Amnesty International HQ targeted with Israeli death threats, dead mouse outside children's charity

The death threats were sprayed by anonymous perpetrators on Tuesday evening outside Amnesty International Israel’s office and ASSAF – an organisation that supports people taking refuge and seeking asylum in Israel.

A dead mouse, along with a box of death threats was also left at the entrance to Elifelet Children’s Activity Center for refugees.

“These are deplorable and malicious acts targeting civil society organizations carrying out human rights work. The Israeli authorities should take a strong stand by publicly condemning these acts and making clear that attacks against NGOs will not be tolerated,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.  

“The Israeli authorities must also take steps to ensure that human rights defenders and civil society organisations more generally are effectively protected and can carry out their work free from threats, intimidation or harassment. All attacks against human rights defenders must be promptly investigated and those responsible brought to justice.”

The Israeli government over the past year has upped its targeting of human rights activists who amplify the voices of Palestinians, creating a hostile environment for activists within the Israeli social and political spheres.

Mid-July, Amnesty International joined a legal case challenging the Israeli government's decision to expel Human Rights Watch's (HRW) Country Director Omar Shakir.

Shakir had his work permit removed by Israeli authorities in May 2018 and was ordered to leave the country within two weeks, citing links to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement outlawed by Israel.

Shakir, a US citizen, and HRW denied having any links with BDS, and launched a legal challenge against the order