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(Recast) Israel irritated over UN for accrediting "Hamas-linked" NGO

Xinhua, June 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Israel on Tuesday denounced the United Nations for granting accreditation to a Britain-based non-governmental organization which it claims has links with the militant movement of Hamas.

Late on Monday, the world body's 19-member committee on Non-Governmental Organizations voted in favor of granting the Palestinian Return Center (PRC) an NGO consultative status, which enables permanent access to UN bodies.

The PRC denies having ties to Hamas, claiming Israel was trying to mislead the committee with "dangerous, unfounded" claims.

A dozen member states in the committee, including Turkey and Iran, voted in favor of granting the status to the PRC, while three abstained and three voted against.

The move outraged Israel, which outlawed the PRC in 2010. A decree by then defense minister Ehud Barak determined that the organization "serves as an organizational and coordinating wing of Hamas in Europe," in addition to "promoting anti-Israel propaganda in Europe, in the political arena, in campuses and among the European public."

Quoted by Israeli media, Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, said in a statement that by recognizing the PRC as an NGO, the United Nations "gave Hamas a welcoming celebration at its main entrance, allowing it to be a full participant."

The PRC released a counter-statement, expressing its "deep frustration and anger" by the Israeli statement.

"The PRC have been operating in the UK (United Kingdom) and across Europe since 1996," reads the statement. "For all these years, we have never been associated with Hamas by any of the European country."

It further noted that the Israeli attempts to foil the accreditation were due to the PRC's support for the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their original lands, which Israel adamantly opposes.

In last August, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement after a 50-day Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. The war resulted in the deaths of over 2,100 Palestinians and nearly 80 Israelis. Endit