Israel Designates Palestinian Activist Groups as Terroists

Activists said Saturday they hope an international backlash will help reverse Israel's designation of six Palestinian human rights groups as terrorist organizations, a label which effectively ostracizes them. Two of the six groups said they would not be forced underground despite the uncertainty of their status. This would allow Israel to  search the group's offices, seize assets, arrest employees, and criminalize funding and statements of support. Activists said they want to challenge Israeli Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, decision.

Israel's terror label for the six groups, including some receiving European funding, appears to have taken the United States and Europe by surprise. It could force them to choose a side at a time when efforts to negotiate the terms of a Palestinian state alongside Israel have stalled hopelessly. For years, the U.S. and EU have focused on conflict management, including strengthening Palestinian civil society, without openly putting pressure on Israel to cease its ongoing settlement activities. Israel claimed that the six groups are a front for Liberation of Palestine, a small, leftist movement with a political party and a faction that has carried out attacks against Israelis.

Human rights activists have denounced Israel's terrorist label as a blatant attempt to prevent the groups from documenting human rights violations in occupied territories, mainly by Israel, but also by the Palestinian government in the West Bank. If tension continues, it’s entirely possible mass violence could ensue between citizens and military from both sides.