United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, has voiced deep concern over the recent outlawing of six Palestinian Human Rights and Humanitarian Organizations by Israel's Ministry of Defense under the 2016 Anti-Terrorism Law.

"These designations add to increasing pressures on civil society organizations across the oPt more broadly and have the potential to seriously undermine their humanitarian, development and human rights work," said Hastings in a statement.

“In addressing this issue, I am engaging with the Israeli authorities to learn more about the allegations” added the UN Humanitarian Coordinator.

The six groups designated by Israel as terrorist organizations are Addameer, al-Haq, Defense for Children Palestine, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, Bisan Center for Research and Development and the Union of Palestinian Women Committees. The designation, made pursuant to a 2016 Israeli statute, effectively outlaws the activities of these civil society groups.