GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian banks in the Gaza Strip closed the bank accounts of dozens of associations and civil institutions, sparking anger among those associations and citizens who benefit from the services they provide — a step that prompted accusations against banks that they are tolerating Israel’s campaign against Palestinian civil society organizations.

In a Nov. 4 statement, the Palestine Civil Society Defense Coalition condemned the decision to freeze bank accounts, deeming it as an extremely dangerous step that undermines the Palestinian civil society and its active organization, especially since it was taken on the part of Palestinian national economic institutions that are supposed to serve the national economy in the context of the establishment of the Palestinian state.

The coalition called on the Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) and official Palestinian institutions to take urgent measures to protect civil society organizations from the banks’ arbitrary decision, and block Israel’s attempts to “encroach on our civil and national organizations.”

Some of the institutions impacted include the Al-Rahma Charity Association, Aman Palestine, Deir Al Balah Rehabilitation Society and Dar Assalam.