News broke on Friday, October 22 that Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed an order declaring six of the most prominent Palestinian NGOs in the occupied territories “terrorist organizations,” claiming they are part of a network run by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The “evidence” cited for the move — which has been roundly condemned by Palestinian, Israeli, and international human rights groups and activists — remains entirely classified. In other words, the government expects us to go off of nothing but the dubious word of the Shin Bet.
It is still too early to know exactly what the implications of Gantz’s decision will be on these organizations. But what is clear is that we, as an independent media outlet based in Israel-Palestine that relies on the tireless work of these groups, cannot stand idly by.
On Sunday morning, +972 published an editorial denouncing Israel’s criminalization of these groups and in support of Palestinian civil society. It is reprinted below in full. We urge our readers and supporters to draw awareness to this dangerous development, and to demand immediate international action to protect Palestinian human rights workers.
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+972 Magazine stands firmly in solidarity with the six Palestinian NGOs recently declared “terrorist organizations” by the Israeli government.
The targeted groups — Al-Haq, Addameer, Bisan Center, Defense For Children International-Palestine, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, and the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees — are civil society leaders who are deeply committed to protecting the human rights of Palestinian communities suffering the brunt of Israel’s apartheid policies, including children, women, prisoners, farmers, and other vulnerable groups.
Israel’s decision to officially label these organizations as “terrorists” — opening the door to more severe legal, financial, and violent retribution — is nothing less than an authoritarian move aimed at crushing Palestinians’ ability to resist their oppression. It amounts to a direct attack on all Palestinian human rights defenders, on the communities they represent, and on the local and international publics’ right to information about the reality in the occupied territories.
As journalists who regularly rely on the professional work of these organizations, we cannot imagine having to report on developments on the ground without the access, data, and analyses these groups provide.
This assault is only the latest in a long history of efforts to suppress Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals dedicated to exposing and challenging the rights abuses that Israel perpetrates. The targets include protesters, activists, community organizers, lawyers, and journalists — all of whom are now under greater threat due to the government’s recent escalation.
+972 rejects the criminalization of the six Palestinian NGOs and fully intends to continue working with them. We call on the international community to intervene and protect the organizations from Israel’s attacks, along with all human rights defenders and journalists targeted by Israel.