Despite international criticism, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) officially designated six Palestinian rights groups as “terrorist organizations”, according to Israeli media.

Following a similar decision by Security Minister Benny Gantz last month, the head of the IOF Central Command has also now “outlawed the groups”, Israeli media reported.

With this official designation, the occupation forces now have the authority to close the organization's offices and arrest its members, among other violent acts.

The six Palestinian NGOs

On October 22, Israeli PM Benny Gantz announced that his government is listing six Palestinian NGOs as "terrorist organizations", accusing them of having links with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

The organizations in question are the al-Haq human rights group, the Addameer rights group, Defense for Children International-Palestine, the Bisan Center for Research and Development, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees.

 

 

 

 

 

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The designated organizations have been delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians harmed by the Israeli occupation and who have had their human rights abused in the occupied territories.

EU unconvinced by Israeli claims

European countries are not convinced by the alleged proofs "Israel" has presented to designate six Palestinian human rights groups as "terrorists".

A 74-page document prepared by the Israeli Shin Bet service has been shared with European governments back in May, supposedly containing "evidence" linking the Palestinian NGOs with the  PLFP, a resistance faction. The confidential dossier failed to persuade its recipients of the truthfulness of any claims made by the Israeli occupation.

In turn, the European countries refused to stop financing the listed groups with many officials revealing their skepticism towards the allegation.