BRUSSELS, July 12, 2022 (WAFA) - Nine European countries rejected in a joint statement today the Israeli occupation's designation of six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organizations.

Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden came out against the Israeli decision, announced in October, saying Israel's decision should be revoked. 

In October 2021, the Israeli occupation designated six Palestinian civil society organizations – Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Al-Haq, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defense for Children International – Palestine, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, and the Union of Palestinian Women Committees – as terrorist organizations.

Israel’s designation enables it to close the organizations, seize their assets, end their work and charge their leadership and staff with terrorist offences.

"In the absence of such evidence, we will continue our cooperation and strong support for the civil society in the [occupied Palestinian territories]. A free and strong civil society is indispensable for promoting democratic values and for the two-state solution," said the statement. 

"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 organizations."

M.N