In the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz outlawed six human rights groups, branding them “terrorist organizations,” in the latest attack on Palestinian rights. The groups are Al-Haq, Addameer, Defense for Children International, the Bisan Center for Research and Development, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees. The move allows Israel to raid and close the groups’ offices, arrest and imprison their staff and ban their funding. This is Shawan Jabarin, director general of Al-Haq.
Shawan Jabarin: “An occupation that can do anything, occupation that kills children, destroys property and homes over the heads of the residents, that can raid and close offices. Yet, the question is: How will we deal with this decision? We will continue to work and deliver our message using all means.”
In other news from the region, Israel said it will build 1,300 more units for settlements in the occupied West Bank. The settlements are illegal under international law.