Christian groups condemn Israel's labelling six NGOs as 'terrorist'

One of accused groups

Source: Sabeel - Kairos

Palestinian Christian organisations including Sabeel Jerusalem and Kairos Palestine have "condemned and denounced" in the strongest possible terms the decision of the Israeli Minister of Defence Benny Gantz issued on 22/10/2021 against six Palestinian human rights organisations.

The full statement released on 25 October 2021 follows:

Jerusalem, Palestine - Palestinian Christian organisations condemn and denounce in the strongest possible terms the decision of the Israeli Minister of Defence Benny Gantz issued on 22/10/2021 against six Palestinian human rights organisations, namely: Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights; Al Haq; Defence for Children International/Palestine; Bisan Centre for Research and Development; Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC); and the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees.

The decision designates the six organisations as 'terrorist organisations' as a prelude to closing them and banning their activities. The use by Israeli occupation of its domestic political legislations in "fighting terrorism" to incriminate these organisations, came after years of systematic campaigns against Palestinian civil society organisations with the aim of silencing them and their supporters in international organisations and coalitions that stand for peace and justice.

This designation targets all Palestinian civil society organisations, particularly those working to defend Palestinian human rights, document violations against Palestinians, offer legal aid, and carry out international advocacy work on their behalf, urging the international community to safeguard the human rights of Palestinians, particularly their right to self-determination, and ending the Israeli settler-colonialism and its Apartheid regime.

We, the undersigned Palestinian Christian organisations, while reiterating the illegitimacy of this arbitrary decision and its grave implications to civil society organisations and human rights defenders, call upon countries, the international community, partners and donors in general and international Christian institutions in particular, to reject and condemn this decision, prevent the Israeli occupation state from moving forward with these arbitrary and illegitimate practices in violation of international laws, to pressure Israel to revoke the decision; and to continue to support the right of Palestinians to justice, freedom, and dignity.

Diyar Consortium
Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
East Jerusalem YMCA YWCA of Palestine
The Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI)
Bethlehem Bible College
The Palestinian Christian Initiative / Kairos Palestine

LINK

Sabeel-Kairos - www.sabeel-kairos.org.uk/