The Virginia Coalition for Human Rights Condemns Israel’s Attempt at Banning Six Palestinian Human Rights Organizations

On October 19, 2021, the Israeli Defense Ministry effectively outlawed six Palestinian rights institutions as “terrorist” organizations. This action gives the Israeli Government the legal pretext to close the offices, seize the assets, and arrest the employees of these six organizations. This designation also prohibits funding or publicly supporting the activities of these organizations.

The Virginia Coalition for Human Rights (VCHR) stands in solidarity with and in support of all six of these respected organizations: Addameer, al-Haq, Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCIP), the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), Bisan Center for Research and Development, and the Union of Palestinian Women Committees (UPWC).

Labeling these human rights groups as “terrorist” organizations is a flagrant attempt to silence criticism of Israel and to stop the documentation of abuses by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people.

Congress and the State Department must condemn this unfounded and dangerous designation and demand that Israel rescind it.


The Virginia Coalition of Human Rights (VCHR) is a broad coalition representing 19 organizations and over 10,000 Virginians. We believe the Israel–Palestine conflict is a human rights issue that requires open and free debate. We object to efforts to forestall this debate by placing limits on free speech and academic freedom (vchr.org).