The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), petitions the High Court of Justice, demanding an end to what they claim is an effective ban on political demonstrations during wartime, after police forcefully dispersed several protests against the government this past week. ACRI filed the on behalf of Itamar Greenberg, a student and leading Hadash activist arrested twice in the past weeks for partaking in demonstrations against the Iran war and the recently passed death penalty law.
Archiv: Versammlungsrecht / Verbote / freedom of assembly / bans
Constitution of the United States: First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Post-7 October: A New Wave of Anti-Palestinian Israeli Laws
This report builds on Adalahâs position paper of 23 October 2024, which reviewed key bills at advanced stages of the legislative process, many of which were later enacted into law. The information contained in this report and the position paper also join Adalahâs online Discriminatory Laws Database in documenting about 100 Israeli laws that directly or indirectly discriminate against Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
The laws examined in this report span multiple themes and violate numerous fundamental rights, including freedom of expression (FoE), protest, and thought; the right to citizenship and legal status; the rights to family life, equality, social benefits, and equality in the allocation of state resources; principles of criminal justice; and prisonersâ rights. While these violations are legitimized by the hostile public and political climate fueled by the war, their roots lie deep in Israelâs constitutional and political culture, which is based on the principle of Jewish ethno-national supremacy. These laws reinforce and entrench the ongoing pattern in Israeli law of creating and consolidating separate legal systems for Palestinians and Jews.
Notably, the trends identified in this report do not represent a fundamental shift in the stateâs approach toward Palestinians. Even before the war, Adalah noted in its January 2023 position paper, which analyzed the current governmentâs guiding principles and coalition agreements, that the principles underpinning Israelâs system are based on Jewish ethno-national supremacy throughout all territory under its control. The government explicitly declared in its guiding principles, âThe Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right over all areas of the Land of Israel.â These statements were not unprecedented but rather a direct continuation of the logic underlying the Jewish Nation-State Law, passed by the Knesset on 19 July 2018, and of the constitutional framework established since the stateâs founding, reflected in its explicit ethno-national identity as a âJewish and democraticâ state. However, the crimes committed by Hamas and other armed groups in southern Israel on 7 October 2023 have beenâand continue to beâused by Israeli authorities to justify intensifying these trends and further consolidating a regime of ethno-national supremacy on an even larger scale.
Legislating apartheid: How Israel entrenched unequal rule during Gaza war
For over two years, Israeli public life has been shrouded in a heavy, disorienting fog. There has been an unending churn of crises, conflicts, and anxieties at home and abroad: the shock of the Hamas attack of October 7 and Israelâs genocidal campaign of revenge on Gaza, the fight to bring back the hostages and against the stateâs vilification of their families, the reckless confrontations with Iran. Together, these have left Israeli society suspended in a collective stupor, obscuring the depth of the abyss into which we are rapidly descending.
But the same cannot be said of our parliamentarians. As a disturbing new report by the Haifa-based legal center Adalah shows, they have used the chaos of the past two years to advance more than 30 new laws entrenching apartheid and Jewish supremacy â joining Adalahâs existing list of now more than 100 Israeli laws that discriminate against Palestinian citizens.
One of the reportâs central findings is a sweeping assault on freedom of expression, thought, and protest across a wide array of arenas. It includes laws prohibiting the publication of content that includes âdenial of the events of October 7,â as determined by the Knesset, and restricting broadcasts of critical media outlets that âharm state security.â
Germany: Activists brave Berlin‘s police despite last-minute ban on Gaza protest
Despite being scheduled in advance and approved by Berlinâs government, the city implemented a last-minute ban without providing an explanation.
As protesters were removed from the crowd by the police, others remained, shouting âWe will not be silencedâ – words that pro-Palestinian activists in Berlin have shouted countless times over the last two years.
Berlin: Polizeigewalt gegen Gaza-Aktivisten
Aufnahmen aus Berlin zeigen, wie Polizisten pro-palĂ€stinensische Demonstranten gewaltsam abfĂŒhren. Berichten zufolge kam es am Dienstagabend zu Polizeigewalt, nachdem eine Gaza-Demo wenige Stunden vor Beginn von der Versammlungsbehörde verboten worden war.
The Commissioner asks the German authorities to uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the context of the conflict in Gaza
(June 19, 2025)
In a letter addressed to the Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany published today, Commissioner OâFlaherty raises concerns about restrictions to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly of persons protesting in the context of the conflict in Gaza, as well as about reports of excessive use of force by police against protesters, including children.
Commissioner OâFlaherty also observes restrictions on events, symbols, or other forms of expression in this context. He recalls that member states have little scope to impose restrictions on political speech or on debate on matters of public interest, in line with the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe standards on freedom of expression, hate speech and hate crime. He urges the German authorities to be vigilant that the working definition of antisemitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance is not distorted, instrumentalised or misapplied to stifle freedom of expression and legitimate criticism, including of the state of Israel.
Recalling that member states have legal obligations to refrain from undue interference with human rights and to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all, the Commissioner asks the German authorities to avoid taking measures that discriminate against persons based on their political or other opinions, religion or belief, ethnic origin, nationality or migration status.
Mr. Alexander DOBRINDT Federal Minister of the Interior: Dear Minister ….
(June 6, 2025)
It is my understanding that since February 2025, the Berlin authorities have imposed restrictions on the use of the Arabic language and cultural symbols in the context of the protests. In some cases, such as an assembly in Berlin on 15 May 2025, marches have been restricted to stationary gatherings. Furthermore, protestors were allegedly subject to intrusive surveillance, online or in person, and arbitrary police checks. I am also concerned by reports of excessive use of force by police against protesters, including minors, sometimes leading to injuries.
(…)
I understand that restrictions have been justified on the basis that events, symbols, or other forms of expression âdisrupt public orderâ or âdisturb public peaceâ. The case-law of the European Court of Human Rightsâ (the Court) establishes that freedom of expression âapplies not only to âinformationâ and âideasâ that are favourably received, regarded as inoffensive, or which leave one indifferent [âŠ] – it implies pluralism, tolerance and openness, without which there is no âdemocratic societyââ. In assessing the necessity of the interference, member states have little scope to impose restrictions on political speech or on debate on matters of public interest, unless the views expressed comprise incitements to violence, and must always carry out such an assessment case by case.
I observe that other justifications invoked for the restrictions on rights include the prevention of antisemitism. I note with concern reports indicating that the working definition of antisemitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has been interpreted by some German authorities in ways which lead to the blanket classification of criticism of Israel as antisemitic. In that regard, I urge you to be vigilant that the IHRA working definition is not distorted, instrumentalised or misapplied to stifle freedom of expression and legitimate criticism, including of the state of Israel
The Commissioner asks the German authorities to uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the context of the conflict in Gaza
(June 19, 2025)
In a letter addressed to the Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany published today, Commissioner OâFlaherty raises concerns about restrictions to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly of persons protesting in the context of the conflict in Gaza, as well as about reports of excessive use of force by police against protesters, including children.
Commissioner OâFlaherty also observes restrictions on events, symbols, or other forms of expression in this context. He recalls that member states have little scope to impose restrictions on political speech or on debate on matters of public interest, in line with the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe standards on freedom of expression, hate speech and hate crime. He urges the German authorities to be vigilant that the working definition of antisemitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance is not distorted, instrumentalised or misapplied to stifle freedom of expression and legitimate criticism, including of the state of Israel.
Recalling that member states have legal obligations to refrain from undue interference with human rights and to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all, the Commissioner asks the German authorities to avoid taking measures that discriminate against persons based on their political or other opinions, religion or belief, ethnic origin, nationality or migration status.
Menschenrechtskommissar des Europarates kritisiert Bundesregierung wegen EinschrÀnkung der Meinungs- und Versammlungsfreiheit
Der Menschenrechtskommissar des Europarates, Michael OâFlaherty, hat in einem am 19. Juni veröffentlichten Brief an Bundesinnenminister Alexander Dobrindt seine Besorgnis ĂŒber EinschrĂ€nkungen der Meinungs- und Versammlungsfreiheit in Deutschland zum Ausdruck gebracht. Explizit verweist er in dem Schreiben auf die behördliche Repression von Protesten gegen Israels Vorgehen in Gaza sowie eine Instrumentalisierung des Antisemitismusvorwurfs, âum legitime Kritik, auch am Staat Israel, zu unterdrĂŒcken.â
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: STATE/ENTITY – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
04 Dec 2024
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
JAL
GBR 15/2024
– terrorism
– freedom of opinion and expression
– freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
– privacy
Information received concerning the potentially inappropriate use of provisions of the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism Act 2006, and the Anti-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. These provisions appear to have been employed to investigate, detain, collect data, and prosecute political activists and journalists, raising concerns about potential infringements of their fundamental
rights.
Alleged victims: 6
(…)
According to the information received:
Powers under counter-terrorism legislation have been used on multiple occasions to examine, detain, and arrest journalists and activists, particularly at the UK border. It is alleged that journalists and activists who are critical of Western foreign policy in the context of the conflict in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war are especially affected by the reported misuse of these powers. In particular, schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, have been used to examine and obtain data from journalists and activists, including Johanna Ross (Ganyukova), John Laughland, Kit Klarenberg, Craig Murray and Richard Medhurst in circumstances where they appear to have no credible connection to âterroristâ or âhostileâ activity. Furthermore, section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 has been used to charge journalists and activists, including Richard Barnard and Richard Medhurst, for allegedly expressing support for a âproscribed organisationâ in the course of activism and media reporting.
Without having knowledge of the material that may have substantiated the investigations or charges, we raise concern about an alleged pattern of overuse, or other misuse, of counter-terrorism legislation to target legitimate freedom of expression and opinion, including public interest media reporting, and related freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and political
dissent or activism.
(…)
Ben Saul
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
Irene Khan
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Gina Romero
Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
Ana Brian NougrĂšres
Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy
United Nations Censures UK Over Abuse of Terrorism Act Against Journalists and Activists
(February 6, 2025)
Four UN Special Rapporteurs have written jointly to the UK government demanding explanation of its inappropriate persecution of journalists and political activists under the Terrorism Act. They state that those persecuted:
appear to have no credible connection to âterroristâ or âhostileâ activity
The cases taken up by the United Nations are those of Johanna Ross (Ganyukova), John Laughland, Kit Klarenberg, Craig Murray (yes, me), Richard Barnard and Richard Medhurst.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Arab Leadership in Israel Appeals to Supreme Court Against Law Allowing Education Ministry to Dismiss Teachers and Cut Funding to Palestinian Schools Over Alleged âSupport of Terrorismâ
(December 17, 2024)
In the petition, Adalah Attorney Salam Irsheid argued that the law is clearly racist in intent, especially given the widespread persecution and criminalization of hundreds of Palestinian citizens by Israeli authorities and other entities since the outbreak of the war 7 October 2023, for merely expressing entirely lawful opinions. The lawâs deliberate vagueness, and the fact that it only addresses âincitement to terrorismââwhich is used almost exclusively to target Palestiniansâwhile excluding incitement to violence or racism, highlights its discriminatory purpose. By granting broad, unchecked powers to political and administrative authorities, the law enables punitive actions to be taken against Palestinian educators for expressing views that fall outside the mainstream consensus, thereby severely undermining their basic right to freedom of expression. Adalah further argued that the law breaches the principle of the separation of powers, as it grants the Education Ministry the authority to infringe on teachersâ rights to freedom of expression and occupation, effectively requiring a determination of whether they have committed a criminal offense, even if no charges have been filed against them.
Petition to Supreme Court; Far-Right Govt Consider Bill Banning Left and Arab Campus Groups
Hadash MKs opposed the proposed legislation, calling it âdime-store fascist populism and McCarthyism.â According to Hadash MK Aida Touma-Sliman, âThe Knesset is advancing two bills targeting critical students and professors, aimed primarily at Palestinian and leftist voices in academia. These bills seek to silence any remaining voices resisting the governmentâs policies of occupation and war. This marks another step in the fascist agenda to suppress any real opposition to the extreme right. Heads of universities, professors, and students recognize the danger of such legislation and are voicing their opposition.
On past week, the Knesset plenum, in a preliminary reading, passed a proposed law that would amend the Students Rights Law, allowing most Israeli higher education institutions to implement gender separation. MK Son Har-Melech proposed the law, which 55 members of the Knesset (MKs) supported and 45 MKs opposed.
âThey Are Behaving in a Fascist Way:â An Israeli-Arab Lawmaker on the Stifling of Anti-War Voices
(November 11, 2023)
We told the police that we are going to have this protest, that itâs going to be only leadership, that itâs not going to be a massive demonstration or something like this. The next day, when Barakeh was heading to Nazareth, they arrested him.
How do you interpret these crackdowns? Is this an attempt by the Israeli government to effectively criminalize expressions of Palestinian identity and solidarity?
Not only the Palestinian identity. I think that whatever they couldnât pass through the judicial overhaul, they are passing now under the cover of the war.
‚Think about that for a minute⊠The Home Secretary wanted a riot.‘ As the Home Secretary is sacked, @mrjamesob wonders why Suella Braverman attacked the police and ‚summoned‘ a mob of ‚far-right hooligans‘ to London.
(13.11.2023)
Despite a vile ban on pro-Palestine protests in France, thousands have massed in support of Gaza in Paris.
Live: French PM says gendarmes to use armoured vehicles against riots
French Prime Minister Ălisabeth Borne said Friday that the government was considering „all options“ to restore order, including declaring a state of emergency, after a third night of unrest across the country.
UN rights office calls on France to address âdeep issuesâ of racism in policing
âThis is a moment for the country to seriously address the deep issues of racism and discrimination in law enforcementâ, she said.
âWe also emphasize the importance of peaceful assembly. We call on the authorities to ensure use of force by police to address violent elements in demonstrations always respects the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, non-discrimination, precaution and accountability.
She called for any allegations of disproportionate use of force by people exercising their rights to protest, to be swiftly investigated.
Civil Liberties: Restore our Rights
Our administration will make it a top priority to protect and restore the fundamental civil liberties, enshrined in the Bill of Rights, that hold the essence of what America can be. These liberties have endured constant assault for over twenty years, starting with the Bush/Cheney War on Terror, and accelerating in the era of Covid lockdowns.
Freedom of speech is the capstone of all other rights and freedoms. Once a government has the power to silence its opponents, no other right is safe. We will therefore dismantle the censorship-industrial complex, in which Big Tech censors, deplatforms, shadowbans, and algorithmically suppresses any person or opinion the government asks them to. We will respect the right to privacy and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, by ending mass surveillance of American citizens and the abuse of civil asset forfeiture. We will make sure that the Covid-era suspension of the right to assembly, trial by jury, and freedom of worship will never happen again. The same for the right to property. During Covid, 3.4 million business were forced to close. Many of them, including 60% of Black-owned businesses, will never reopen.
A Kennedy administration will respect American citizens and stop treating them like suspects and schoolchildren. We will stop manipulating the public with propaganda and targeted leaks. We will never weaponize the law against political opponents, nor hold our own officials above the law. We will return the intelligence agencies to their proper role as protectors not violators of liberty.
Das ist kein Rechtsstaat mit Trennung der Teilgewalten mehr. Die Exekutive forciert offen die Wandlung in einen autoritĂ€ren Staat. Vor diesem Eindruck rufen wir alle auf, die mit uns zusammen wĂŒtend sind, entschlossen auf die StraĂe zu gehen! #le0506 #le0406 #le0306
Es setzt sich fort. Gerade wurde uns mitgeteilt, dass unsere, im KooperationsgesprĂ€ch noch zugesagte Versammlung, gegen Polizeigewalt und behördliche WillkĂŒr verboten wird. In Leipzig bleiben die Grundrechte weiterhin ausgesetzt. #le0406 #le0306 #TagX
Es folgt ein kurzer Ăberblick darĂŒber, welche im Grundgesetz festgeschriebenen Grundrechte an diesem Wochenende in #Leipzig durch @StadtLeipzig und @PolizeiSachsen eingeschrĂ€nkt oder verletzt wurden. #le0206 #le0306 #le0406 #TagX
+UPDATE+ @BVerfG nimmt Verfassungsbeschwerde gegen VG u. OVG-BeschlĂŒsse zum #TagX-Demo-Verbot nicht zur Entscheidung an.
Damit wird auch Eilantrag der Veranstalter gegenstandslos.
HeiĂt: Die Solidar-Versammlung fĂŒr #LinaE heute in #Leipzig bleibt endgĂŒltig untersagt
(at)D_Herrmann
Replying to @HassoSuliak
Gibt es eine BegrĂŒndung zum Nichtannahme-Beschluss des (at)BVerfG zu #TagX?
(Muss es ja nicht zwingend!)
@HassoSuliak
Nein, von einer BegrĂŒndung wurde abgesehen, s. Antwort an (at)lto_de