NEW YORK – Hagai El-Ad, the head of the Israeli civil liberties group Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), was arrested today for peaceably participating in a protest in East Jerusalem.
ACRI, Israel’s oldest and largest human rights and civil liberties organization, works to build a just and democratic society that respects the equal rights of all its members.
The following can be attributed to Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union:
“We are deeply concerned that one of Israel’s top human rights leaders has been detained for peaceably expressing his views. Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of a democratic society, and the ACLU stands in solidarity with groups around the world who work to protect this most important of rights.
“While we take no position on domestic issues within Israel, we wish to express our steadfast support for the right of Hagai El-Ad and our sister organization, ACRI, to protect and promote civil liberties and human rights in Israel.”
