Israeli government attacks the freedom of Palestinian civil society, say international organisations

A letter signed by over 200 organisations warns of the criminalisation of Palestinian human rights defenders

Foto: Mazur/ Catholic Church England and Wales

Regional and international human rights organisations have published a letter calling on the international community to take measures to support and protect Palestinian civil society and human rights defenders in the face of attacks by Israeli forces on the Palestinian territory. The document was signed by over 230 organisations. The letter says that in October of this year, the Israeli Minister of Defence, Benny Gantz, designated six civil society organisations “terrorist organisations”. The UN (United Nations) condemned Israel´s designation as “a frontal attack on the Palestinian human rights movement, and on human rights everywhere,” and called for its reversal. 

The organisations are calling on the international community to reject Israel´s designation against Palestinian human rights organisations. The document stresses that Israel´s anti-terrorism act (2016) does not meet basic human rights standards, and on this basis calls for its reversal. 

“We call upon the international community to take the necessary measures to support and protect Palestinian civil society and human rights defenders and to ensure the continuation of their indispensable work”, it says in the document.