Washington: "Israel" Did not Notify us of the Decision to Classify Palestinian NGOs as "Terrorist"
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The US State Department spokesman says that his country will ask "Israel" for clarifications regarding the classification of 6 Palestinian NGOs as "terrorist organizations" as the Palestinian authorities reject the decision.
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Price: Israeli officials did not inform us in advance about this.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said during a press conference that "the US will ask "Israel" for clarifications on the basis for designating 6 Palestinian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as terrorist organizations."
In his press brief, Price indicated that Israeli officials "did not inform us in advance about this," stressing that "respect for human rights is an important principle."
Democratic Party Representative, Ilhan Omar, wrote on her Twitter account, "There must be immediate consequences from the US and the international community for this brazen act."
Labelling effective NGOs “terrorists” is a textbook way to evade accountability for human rights violations—and an affront to everyone who cares about peace.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 22, 2021
There must be immediate consequences from the US and the international community for this brazen act. https://t.co/VyjU4W3yrs
On the other hand, the Democratic US House of Representatives member, Mark Buchan, confirmed in a tweet that "Many of these organizations are working to bring peace in the region and are vocal critics Hamas & the PA."
Israel should rescind their blanket decision to label Palestinian civil rights organizations as terrorist groups. Many of these organizations are working to bring peace in the region and are vocal critics Hamas & the PA.https://t.co/TTYHQ94n6O
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) October 22, 2021
In the same context, Democratic Party Representative Betty McCollum condemned, in a statement, the closure of legitimate civil society organizations that defend Palestinian human rights, saying that this was "nothing more than an attempt to silence Palestinian rights supporters."
I stand with @amnesty in condemning the decision to designate Palestinian civil society organizations as “terrorist groups.”
— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) October 22, 2021
My full statement: https://t.co/ueLZKp6fRX pic.twitter.com/NpaYCaQpZf
McCollum urged US President Joe Biden's administration to "call on the Israeli government to reverse its decision immediately, and restore the ability of these organizations to continue their important work."
Palestinian PM Mohammad Shtayyeh rejected "Israel's" decision to designate six Palestinian civil organizations as terrorist organizations, calling on the international community and all human rights organizations in the world to "condemn this measure that contradicts international resolutions and laws."
Shtayyeh considered in a statement that the Israeli decision constitutes a "serious violation" of international law, given that the targeted institutions operate under Palestinian law and are associated with partnerships with international institutions.
The Palestinian PM called for the intervention of these institutions to condemn the Israeli measure and work to prevent its implementation.
