Freedom of Expression
You have reached ACRI’s archive, updated with our activity up until 2018. For more recent posts, please visit our current website here.
Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy and is one of the essential ingredients in the realization of individual freedom, because it allows members of a society to openly evaluate and criticize its government. As such, all individuals in democratic societies should have the right to express themselves freely in speech, writing or otherwise, to demonstrate freely, and to disseminate information and opinions for the public interest. Freedom of expression does not only mean the expression of views that are widely accepted by the public or reflect the government’s policies, but also minority views and views that are considered irritating, extreme, and unacceptable.
ACRI works relentlessly to prevent violations to freedom of expression in Israel. ACRI seeks to defend those who use this freedom for the purposes of protecting and promoting human rights, and to hold accountable government and non-government officials who use their authority to subdue critical voices. Not only does ACRI support protesters through legal work and rights education, but through an annual Human Rights March that promotes public awareness of effective usage of freedom of expression. Through its commitment to ensuring Freedom of Expression to all members of Israeli society, ACRI has brought about numerous landmark rulings safeguarding this fundamental freedom.
All
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Warning Conversations at Ben Gurion International Airport
August 6, 2018
Over the past two months, several incidents have been reported involving the detention of workers in civil society organizations at … Read more
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Summary of the Knesset’s summer session
July 26, 2018
ACRI offers the following summary of the central issues that we addressed during the Knesset’s summer session that concluded in … Read more
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The “Breaking the Silence” Law
July 20, 2018
State Education Law (Prevention of Activity in an Educational Institution of External Bodies Acting Against the IDF or the Goals … Read more
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Knesset Round Up | June 3
June 3, 2018
Subscribe to our weekly Knesset update here: Registration Urban planning and building in the West Bank Strategic control of the … Read more
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Human Rights Organizations Petition High Court against Shooting along Gaza Border
May 25, 2018
Legal Work
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ACRI annuls the anti-democratic Press Ordinance – Help ACRI do more
February 17, 2017
Dear Friends, We made history this week when a bill calling for the cancellation of the controversial Press Ordinance … Read more
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High Court of Justice Refuses to Invalidate Anti-Boycott Law
April 16, 2015
On 11 July 2011, the Knesset passed the Anti-Boycott Law, which enables the filing of civil lawsuits against those who … Read more
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Supreme Court Criticizes Lack of Free Speech on Campus
March 8, 2015
Update (9 March, 2015): The court accepted ACRI’s arguments and expressed severe criticism of the university’s policy of limiting … Read more
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Knesset Candidates Being Disqualified for Cynical and Political Purposes
February 17, 2015
ACRI has called to immediately remove the power to disqualify Knesset candidates and political parties from politicians. On … Read more
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Court Roundup | December 2013 – March 2014
March 25, 2014
Rulings & Decisions Equal Representation for Women & Arabs On December 19, 2013, ACRI Attorney Nisreen Alyan … Read more
In the Knesset
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Summary of the Knesset’s summer session
July 26, 2018
ACRI offers the following summary of the central issues that we addressed during the Knesset’s summer session that concluded in … Read more
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Knesset Round Up | June 3
June 3, 2018
Subscribe to our weekly Knesset update here: Registration Urban planning and building in the West Bank Strategic control of the … Read more
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Update: Overview of Anti-Democratic Legislation in the 20th Knesset
December 24, 2017
In recent years we have witnessed a disturbing trend toward the erosion of democratic values in Israel and the promotion … Read more
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Eagerness to silence criticism is greater than support for democracy
December 28, 2015
The Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs proved once again that there is more support for silencing criticism than for democracy. … Read more
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ACRI’s response to the Draft NGO Funding Bill
November 2, 2015
“This proposal is yet another attempt to harm Israeli democracy through silencing and intimidation. This legislative memorandum aims to … Read more
Publications
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Update: Overview of Anti-Democratic Legislation in the 20th Knesset
December 24, 2017
In recent years we have witnessed a disturbing trend toward the erosion of democratic values in Israel and the promotion … Read more
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Eagerness to silence criticism is greater than support for democracy
December 28, 2015
The Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs proved once again that there is more support for silencing criticism than for democracy. … Read more
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Иски за клевету как угроза свободе слова: отчет Ассоциации в защиту гражданских прав
April 18, 2013
Ассоциация в защиту гражданских прав опубликовала новый отчет, посвященный проблеме свободы слова в Израиле – “Глушитель: Иски за клевету как … Read more
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The Silencer: A New Report by ACRI
February 24, 2013
The Silencer: Libel Litigation as a Threat to Free Speech A new report by the Association for Civil … Read more
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ACRI to Election Committee: Parties and Candidates Must not Be Disqualified on Ideology
December 19, 2012
The Knesset’s Central Election Committee will hold a hearing today (Wednesday 19 December) on a number of petitions to disqualify … Read more
Media
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Haaretz: Israeli Minister Axes Workshop With NGO That ‘Defends Terrorists’
November 29, 2017
Education Minister Naftali Bennett has canceled the workers’ rights event after complaints by parents who have lost children to terror … Read more
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“An Artificial Night” / Hagai El-Ad
September 12, 2010
An op-ed by ACRI Director Hagai El-Ad This article was originally published in Haaretz English Edition on September 8, 2010. … Read more
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ACRI Slams Court Decision against Hijab-Wearing Teacher
September 1, 2010
In response to the Jerusalem Labor Court’s support of a school which had fired a teacher for wearing a head … Read more
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ACRI: Put “We Con the World” Back on YouTube
June 14, 2010
Board Member Dr. Michael Birnhack: satirical video based on hit 80s song was within fair use The Association for Civil … Read more
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ACRI Calls on Israel to Enable Protests, following Flotilla Crisis
May 31, 2010
Appeal to PM, Ministers: Given tragic history, it’s critical for security forces to protect demonstrators The Association for Civil Rights … Read more
Policy Advocacy
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Petition to include Dorit Rabinyan’s book in the curriculum
January 5, 2016
Following the decision to disqualify the book “Gader Haya” (translated as “Borderlife” in English) from the high school literature curriculum, … Read more
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Police Discrimination Against Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem
September 1, 2015
On August 4, 2015, ACRI contacted the Jerusalem District Commander of Israel Police in response to reports of profiling against … Read more
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Banning the Screening of “Shivering in Gaza” is a Violation of Free Speech
July 20, 2015
The municipalities of Sderot and Be’er Sheva have surrendered to political pressure and prevented the screening of a movie that … Read more
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Ministers Bennett and Regev are Trampling on Free Artistic Expression
June 11, 2015
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has demanded that the Ministers Bennett and Regev retract their recent public … Read more
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Highly Doubtful that Police Acted According to Regulations
May 5, 2015
Riot control measures must be utilized by the police in a strictly measured manner, and in accordance with the severity … Read more
Knesset Roundup
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Summary of the Knesset’s summer session
July 26, 2018
ACRI offers the following summary of the central issues that we addressed during the Knesset’s summer session that concluded in … Read more
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Knesset Round Up | June 3
June 3, 2018
Subscribe to our weekly Knesset update here: Registration Urban planning and building in the West Bank Strategic control of the … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | December 2
December 2, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | June 17
June 19, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | March 4
March 4, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more