Critics seek evidence after Israel names Palestinian rights groups as terrorists | Middle East | News and analysis of events in the Arab world | DW

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The unexpected decision by the Israeli Defense Ministry to designate six Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations as terrorist organizations drew rapid criticism from Palestinians and several international organizations.

Palestinian civil rights activists, international human rights organizations and some US lawmakers denounced the move, first announced on Friday. They accused Israel of trying to silence criticism and cover up documentation of alleged human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Some in Israel hailed the measure as a measure against “terrorist entities,” while others, mainly Israeli rights organizations, criticized it.

Israel accused the groups of covering up their real goals and promoting the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The small secular party, which has a militant wing, is part of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

According to the Defense Ministry’s Friday statement, “these organizations were active under the guise of civil society organizations, but in practice belong and constitute an arm of the [PFLP] leadership, whose main activity is the liberation of Palestine and the destruction of Israel.

The PFLP is listed as a terrorist group by Israel, the United States and the European Union.

The Defense Ministry also accused the groups of raising funds for the PFLP, including through aid through European donor countries, United Nations organizations and other entities.

However, he has not publicly provided any evidence to support the claims.

Shawan Jabarin, director of al-Haq human rights group, rejects accusations by Israel Defense Ministry

Important rights groups targeted

The named institutions include some of the most prominent Palestinian human rights organizations such as Al-Haq, which has long documented allegations of human rights violations in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Another targeted organization is Addameer, which advocates for the rights of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The other four organizations are Defense for Children International-Palestine, the Union of Agricultural Working Committees, the Bisan Center for Research and Development, and the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees.

Al-Haq held a joint press conference with other civil society organizations in Ramallah on Saturday, denying the accusations and calling on the international community to publicly condemn Israel’s decision.

Shawan Jabarin, CEO of Al-Haq, said: “This is a political decision. [by Israel] not security. “

“This decision comes in a series of institutionalized practices aimed at sullying Palestinian human rights NGOs and human rights defenders, silencing them internationally, targeting their work and depleting their resources,” he said. added.

Serious consequences at stake

Israel’s anti-terrorism laws allow the government to ban these organizations. He can close their offices, seize their financial assets, arrest staff members and sue those who fund them.

This not only exposes their employees to a potential risk of prosecution, but it also carries the possibility of criminalizing the work of civil society groups in general, observers say.

Israel’s move could also pose a challenge for international donors – including European and German institutions – who help Palestinian non-governmental organizations.

“This creates a lot of uncertainty and raises serious questions,” said an international development officer in Ramallah who works on projects with Palestinian society groups and who spoke to DW on condition of anonymity.

European governments could be accused of financing terrorism if they continue to provide financial support to any of these organizations.

Groups such as Addameer, which provides legal advice to political prisoners, called the move “appalling and unfair”.

The defense ministry’s move came as some EU member states have tried to rekindle relations with Israel since the new coalition government came to power.

“We take this very seriously, are examining the allegations and are in contact with Israeli partners for clarification,” EU spokesman Peter Stano said Monday in Brussels.

“EU funding to Palestinian civil society organizations is an important part of our support for the two-state solution,” he said, adding that the bloc would continue to “respect international law and support the civil society “.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh is due to travel to Brussels this week for a scheduled meeting with EU officials.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings also expressed concern on Monday, saying: “These appointments add to growing pressure on civil society organizations throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

She further declared her intention to “engage with the Israeli authorities to find out more about the allegations.”

Calls for evidence are increasing

Israel has previously claimed that the PFLP obtained funds through civil society organizations affiliated with its members, or that employees with suspected links to the group were involved in terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens.

An EU statement released on Monday said that “past allegations of misappropriation of EU funds concerning a number of partners in our Palestinian civil society organizations have been unfounded,” adding that “the EU remains engaged with the Israeli authorities on this issue. ”

The announcement also sparked controversy within Israel’s coalition government, which includes right, center and left parties, as well as an Arab party. On Sunday, the left-wing Meretz party questioned the decision of Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who signed the order.

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz of the Meretz party said he had asked Gantz to present to the government the findings that led to the decision.

Israeli media reported that an anonymous security official said there was “clear” evidence against the organizations.

A similar request was made by the US administration. US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Friday that the United States had not been “warned in advance” of the decision and was awaiting “more information” from Israel.

This was refuted by reports in the Israeli media, which quoted an anonymous Israeli official saying that Israel had informed some US officials of the impending decision.

An Israeli delegation – including officials from the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service – is expected to travel to the United States this week to present classified evidence supporting Israel’s decision.

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