Israeli Raids on Offices of Palestinian Human Rights -Civil Society Orgs Strongly Condemned

Islamabad: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Israel’s unlawful military raid on the offices of Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations in Ramallah and Al Bireh. Israeli occupation forces looted documents, seized equipment, and sealed off offices, in another clear attempt to repress and intimidate those documenting and pursuing accountability for Israeli crimes.

The Ministry warns that as Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid regime become further entrenched, Palestinian civil society and human rights defenders will continue to be among the prime targets as they play a key role in monitoring and documenting Israel’s crimes and violations against the Palestinian people.

Documentation, advocacy, humanitarian aid, and legal work are the hallmarks of democracy and essential for the protection of human rights worldwide. The work of human rights defenders must be protected. The Ministry calls on the international community to provide immediate and urgent protection for Al-Haq rights group, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, the Union of Palestinian Women Committees (UPWC), the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), the Bisan Center for Research and Development, the Union of Health Work Committees (UHWC) and the Palestine chapter of the Geneva-based Defence for Children International and all Palestinian civil society organizations.

Absence of political will to hold Israel accountable for its decades of crimes and violations enables its continued war against international human rights movement. Israel’s attempts to dominate Palestinian civil society, control their functioning, and by extension disrupt the fabric of the Palestinian society is a political decision aimed to protect Israel’s officials from accountability.

Finally, the Ministry reiterate its full support for our civil society and commend their determination to uphold the rule of law undeterred by Israel’s lawlessness and intimidation.