The recent assault on Gaza and raids on Palestinian NGOs reflect an emerging Israeli policy of preemption, or what might be tentatively called the “Gantz Doctrine.”

Democratic congressional members are calling on the Biden administration to take action over Israel’s recent attacks on human rights groups.

This week Israel did the unconscionable and shut down the offices of seven Palestinian human rights groups that are doing valiant work in the occupied territory. People ask why Israel would do such a thing, and the simple answer is Zionism.

In response to an Israeli raid on Palestinian organizations, the Biden administration has finally said it doesn’t share the Israeli position that the organizations are “terrorist” groups, but it also won’t question or criticize Israeli actions.

Israeli forces raided the offices of seven Palestinian civil society organizations, confiscated their equipment and materials, and shuttered their offices, claiming they were “unlawful”. The raids are the latest escalation since Israel arbitrarily designated six of the organizations as “terror groups” last year. Defense for Children International – Palestine director Khaled Quzmar tells Mondoweiss the message is clear: “We are under imminent risk now.”

In a blatant attempt at intimidation, Israel is claiming that providing legal representation to Palestinian civil society organizations violates anti-terrorism laws.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

Ayanna Pressley leads US lawmakers in calling for Biden to reject Israel’s blacklisting of human rights groups

Nine European Union states announced their support for the Palestinian civil society organizations that were arbitrarily deemed “terrorist institutions” by the Israeli government last year. The EU states rejected the Israeli designation, citing lack of proof.

The European Commission has restored funding to the Palestinian human rights groups Al-Haq despite an Israeli attack on it and five other Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations as having supposed terrorist links. “They can do anything they want. They can confiscate [our laptops and files]; they can close the office; they can arrest people; they can arrest me and criminalize me,” Shawan Jabarin of Al-Haq says. “We will not give up. I assure you we will not give up, and we will not step back.”