#StandWiththe6
#StandWithThe6 Statement
Posted September 2022
In October 2021, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz outlawed six leading Palestinian human rights and humanitarian groups, labeling them “terrorist organizations” and accusing them of serving as the face of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Gantz’s executive order criminalized Al-Haq, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Bisan Center for Research and Development , Defense for Children International – Palestine, the Union for Agricultural Work Committees, and the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees.
These organizations are pillars of Palestinian civil society who advocate for and defend the rights of Palestinian children, women, prisoners, and farmers, among others. Al-Haq, for example, produces reports detailing human rights abuses against Palestinians that occur within the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Defence for Children International – Palestine provides legal aid to Palestinian children detained by both the Israeli government and their puppet government, Palestinian Authority, and also promotes the empowerment and participation of Palestinian children so they can better identify and protect their own rights. Without these groups, Palestinians are left more vulnerable than ever to exploitation by both the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
Recently, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) retaliated after several of the six groups filed appeals to remove Israel’s terrorist label. The appeals were denied and at 3:00am on August 18, 2022 the IOF raided all six of these organizations, as well as the Union of Health Work Committee. They ransacked offices, destroyed property, welded doors shut and delivered a chilling message: If these agencies do not cease their human rights and humanitarian work, they will face arrest and prosecution.
Shortly before the August raids, nine EU countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden) issued a statement that they would continue providing the six organizations with funding because Israel failed to supply sufficient evidence backing their terrorist accusations. The United States came to a similar conclusion. The terrorist designation has also been condemned by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Refugees. Lack of support for their outlandish claims is causing Israel to panic and do everything in their power to silence these groups.
Despite the recent raids, these organizations have not stopped advocating for Palestinian human rights. The Anti-War Committee proudly stands in solidarity with these integral Palestinian civil society agencies and vital work.
For more information on the Anti War Committee’s work with these Palestinian NGOs please see our original #StandWiththe6 statement here.