Israel closes Palestinian rights groups it labelled terrorist

Israel has raided the offices of several Palestinian advocacy groups it had previously designated as terrorist organisations

Israel raided the offices of several Palestinian advocacy groups it had previously designated as terrorist organisations, sealing entrance doors and leaving notices declaring them closed, the groups said on Thursday.

With the raids, Israel broadened its campaign against the civil society groups, which it has outlawed over claims that they have ties to militant groups, a charge they deny. Israel has provided little evidence to back up the accusations. The European Union has rejected Israel's charges against the groups, citing a lack of evidence.

Israel has claimed some of these groups had ties to the militant Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a secular, left-wing movement with a political party as well as an armed wing that has carried out deadly attacks against Israelis. Israel outlawed the groups last year over the claim.

Shawan Jabarin, director of al-Haq, one of the targeted groups, confirmed that forces raided the office. He said his staffers are still examining whether any documents were confiscated.

Israeli troops "came, blew up the door, got inside, and messed with the files,” he told The Associated Press. They then sealed the entrance to the office, he said.

Rights defenders have described Israel’s moves against the groups as part of a decades-long crackdown on political activists in the occupied territories. In July, nine EU member states said Israel hasn’t backed up it’s allegations and that they will continue working with the targeted groups.

“These accusations are not new and Israel failed to convince even its friends,” Mr. Jabarin said.