, and it’s not working in full cooperation with the state, then it can’t really be doing its job. And if you don’t want to be cooperative with the state because you don’t like the government, well, I feel like that’s something you need to deal with within yourself, because we’re a democratic state. We have a government. Once it was a different government. Maybe two weeks from now it will be another government. That’s what we have, what we have to live with… That’s the playing field.”

Concert’s mission is to “combat delegitimization of Israel and help strengthen Israel’s image in the world.” Avni says that Concert is managed “by a board of directors of which I am the chairman and has shareholders like any public benefit company.” Its CEO is Ayelet Shiloh Tamir, the former CEO of Masa (Israel experience programs). “And there is a steering committee where the government has representation and oversight on budget, so they know what’s going on and where things are going.”

Concert is seen as a long-term project, “Working to strengthen Israel’s image is not a problem that started yesterday, and it’s not a problem that we’re going to fix tomorrow morning’, Avni states.

After the death of his father, Anvi states he became more activistic for the Pro-Israel cause, however what he saw was a disconnected industry: “a bunch of silos — lots of different organizations, some doing great stuff, some doing less effective stuff — but hardly working together, hardly communicating. And a government doing its stuff each time, changing with different governments and different ministers.” Concert aimed to fix this: “Not people sitting around the table, agreeing on a unified strategy, and then combing organizations and doing everything together,” but as the facilitator, so that “when different organizations can collaborate on certain projects, and their skill sets can help strengthen one another, we can help pull that together.”

One part of the strategy is gathering publicly available information: “It became very clear to us over time that we need to distance ourselves as much as possible from any kind of concept of intelligence gathering or stuff like that. We’re working completely and entirely with public information.”

“If a person puts up a post, a public post on Facebook, and says I’m a big supporter of this or that anti-Israel organization, not only that but I’m organizing a demonstration on my campus tomorrow — if they put that public post out for the whole world to know, that’s public information, so there’s nothing wrong with being aware of that post and making sure that the Jewish students on their campus are aware of it,” he says. “Which would be very different from breaking into somebody’s email and seeing what’s going on there or following them on the street.” “Our line is very clear: only completely public information in terms of what we’re gathering, following every law in every state in terms of databases, in terms of privacy. We’ve got the best legal advice. We did a big block of work in terms of building up ethical standards.”

Avni says that Concert will not have anything “to do with Black Cube or psyop (psychological operations) types.” Adding that he’s “sure that military intelligence and Mossad do all sorts of things protecting our country and protecting Israel. If anything like that needs to be done, that’s the place for it to be done.” Avni adds that “without information it’s very difficult to build an effective strategy on the other fronts.”

At the beginning of 2018, when the Israeli Government stepped in the information gathering work was split into a Concert-funded subsidiary headed by Yossi Kuperwasser — a former head of research in the IDF Military Intelligence division and an ex-director general of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs — called Keshet David (formally knowns as Innovative Collaboration Strategies.

Avni also says that Concert wants to empower “the pro-Israel community. It’s basically setting up roundtables and bringing people together, organizations, so that they can work more effectively, benefit from information, benefit from matching funding. We have a pool of money where we can match funding on activities which are meeting our goals.”

In the future, Concert will help with pro-Israel campaigns “through existing organizations — marketing and public relations, getting messaging across.” He adds that with “those who are attacking us, we need to understand what they’re doing, and understand what’s working and what’s not, and think of ways that we as a pro-Israel community can tone down what’s actually damaging us out there. But most of the Western world is in the middle,” he says, “There’s places there where we really need to be influencing.”

Avni wants Concert to serve as a “pro-Israel accelerator — for different startups, for people who have great ideas and initial concepts that they want to test out to either combat BDS or build up the country’s image.”

On the Government involvement, Anvi states that “The government gets a copy of every invoice for everything that their matching funds have been used for; They have complete transparency into the books. They get monthly reporting. That is all viewed by the comptroller of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and the legal adviser of the ministry. It doesn’t mean that they have decision-making power on every invoice or expense, but they’ll know exactly where the money is going, so presumably if somebody would ever be doing something not kosher, it would be seen and be very clear.” Anvi adds that Concert “are considering working together with Act.il in terms of help getting information and making it publicly available. They’ve built up a wonderful system of getting pro-Israel activists around the world together to work online influencing things. We’re looking at that, and perhaps we’ll be helping that expand into other areas of the world.”

Meetings and Funding

A legal opinion written at the of establishment by the Ministry of Strategic Affair’s legal adviser stated that the activities to be conducted by Concert would be those that “require an ‘outside the government’ discussion with the different target audiences.” Concert would “provide a rapid and coordinated response against the attempts to tarnish the image of Israel around the world.”

The first steering committee meetings, in July 2018, revealed cash flow problems and requests to the government to get the project started. At the committee’s second meeting in November of 2018, ‘Concert’s representatives reported to the government that creating the “work structure and methods of operation of Concert in the United States has turned out to be a matter of high complexity,” and asked to hire a U.S. lawyer, whose name remains confidential, at a cost of 133,000 shekels.’

At third meeting in December 2018, Ayelet Shiloh Tamir, explained that “because of the difficulty and refusal of donors to donate directly to Concert, a mechanism must be allowed through which contributions are transferred to the organization that carries out the activity and from it to Concert.”

The final meeting, reported by Forward, was in January 2020 here “Concert’s representatives complained to the government about a lack of a budget. At this meeting, the company’s chairman of the board, Micah Avni, expressed his dissatisfaction with the low budget for the year just beginning because of the frozen state budget”

Anvi reported said that “A much higher budget is required than the agreement the government allocated,”

“We need flexibility to operate separately from the government, from politics and budget. The company is building relationships with groups and donors who are hesitant about working with the government, something that in itself takes time, but the trust is being rebuilt and the timing is sensitive. … The decision not to keep the government’s commitment according to the cabinet decision is devastating. From the beginning, this was small change for such a broad phenomenon and the value the government will get relative to the true budget required to deal with the phenomenon.”

Minutes from the steering committee meetings describe the contracts Concert would establishing. These included: ‘research and information; awareness campaigns (“defensive and offensive”); the digital battlefield; public relations delegations of “influencers” to Israel,and “strengthening pro-Israeli network.”’ One project dealing with the “link between BDS organizations and terrorist organizations” cost of 2.4 million shekels.

Co-operators with Concert included: ‘delegations of influencers on the part of a U.S. organization called Our Soldiers Speak; delegations of evangelical clergy of Christians United for Israel; and an organization named Eagles’ Wings, which Concert staff said is “viewed as more liberal in the evangelical Christian world, so it is able to reach wider audiences.”’

Forward report that 2.5 million shekels funded “the organization Israel-is, whose goal, according to the documents, was “preparing Israelis for their big trip” – providing seminars for backpackers before trips to Latin America and Thailand of the type many Israelis take after completing their military service. The program’s website says its goal is to help and strengthen Israel’s image around the world. Other funds went to the Zionist Federation in South Africa; an organization named The Israel Allies Foundation, which describes itself as promoting political support for Israel on the basis of Judeo-Christian values; and the Reservists on Duty’s Gideon Group project, which trains Israeli students to counter the BDS movement on campuses overseas, as well as other projects.”

Concert Portfolio

A number of projects, either supported or funded by Concert, are listed on Concert's website:

• European Jewish Association (EJA) Described as "“Bootcamps” - Two-day training program for 40 young Jewish leaders and pro-Israel activists from all over Europe providing them with tools and knowledge meant to empower and prepare them for combatting Antisemitism and advocating for the State of Israel in Europe. Sessions include learning about the Abraham Accords, modern manifestations of Antisemitism and the challenges in advocating on social media platforms and in public discourse. The “Bootcamps” build the next generation of European Jewish leaders enabling them to continue to advocate for Israel and combat Antisemitism."

• Israel Engage Israel Engage is described as "a virtual summit designed to equip student leaders on universities and colleges across North America with the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence in order to effectively combat antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric on campus and on social media platforms. Israel Engage training summit teaches students about Jewish indigeneity to the Land of Israel, how to advocate for Israel on social media, how to use the law to fight antisemitism, along with practical strategies to ensure campuses adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism."

• Leaders of Tomorrow According to Concert, "Leaders of Tomorrow program was established in order to create a bridge between young Israelis and young people from the Gulf states by creating joint forums, digital hackathons and mutual delegations. Thus, facilitating direct interpersonal dialogue between young people from Israel with their counterparts in UAE, Bahrain and Morocco, enabling them to demonstrate to international audiences the meaning of the Abraham Accords."

• Reservists on Duty According to Concert, "Gideon Group is a flagship leadership program in the field of public diplomacy. Gideon Group trains 120 students on 6 campuses throughout Israel, providing them with professional, in-depth training and tools for better understanding Israel in today’s context as well as a historical perspective. The program prepares the students to better share the truth about Israel and combat incitement against Israel on social networks. Upon completion of the training, the students lead projects and activities on social media platforms."

• Israel-Is According to Concert, “Backpackers as ambassadors” empowers young Israelis to proudly bring positive representation of Israel to diverse locations, challenging misinformation about the Jewish state through peer-to-peer interactions and activities. As these trained Israeli ambassadors extensively trek throughout Central and South America and the Far East, they organize various meet-ups and take advantage of opportunities to positively influence public opinion about Israel.

• Genesis Prize Foundation with Matan (Israeli affiliate of United Way Worldwide: Investing in the Community "Genesis Prize Competition “Speak Out for Israel.” Concert partners with the Genesis Prize Foundation and Matan: Investing in the Community to support 25 Israeli organizations whose projects expand the Israeli discourse beyond the conflict." Those organisation were:

Projects and organizations set to receive funding include:

• • ADL Israel, American Jewish Committee, ELNET, United with Israel, which will engage diplomats, policymakers, legislators and high-level influencers in conversations about multiculturalism and democracy in Israel, as well as anti-Semitism and delegitimization of the Jewish State;
  • Stand with Us, a popular fellowship program training highly capable brand ambassadors for Israel;
  • Jerusalem Press Club and the Honest Reporting project by Media Central, which work with foreign reporters and media outlets in Israel and beyond to promote better-informed coverage;
  • Initiatives such as Heroes for Life and Innovation Africa, which recruit Israelis who volunteer to travel and work around the world, including underdeveloped communities in Africa, Central and South America to promote education, health and infrastructure in the context of Jewish values;
  • Creative Community for Peace and Music Port, which work to promote understanding of Israeli culture and its links with the global creative community – as members of the entertainment industry are being targeted by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement;
  • Startup Nation Central Innovation Discovery Platform and Taglit’s Center for Israeli Innovation, which provide information to global Jewish and non-Jewish audiences highlighting the many contributions of Israel’s high tech sector.
  • Also: Act-IL Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya | THE AGUDA – The Association for LGBTQI Equality in Israel | B’nai B’rith World Center Jerusalem | Heroes for Life | HonestReporting’s MediaCentral Project | Innovation: Africa | he Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism | Jewish Agency for Israel | Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs | Maala – Business for Social Responsibility | NGO Monitor | ON THE MAP – The New Israeli Film & TV Fund | The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation | The Reut Group: From Vision to Reality | Taglit Birthright Israel | United with Israel | Vibe Israel

• South African Zionist Federation Concert worked on '“Blankets of Hope,” a tikun olam project aimed at improving the perception of Israel and strengthen support for Israel from local South African churches. The project included distribution of warm soup and thousands of blankets branded “With love from Israel” to the homeless.'

• America Israel Friendship League According to Concert, "The America-Israel Friendship League builds and mobilizes support for Israel and strengthens the relationship between the two countries through people-to-people exchanges. A leadership delegation to Israel of the US National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) for a week-long professional visit to educate on political realities in the Middle East through a series of meetings and briefings; covering social, economic, and geopolitical issues relating to Israel and its neighbors; promoting the understanding of the vital historic friendship between the United States and Israel by NAAG state and local chief law enforcement representatives."

• I like Israel According to Concert, '“I Like Israel” (ILI) events provide an opportunity to move beyond the negative news items about Israel in the German press and to showcase the achievements of the Jewish state. ILI hosted a first-of-its-kind conference, held in Frankfurt, Germany, with 150 pro-Israel activists from across Europe and Israel. The conference included peer joint learning sessions, networking, and round table discussions to enhance the capacities of the professional staff of pro-Israel organizations working to improve the perception of Israel in Europe.'

• The MirYam Institute According to Concert, "The MirYam institute champions rigorous debate about Israel, led by Israelis who hold diverse opinions, but who are unified in their dedication to a flourishing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. MirYam organized a delegation to Israel that included graduate and postgraduate students from around the world studying for degrees in international law, public policy, and communications at some of the most elite universities, many of whom are likely to be the policy makers of tomorrow. The program delved into the complexities and truths about Israel and the Middle East."

• Israel Allies Foundation According to Concert, "The Israel Allies Foundation is a non-governmental organization that encourages cooperation between faith-based supporters of Israel in 40 parliaments and legislatures worldwide, who endorse the right of Israel to exist within secure borders. In cooperation with Concert, IAF organized its annual faith-based diplomacy conference in Jerusalem, which brought together caucus chairpersons to discuss joint strategy and set policy relating to important Israeli initiatives for the upcoming year."

• Hasbara Fellowships According to Concert, "Hasbara Fellowships is a pro-Israel campus leadership program working with over 80 universities across North America. Concert supports Hasbara Fellowship leadership training delegations of students to Israel. The program brings student leaders to tour, learn, and participate in simulations, which provided participants with important information and tools to be used in their capacity of educators about Israel when they return to their campuses."

• Ohr Torah Stone’s Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation According to Concert, "The Ohr Torah Stone Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation (CJCUC) is dedicated to religious dialogue, mutual understanding, and active cooperation between Jews and Christians. Concert helped fund a delegation of African and US United Methodist Church leaders to Israel. The delegation met with leaders of Israeli industry in the fields of water, agriculture, and medicine, as well as with Israeli public officials, to obtain a better understanding of modern-day Israel and to coordinate humanitarian aid for Christians facing financial hardship in the birthplace of Christianity and in other areas in the Middle East."

• Conexion Israel According to Concert, "Conexion Israel brings business people, decision makers, politicians, and journalists to Israel to learn about the most important Israeli innovations and technologies, to strengthen growth and development in Latin America, and to nurture ties of cooperation with Israel. Concert funded a delegation to Israel of senior Mexican religious leaders, who toured strategic geopolitical areas and met with top Israeli innovators."

• Eagles Wings According to Concert, "Eagles Wings is a global pro-Israel community that focuses on bridging friendships across cultural divides. Concert supported two delegations to Israel of young leaders from Brazil and the US, where they gained tools to help serve as educated ambassadors for Israel in various aspects of their lives and leadership, now and in the future."