Israel raids Palestinian rights groups it labeled terrorists

By JALAL HASSAN and FARES AKRAM
Associated Press

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israel has raided the offices of several Palestinian advocacy groups it had previously designated as terrorist organizations. Troops sealed entrances and left notices Thursday declaring them closed. Israel’s military said it closed seven institutions and seized their property. Israel had previously outlawed the groups, claiming they have ties to the militant Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The groups deny the accusation. Rights defenders have described Israel’s moves against the groups as part of a decades-long crackdown on political activists in the occupied territories. European countries continue to support the groups, citing a lack of evidence for the Israeli claims, and Western diplomats visited one office in a show of support after the raids.