The United States recently announced sanctions against three foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) linked to terrorism. The State Department identified Al Haq, the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) as entities engaged in actions deemed detrimental to Israel. All three have also received funding from the Soros family’s Open Society Foundations prior to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “These entities have directly engaged in efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel’s consent.” He emphasized that the U.S. and Israel are not signatories to the Rome Statute, thereby not subject to the ICC’s jurisdiction. Rubio added, “We oppose the ICC’s politicized agenda, overreach, and disregard for the sovereignty of the United States and that of our allies.” The ICC’s ongoing investigations are seen as a threat to national interests and sovereignty.
The sanctions come on the heels of the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. The likelihood of those warrants being executed is almost nonexistent. Foreseeably, the United Nations has called for the U.S. to rescind its sanctions, which raises questions about the sanctions’ validity.
A deeper examination reveals that the Open Society Foundations played a significant role in funding these NGOs, providing nearly $4 million over recent years. Al Mezan received $1.2 million between 2019 and 2023, while PCHR got at least $300,000. Al Haq was granted $2.35 million from 2016 to 2023. All three organizations maintain ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group recognized as a terrorist organization in multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S. and Europe.
According to reports from NGO Monitor, Al Haq’s general director, Shawan Jabarin, has connections to the PFLP. The same organization highlighted that numerous officials within Al Mezan belong to or support the PFLP and Hamas. Specific instances illustrate this, such as PCHR’s collaboration with the PFLP on various events. Notably, at a 2015 workshop organized by PCHR, a PFLP member urged the organization to do everything possible to advocate for PFLP prisoners.
Statements from members of these organizations reinforce their affiliations. In a 2014 ceremony organized by the PFLP, Sourani voiced pride in his past association with the group, indicating a commitment to its ideology. Such remarks underscore not only individual beliefs but also an organizational culture that appears aligned with terrorist objectives.
The surprising aspect of this situation is the relatively undisclosed nature of the funding from the Soros family—support that seemed to culminate in 2023. The sanctions against these NGOs raise a crucial question: when will financial backers of terrorism be held accountable? As the funding has been linked directly to entities with terrorist associations, the spotlight inevitably shifts to those who provide such financial support.
The broader implications of these sanctions reflect significant tensions. By sanctioning organizations connected to terrorism, the U.S. demonstrates its commitment to oppose the politicization of international judicial bodies like the ICC. The funding from the Open Society Foundations is a pertinent reminder of the complex web of influence that surrounds global conflicts.
These sanctions signal a willingness to confront not only the organizations directly involved in terror activities but also the financial networks that sustain them. As history teaches, addressing the roots of these issues may be imperative in preventing further violence and instability in the region.
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