#StandWithTheSix: US Congress letter slams Israel's ‘terrorist’ designations of Palestinian NGOs

US Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, part of the progressive bloc dubbed "the Squad", is leading a joint letter to the State Department with more than 20 fellow lawmakers criticising the "terrorist" designations by Israel of six prominent Palestinian NGOs. 

The letter, issued on Monday and signed by 22 Congress members, highlights their concerns surrounding these designations, including what they say is a lack of evidence for criminalising these organisations, which serve some of the most vulnerable people. 

"A reported lack of evidence to support this decision raises concerns that it may be a deeply repressive measure, designed to criminalise and silence prominent and essential Palestinian human rights organizations," the lawmakers wrote. 

"The US must always and consistently speak out against efforts by all countries attempting to undermine civil society and the necessary work of humanitarian organisations," they added.

These Palestinian organizations – Addameer, Al-Haq, Defense for Children International – Palestine, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, the Bisan Center for Research and Development, and the Union of Palestinian Women Committees – have long worked with  women and girls, children, low-income families, prisoners, and civil society , something that has become more difficult with these terrorist designations, according to the letter. 

"Counter-terrorism legislation must not be applied to legitimate human rights and humanitarian activities," the signatories stated. 

"Furthermore, repressive tactics such as criminalising organisations must not be used to suppress or deny the right to freedom of association, or to quash political dissent, or limit the peaceful activities of civil society." 

The legislators have requested an inter-agency briefing on this designation and a report to Congress on their efforts within 30 days. 

Though 22 Congress members constitute a small proportion of US lawmakers, this is a much larger number than what has typically been seen in past congressional letters supporting Palestinian civil rights, possibly a sign of this becoming a growing concern among US politicians.