The designated groups had been calling for a UN inquiry into human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories [File: Jamal Aruri/AFP]

Ramallah, October 25 (RHC)-- Palestinian human rights groups recently designated by Israel as “terrorist organizations” have called for international support to reverse the decision, which has the potential to compromise their ability to do humanitarian work.

A military order signed by Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Friday effectively outlawed six organisations, placing them at risk of imminent reprisals.  They were accused of being linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), whose armed wing has carried out attacks against Israelis.

Al-Haq, an organization documenting rights violations since 1979, denied the accusations and called for “international solidarity.”   “It is no coincidence that Israel’s recent escalation of punitive measures against Al-Haq and fellow civil society organisations has come in the immediate aftermath of the opening of an International Criminal Court investigation into Israel’s crimes in the Situation in Palestine,” the group said in a statement.

Former ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda determined in March that enough preliminary evidence existed to justify an investigation into possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories. Israel has said it would not cooperate with the inquiry.

“The baseless allegations represent an alarming and unjust escalation of attacks against the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom, justice and the right to self-determination,” Al-Haq said.