Nine European Union member states expressed their concern over the Israeli attacks on Palestinian civil society organizations and the obstruction of their work.
In a joint statement issued on Friday by the foreign ministries of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, the nine countries said that reducing the space for civil society organizations in the occupied Palestinian territories remains a source of concern.
She added that the existence of a free and strong civil society is indispensable for the promotion of democratic values and for the two-state solution. These countries also said that Israel did not provide material information that would justify its policy towards Palestinian civil organizations, which it designated as "terrorist organizations."
On Thursday, the office of the European Union representative in Palestine said that allegations that Palestinian organizations misused union funds were not proven, pledging to continue supporting Palestinian civil society organizations.
burglary and confiscation
On Thursday, the Israeli army stormed the headquarters of 7 Palestinian NGOs in the cities of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, closed them with red wax, and confiscated their properties.
The seven organizations are: Al-Haq Foundation - Law for Humanity, Conscience for Prisoner Care and Human Rights, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Union of Working Women's Committees, Health Work Committees, Union of Agricultural Work Committees, and Defense for Children International.
On October 19, 2021, the Israeli authorities decided to close 6 of these institutions, claiming that they were terrorist organizations.
The targeted organizations are located in an area under the control of the Palestinian Authority, according to the "Oslo 2" agreement signed in 1995.
In turn, the United States on Thursday expressed its concern over the closure of Palestinian institutions in the West Bank, claiming that they are "terrorist."
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that Washington is in contact with Israel to obtain more information about these institutions, noting that Tel Aviv has promised to provide Washington with this information.
In defiance of the closure decision, the institutions concerned removed the iron plates installed by the occupation soldiers on their doors, and confirmed that they would continue to expose Israeli violations and cooperate with international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, to hold those responsible for those violations accountable.