EU states stand behind Palestinian NGOs accused of terrorism

In a statement issued on Tuesday (12th July), nine European Union states have declared they would continue working with the six Palestinian civil society groups that Israel designated terrorist associations last year.

The statement from the foreign ministries of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, says they have received “no substantial evidence” to support Israel's allegations. The statement read:

"On October 22 2021, Israel designated six Palestinian civil society organisations as terrorist organisations. Accusations of terrorism or links to terrorist groups must always be treated with the utmost seriousness. The designations needed therefore to be assessed carefully and extensively.

"No substantial information was received from Israel that would justify reviewing our policy towards the six Palestinian NGOs on the basis of the Israeli decision to designate these NGOs as 'terrorist organisations'. Should evidence be made available to the contrary, we would act accordingly. In the absence of such evidence we will continue our cooperation and strong support for the civil society in the oPt.

"A free and strong civil society is indispensable for promoting democratic values and for the two-state solution."

Last year, Israel said six groups, including human rights organisations Addameer and Al-Haq, have close ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which it says has carried out deadly attacks on Israelis and is on US and EU terrorism blacklists.