MIFTAH Condemns Israeli Raid on NGOs and civil society organizations in Ramallah
By MIFTAH
December 12, 2012

The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy – MIFTAH strongly condemns the Israeli army raid on offices of several NGOs and civil society organizations in Ramallah early today, Tuesday 11 December 2012. Israeli forces raided the offices of the Agricultural Work Committee, prisoners’ rights group al-Dameer, the Union of Palestinian Women’s committees in Qaddura refugee camp and the offices of the Palestinian NGO Network, where they confiscated files and computer hardware before they ransacked the offices. Clashes between Israeli soldiers and local youth occurred during the raid to which the Israeli forces responded with tear gas.

MIFTAH is deeply concerned with Israel’s continued crackdown on Palestinian NGOs and civil society organizations and its infringement on Palestinians’ freedom of association. It strongly condemns Israel’s constant attempt to undermine Palestinian civil society organizations, human rights groups and NGOs. MIFTAH takes today’s event as one of Israel’s relentless efforts to silence Palestinian voices of freedom and deter a free, vibrant, active Palestinians society from emerging. MIFTAH therefore, calls on all concerned parties, including global network of civil society organizations and NGOs to look into the matter and hold Israel accountable for its deeds. It also appeals to all concerned bodies to step in and prevent such blatant Israeli violations from occurring.

http://www.miftah.org