The organizations affirm that this decision issued by the occupation government constitutes a criminalization of civil work and a clear violation of human rights, in addition to the fact that it represents an escalation of aggression against the rights of the Palestinian people and its civil institutions.

Palestinian civil society organizations in Israel condemn the decision of the Israeli Minister of Defense, Benny Gantz, to classify six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organizations, and consider this a blatant undermining of civil and human rights work, as well as a political prosecution(or persecution?) that deepens the occupation and its repressive practices. 

The organizations affirm that this decision issued by the occupation government constitutes a criminalization of civil work and a clear violation of human rights, in addition to the fact that it represents an escalation of aggression against the rights of the Palestinian people and its civil institutions.

The civil society organizations believe that this dangerous escalation, based on data provided by the NGO Monitor, known for its constant incitement against civil work in general, aims to reduce the already narrow margins of civil action, and criminalize human rights work. It aims at providing immunity to the occupation and its criminal practices, and preventing the documentation of violations and crimes perpetrated by the occupation.  Furthermore, it entrenches repressive and colonial practices by encapsulating and justifying them with legal cover and administrative decisions that lack basic and fundamental judicial justice.

The civil society organizations explained that Israel, which describes its system as "democratic", treats human rights and civil work as a direct threat, and is trying to illegalize and demonize its work anytime it opposes the Zionist narrative and tries to refute it.

The organizations stated that the Israeli political establishment, in its recent decision, confirms that the category of "terrorist act" has become a go-to charge for every legitimate and legal activity aimed at exposing the occupation practices, including diplomatic, economic and human rights activities, in an attempt to hide the truth about its crimes and "whitewash" its true image in front of the international community.

The organizations explained that this decision, which aims mainly to intimidate sources of funding in general, is a test for the international community, and international institutions, including the United Nations, the European Union and other institutions that support human rights and consolidate the value system that sees human rights and international standards as the basis of its system. The organizations call all embassies, foreign representations, and governments, to act and take a clear position that rejects arbitrary decisions and works to abolish them, and to take practical steps to protect civil work and its institutions.

This statement is singed by the following Palestinian Civil society organizations in Israel:

- Altufula Nazareth Nurseries Institute.

- Injaz - Center for Professional Arab Local Governance.

- Baladna-Arab youth association.

- The Alumni Association of Russian and Soviet Union Universities.

- NA’AM- AWC Arab women in the center.

- Kayan feminist organization.

- Mada al-Carmel:Arab Center for Applied Social Research.

- The Arab Culture Association- ACA.

- ACAP- The Arab Center for Alternative Planning.

- Tishreen Association.

- Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel.

- Women Against Violence.

- 7amleh – Arab Center for Social Media Advancement.

- Intimaa W Ataa. 

- I'lam -Arab Center for Media Freedom Development and Research.

- The Galilee Society.

- Sidreh.