In the mid-1990s, American marketing consultant Gary Wexler was tasked by the Ford Foundation with helping strengthen civil society communications among its Israeli grantees. The foundation was funding both Jewish and Arab organizations, aiming to support democratic development and coexistence. What Wexler encountered, however, revealed a stark divide.

While Jewish groups spoke optimistically about peace and regional cooperation, Arab organizations approached discussions from an entirely different perspective. Conversations about coexistence were largely absent. Instead, a single name repeatedly surfaced whenever difficult questions arose: Ameer Makhoul.

Makhoul, who headed an Arab civil society organization in Haifa, appeared to function as a central coordinating figure among several groups. When Wexler eventually met him, the conversation quickly turned strategic.

According to Wexler’s later account, Makhoul described a long-term plan to build a global network of pro-Palestinian activism—particularly on university campuses. The idea was to mirror and eventually surpass pro-Israel advocacy structures by cultivating student movements, organizing international networks, and mobilizing funding from governments and private donors across Europe and the Middle East.

The encounter ended on a contentious note, with Makhoul later accusing Wexler of misconduct—an allegation Wexler denied and said was unfounded. Years afterward, Makhoul was arrested in Israel and convicted on charges related to espionage involving Syria and Hezbollah. Whether intentional or coincidental, the strategy Wexler described appears, in part,........

© Blitz