In the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict, self-proclaimed human rights groups often fail to denounce acts of violence against Israelis. Some even minimize or incite terrorism. Worse yet, some NGOs have alleged ties to terrorist organizations.
On January 29, 2022, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, an EU-designated terrorist group, organized a memorial ceremony honoring PFLP founder which took place at the hall of the Abdel Shafi Community Health Association (ACHA; formerly Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip [RCS4GS]) in Gaza. ACHA is also linked to the PLFP.
Canada has provided millions to NGOs linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)- a Canadian designated terrorist organization
UPWC is identified by Fatah as a PFLP “affiliate” and by a USAID-engaged audit as the “PFLP’s women’s organization.” Numerous UPWC staff members have ties to the PFLP terror group.
NGO Monitor report regarding each of the newly designated organizations, including organizational ties between the NGOs and the PFLP, as well as individual links between NGO board members, officials, and employees and the terror group.
Numerous UAWC staff members, founders, board members, general assembly members, and senior staff members have ties to the PFLP terror group. UAWC is identified by Fatah as an official Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) “affiliate” and by a USAID-engaged audit as the “agricultural arm” of the PFLP. According to academic scholar Glenn E. Robinson, UAWC was founded in 1986 by “agronomists loosely affiliated with the PFLP.”
On October 22, 2021, the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) designated 6 Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organizations. According to the MoD, Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCI-P), Union of Agricultural Work Committees, Al-Haq, Addameer, Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees (UPWC), and Bisan were included on Israel’s list of terrorist organizations because they are operated by and for the benefit of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCI-P) is a Palestinian NGO that claims to promote Palestinian children’s rights. However, many current and former officials, employees, and board members have links to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Several of Addameer’s current and former employees, as well as lawyers that work for Addameer, have links to the PFLP. As an organization, Addameer regularly provides legal assistance to Palestinians accused by Israel of PFLP membership or activity on behalf of the terror group, such as PFLP General-Secretary Ahmed Sa’adat.
NGO Monitor has identified a network of 13 NGOs linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terror organization and funded by European, and in some cases, other governmental frameworks.
On July 27, 2021, Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a report alleging that Israel committed war crimes in its May 2021 conflict with Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. This report serves as another vehicle for HRW’s ongoing campaign lobbying the International Criminal Court.
