Statement on Israel’s attack on Palestinian human rights NGOs

Statement on Israel classifying Palestinian human rights groups as terrorist organisations:

The Britain Palestine Friendship and Twinning Network condemns the decision by Israel to classify six Palestinian human rights groups as terrorist organisations.

In doing so, it joined significant numbers of human rights groups and charities around the world, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Christian Aid and The Balfour Project who have already expressed a similar view. Palestinian and Israeli non-governmental organisations have also voiced their opposition to the designation, which Israeli human rights group B’tselem have described as a ‘draconian measure that criminalises critical human rights work.’ 

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has stated that “there is no evidence presented to support these accusations” and that the organisations designated as terror groups “are some of the most reputable human rights and humanitarian groups in the occupied Palestinian territory and for decades have worked closely with the UN.”  

The six organisations targeted by Israel exist to provide support for children, political prisoners and agricultural workers. In no way could these be described as promoting terrorist activities.

Chair of the Network, Tony Pearce, said ‘The Britain Palestine Friendship and Twinning Network has almost 40 groups based across Britain and Palestine, building and developing friendships between Brits and Palestinians every day. Many of our members will have met, heard from or worked with the groups Israel has targeted today in this attack on human rights. We are working with our member groups as they write to their elected representatives and raise this issue in their communities.  The UK Government should work with whoever is necessary to put pressure on Israel to ensure this appalling decision be reversed.’

The six groups are Addameer, Al-Haq, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defense for Children International - Palestine, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committee, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees. The Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz declared six Palestinian civil society groups as terrorist organisations on 22nd October 2021.