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Reuters
JERUSALEM — Israel on Thursday closed seven Palestinian organizations it accused of providing aid to extremist groups, drawing condemnation from the United Nations.
Security forces raided the offices of non-governmental organizations in the West Bank and confiscated computers and equipment before blocking the entrances, according to Palestinian witnesses and officials.
The Israeli military said these groups were used by a designated terrorist organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Israel has previously declared six of her groups as terrorist organizations.
The designation, which has been criticized by the United Nations and human rights monitors, was ratified on Wednesday for three of them. The United Nations has asked for the designation to be revoked.
"Despite offers to do so, the Israeli authorities have not provided the United Nations with credible evidence to justify these declarations," the UN Human Rights Office said in a statement. "So the closure appears completely arbitrary."
Nine European Union countries said they would continue to cooperate with the group, citing a lack of evidence against Israel's accusations. ing.
The United Nations identified these groups as the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. Al-Hak; Bisan Research and Development Center; International Defense for Children - Palestine. Health Working Commission (HWC); Union of Agricultural Labor Commissions (UAWC); Union of Palestinian Women's Commissions (UPWC).
Covert Operations
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the organization was secretly operating to serve the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). He reiterated Israel's position. It carried out deadly attacks on Israelis and what the US and the EU consider him a terrorist organization.
"They also help finance terrorist organizations in a variety of ways, including counterfeiting and fraud," Gantz said.
Palestinian officials condemned the move, and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the move was void.
"These are legal bodies that operate under the law," Shtaye told reporters during a visit to Al-Haq's office in Ramallah.
Earlier, Palestinians had clashed with Israeli forces and arrived to escort Jewish worshipers visiting Joseph's tomb. was seen
An 18-year-old Palestinian man was killed and at least 30 of him wounded, according to Palestinian medical sources, the Israeli military said.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting and writing by Henriette Chacar, Ari Rabinovitch, James Mackenzie; Editing by Alison Williams, Frances Kerry, Gareth Jones)
