(Communicated by the Israel Mission to the UN)

The United Nations Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations decided to grant the Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) an NGO status. The organization, which operates from Britain, promotes anti-Israel propaganda in Europe, in the political arena, in campuses and among the European public.

In 2010, Israel determined that the organization was illegal, because of its ties to Hamas. In 2010, a decree signed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak determined that the PRC serves as an organizational and coordinating wing of Hamas in Europe. Its members, according to the decree, are senior Hamas officials, operating to promote the terrorist group's agenda in Europe, and maintain direct contact with other Hamas senior officials, including its leaders in Damascus.

The PRC's guidelines  include the denial of Israel's right to exist, supporting the right of return of refugees to Israeli territory in order to establish a Palestinian state instead of the Jewish state, and opposition to the peace process.

This is based on research conducted by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, which also found that senior members of the PRC serve in other organizations, which involve, among other activities, transferring funds to Hamas.


The PRC's masthead. The letter R superimposed on a kaffiyeh stands for "return;" inside it is a miniature map of "Palestine", symbol of the final goal: the establishment of a Palestinian state to replace the State of Israel.
Source: ITIC

A Non-Governmental Organization status enables organizations to strengthen their global influence and to widely spread their activities. This includes access to UN committees and conferences like the Human Rights Council, and permanent and Independent representation in UN sessions.

The committee is composed of 19 countries, including: Iran, Sudan, Venezuela, Cuba, Turkey, China, Russia, the United States and Israel. The result of the vote on the adoption of the organization as an NGO was 12 in favor (Including Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Turkey, Venezuela, China and Cuba), three against (USA, Uruguay and Israel), and three abstentions (India, Russia and Greece). Burundi was absent from the vote.
 
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor: "Until today, the UN has given Hamas discounts and let it strengthen its activities. Now, the UN went one step further, and gave Hamas a welcoming celebration at its main entrance, allowing it to be a full participant. According to this script, one day we may find Hezbollah sitting at the Security Council and ISIS voting at the Human Rights Council. This is the peak season for the UN's Theatre of the Absurd."