Israeli rights watchdog vows to continue fight against occupation

An Israeli human rights group said Sunday it will continue its struggle against the Israeli control of the Palestinian territories despite a rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"We will continue saying the truth in Israel and abroad: the occupation must end," B'Tselem said in a statement.

The uproar came after Hagai El-Ad, B'Tselem's executive director, participated in a special session of the United Nations Security Council on Friday, where he urged the Security Council to take actions against the expansion of the Jewish settlements.

On Saturday night, Netanyahu lashed out at the group, calling it a "shoddy and unhinged" organization.

He said the group has joined the "chorus of mudslinging" and accused it of spreading "false claim that the occupation and the settlements are the reason for the conflict."

The prime minister said he would move to ban young national service volunteers from working with B'Tselem.

National service is the non-military alternative for those who do not want to serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

B'Tselem, established in 1989, is one of the largest human rights groups in Israel. It works with local Palestinian volunteers to use video to document the daily life and alleged violations of human rights in the occupied territories.

Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, home to millions of Palestinians, in the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling it ever since despite international criticism. The Palestinians wish to establish a state in these territories. Endit