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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Demand Accountability. Demand Freedom of Expression. Support ACRI.
May 24, 2018
Dear Friends, In parallel to the protests of Palestinians along the Gaza border, which began on March 30th 2018, groups … Read more
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ACRI Strongly Oposes Against Systematic Harassment and Violence Against Demonstrators
May 23, 2018
21 May 2018 To: Dr. Avichai Mandelblit Attorney General Dear Sir, Re.: The Grave Conduct of the Israel … Read more
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Defending the Border is Not a Licence to Kill.
May 15, 2018
In response to today’s events in Gaza, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel asserts – defending the border is … 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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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
Legal Work
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ACRI Petitions Supreme Court to Annul the Anti-Boycott Law
February 16, 2014
Civil society petitioners argue the law violates the constitutional rights to expression, dignity and equality and places a … Read more
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Shin Bet Summons Political Activists for “Warning Conversations”
July 30, 2013
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) filed a petition last Thursday (July 25) asking the High Court … Read more
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University can not Forbid Students from Distributing Political Leaflets on Campus
April 25, 2013
Supreme Court grants ACRI appeal against Ben-Gurion University’s ban on distribution of leaflets on campus. Supreme Court President Grunis: … Read more
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Denial of Academic Studies for Security Prisoners
December 25, 2012
In July 2011, the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) decided to discontinue studies at the Open University for prisoners classified as … Read more
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ACRI: Racist Campaign by Otzma Leyisrael Should not be Banned
December 13, 2012
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) disagrees with the decision of Central Elections Committee Chairman, Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, … Read more
In the Knesset
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ACRI Opposes Yet Another Anti-NGO Bill
March 2, 2014
Amendment would disqualify NGOs that contradict Israel’s Jewish character On Sunday March 2, 2014, the Ministerial Committee … Read more
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Banning the Use of Nazi Symbols
January 16, 2014
On January 9, 2014, ACRI submitted its position to the members of the Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs and … 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
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ACRI: Racist Campaign by Otzma Leyisrael Should not be Banned
December 13, 2012
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) disagrees with the decision of Central Elections Committee Chairman, Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, … Read more
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Update: Anti-Democratic Legislation Initiatives
August 2, 2012
In recent years, ACRI has been increasingly troubled by expanding assaults on Israel’s democratic values. Of great concern is the … Read more
Publications
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ACRI’s State of Human Rights Report 2012
December 16, 2012
ACRI’s 2012 Situation Report examines the current state of human rights in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: house … Read more
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Protest under Threat
June 24, 2012
This past weekend, two summer phenomena returned to the streets of Tel Aviv: the longtime tradition of a summer heat … Read more
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The Case of Muhammad Amirah and the Criminalization of Protest in the West Bank
June 20, 2012
On 20 June 2011 Ni’lin resident Muhammad Amirah was charged with incitement and support for a hostile organization and disturbing … Read more
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State of Human Rights Report 2011: Far from Sight, Liberty in Israel Is Diminishing
December 8, 2011
To mark International Human Rights Day, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) is publishing its annual report on … Read more
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Rights of Demonstrators in the Occupied Territories (Informational Pamphlet)
September 18, 2011
Following recent publications regarding the preparation of Israeli security forces ahead of the anticipated protests to take place during the … Read more
Media
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ACRI Executive Director and Fellow Protesters Released without Charges
January 17, 2010
Following forceful diffusion of legal protest on Friday and the arrest of 17 participants, Court releases all of them without … Read more
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ACRI: University Lecturer has the Right to Express Political Opinions
August 23, 2009
ACRI condemns Ben Gurion University statements against Dr. Neve Gordon following the publication of an Op-Ed in the Los Angeles … Read more
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NGOs Protest Government Attempts to Silence ‘Breaking the Silence’
August 11, 2009
ACRI and partners call on government to participate in public debate on Gaza War testimonies by soldiers as detailed in … Read more
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Defending Freedom of Speech in Israel, the Web 2.0 Version
June 17, 2009
Users of www.Lystom.com can indicate which group should specifically be silenced – lefties, right-wingers, Arabs, new immigrants, Jews, settlers, heterosexuals, … Read more
Policy Advocacy
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Counter-Protesters Terrorize Participants at a Political Conference
November 30, 2014
ACRI contacted the Commissioner of Israel Police on November 26, 2014, following rioting by protesters at an artistic event that … Read more
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Attorney General to Limit Claims by Government Authorities Against Community Organizations
October 6, 2014
In 2005, during Jerusalem’s gay pride parade, one of the participant’s was stabbed by an ultra-orthodox resident of the … Read more
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ACRI to Government Authority – Reverse Anti B’tselem Decision or Face Legal Action
August 16, 2014
On the evening of August 13, 2014, B’tselem received a letter from the Director General of the National Civilian Service … Read more
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Bar-Ilan University Rebukes Professor for Expressing Concern for Both Palestinian and Israeli Victims
July 31, 2014
Professor Hanoch Sheinman, a professor of law at Bar-Ilan University, sent an e-mail to his second year students regarding … Read more
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Employers Can Not Fire Workers for Making Objectionable Remarks
July 29, 2014
Following numerous reports of sanctions imposed upon employees and students, ACRI has published a detailed document about free speech online … Read more
Knesset Roundup
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Knesset Roundup | January 21
January 21, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | December 17
December 17, 2013
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Update: Anti-Democratic Legislation Initiatives
August 2, 2012
In recent years, ACRI has been increasingly troubled by expanding assaults on Israel’s democratic values. Of great concern is the … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | November 14
November 14, 2011
November 13 – November 21 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation November 13 | Curtailing Foreign Funding to Civil … Read more
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Knesset Continues Attempts to Silence Civil Society
November 8, 2011
The Knesset’s winter session opened only a week ago, and is already continuing to promote concerning anti-democratic legislation. As ACRI … Read more