J Street is deeply concerned by the decision of Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz to designate six prominent Palestinian human rights and civil society groups as “terrorist organizations.” This is a deeply repressive, unfounded act that seems designed to outlaw and persecute important Palestinian organizations. Labeling human rights advocates as “terrorists” in order to criminalize their activities is the type of action that we regularly see from authoritarian, illiberal regimes, and is totally inconsistent with democratic values.
We welcome the Biden administration seeking clarification on these designations from the Israeli government, urge it and members of Congress to make clear that this is totally unacceptable and anti-democratic, and hope they will call on Defense Minister Gantz to reverse the decision.