Palestine has condemned, in the strongest possible terms, Israel’s unlawful military raid on the offices of Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations in Ramallah and Al Bireh. 

In a press release, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine said Israeli occupation forces looted documents, seized equipment, and sealed off offices, in another clear attempt to repress and intimidate those documenting and pursuing accountability for Israeli crimes. 

The statement warned that as Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid regime become further entrenched, Palestinian civil society and human rights defenders will continue to be among the prime targets as they play a key role in monitoring and documenting Israel’s crimes and violations against the Palestinian people.   

It further said documentation, advocacy, humanitarian aid, and legal work are the hallmarks of democracy and essential for the protection of human rights worldwide. The work of human rights defenders must be protected.

The statement called on the international community to provide immediate and urgent protection for Al-Haq rights group, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, the Union of Palestinian Women Committees (UPWC), the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), the Bisan Center for Research and Development, the Union of Health Work Committees (UHWC) and the Palestine chapter of the Geneva-based Defence for Children International and all Palestinian civil society organizations.