Protest-by-Hagai-ElAdToday ACRI petitioned the Acting Chief Police Commander, Benzi Sau and demanded an end to violations of the freedom of demonstration, that are occurring towards those protesting the gas deal. It is the role of Israel’s police force to protect the freedom of demonstration, however inquiries received by ACRI over the last few days indicate that the opposite is happening.
The Police demand that the organizers of protests bear individual, criminal responsibility for disturbances that occur during or after demonstrations. These demands, as well as additional requirements that have been imposed upon the organizers of protests, are illegal. The riots that developed during the protests in Be’er Sheva and Tel Aviv last Saturday were not initiated by the organizers of the demonstration, some of whom were not even present at the time.
There are expected to be more protests against the gas deal this Saturday. It is the Acting Chief of Police’s responsibility to instruct all police stations across the country to avoid placing illegal conditions on the organizers of the demonstration, that harm the freedom of speech and the freedom of demonstration. If the police continue to impose these conditions, ACRI will demand that police explain their reasons for doing so.
The petition, written by ACRI Attorney Sharona Eliahu-Chai, stressed that although this petition addresses the current protests against the gas deal, it is equally relevant and applicable to all demonstrations, regardless of the issue.
