Palestinian NGOs reject antiterrorism pledge

[JohnLocke]

Palestinian NGOs reject antiterrorism pledge
Khaled Abu Toameh – Jerusalem Post
January 4, 2003

Palestinian nongovernmental organizations are refusing to sign a US-sponsored commitment stating they will not transfer funds to individuals or groups that engage in terrorism.
The organizations said Saturday they are planning a popular campaign in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to express their opposition to the document.
These organizations include social welfare groups within the Palestinian Authority, as well as independent NGOs funded mostly by the US and the EU.
The US and some EU countries lately informed the Palestinian NGOs that, prior to entering into funding agreements, they must sign the pledge, which is entitled "Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing."
According to the document, the Palestinian NGOs pledge not to "provide material support or resources to any individual or entity that advocates, plans, sponsors, engages in, or has engaged in terrorist activity, including but not limited to individuals and entities," based on the US Executive Order 13224.
One of the appendixes to the pledge includes the names of bodies and groups the US considers to be linked to terrorism and, therefore, prohibits any cooperation with them. It lists Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades (the armed wing of Fatah), the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine as some of the terrorist groups.
The new conditions set for financing the NGOs have enraged the Palestinians, who accuse the US of trying to blackmail them by asking them to sign the antiterror document.

Read the rest here.

[Resistance]

1. Of course

there will not be a similar demand made on Israel: all the billions in aid each year are always absolutely unconditional, even though Israel continues murdering civilians, bulldozing homes, and is now erecting an Apartheid Wall, which most human rights observers regard as a major obstacle to peace and yet another Israeli land grab.

[frylock]

2. snap!

[JohnLocke]

3. Kick