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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Censorship’s newest victim: Take action now!
July 13, 2017
Dear friends, The latest victim at the front of ACRI’s fight to protect freedom of expression in Israel is … Read more
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URGENT: Freedom of expression is under attack!
July 6, 2017
Dear Friends, Freedom of expression is Israel is under fire! Over the past two years, I’ve shared dozens of … Read more
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The Culture Minister never rests. Neither do we.
May 18, 2017
Dear Friends, Culture Minister Miri Regev never rests, and neither do we. In recent weeks she contacted the mayors … Read more
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Knesset approves law barring boycott supporters from entering Israel and the OPT
March 8, 2017
The Law violates most basic tenets of democracy by making political opinions a consideration that may prevent non-citizens from entering … Read more
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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
Legal Work
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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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Army to Avoid Using Dogs to Disperse Demonstrations in the Occupied Territories
June 17, 2012
ACRI welcomes the decision but still concerned about the statement from “a senior military source” that this practice might be … Read more
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ACRI to Police Commissioner: Stop Summoning of Social Justice Activists
June 14, 2012
Police violations of freedom of expression persisted despite Public Security Minister’s condemnation. Some summonses were subsequently cancelled. Over the … Read more
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Curb Illegal Police Treatment of Demonstrators
May 31, 2012
Following the accumulation of testimonies regarding police violence in the social justice demonstration in Tel Aviv two weeks ago, the … Read more
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Sweeping Prohibition of Demonstrations in Jerusalem’s Central Squares Is Illegal
May 30, 2012
Following the sweeping refusal of the Jerusalem police to approve demonstrations in two of the city’s main squares – Paris … Read more
In the Knesset
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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
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Knesset Roundup | Summary of Summer Session 2011
August 22, 2011
Knesset Summary – Summer 2011 With the conclusion of the summer 2011 Knesset session, the Association for Civil … Read more
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Civil Society Orgs: “We Will Continue Struggling for Equality and Democracy”
July 13, 2011
Yesterday (12 July 2011) Israeli media outlets reported that the Yisrael Beitenu party announced its intention to raise the parliamentary … Read more
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Knesset Passes Boycott Law; ACRI Plans to Appeal
July 12, 2011
Last night (11 July 2011), the Knesset plenum passed the Boycott Prohibition Bill in its final reading, with 47 MKs … Read more
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New Version of Boycott Prohibition Bill Approved for Final Reading
June 27, 2011
ACRI: “The bill is politically motivated, boycotting the occupation is a legitimate tool of protest.” Following the approval today … Read more
Publications
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ACRI’s State of Human Rights Report 2009: Rights on Condition
December 6, 2009
Annual survery finds conditioning of rights affects all members of society, weakens Israeli democracy JERUSALEM – December 6, 2009 – … Read more
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ACRI’s 2008 Annual Report
April 7, 2009
Presenting ACRI’s legal, educational and public outreach work, the Annual Report brings personal stories and highlights the orgnization’s activities To … Read more
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State of Human Rights Report 2008
December 7, 2008
ACRI Gauges Israel’s Realization of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 60th Anniversary of its Adoption The full version … Read more
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ACRI Report Slashes Civil Rights Abuses and Privatization
February 19, 2008
By Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondent. This article appeared in Ha`aretz on 12 December 2005 The Association for Civil Rights in … Read more
Media
Policy Advocacy
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New Knesset amendment seeks to silence criticism of IDF operations.
June 11, 2013
The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee will soon discuss the Anti-Libel Bill (Amendment – Defamation of IDF Soldiers) proposed … Read more
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ACRI: “Counter-Terrorism Bill” Will Seriously Harm Human Rights
June 9, 2013
Ahead of a discussion on the proposed Counter-Terrorism Bill by the Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs, the Association … Read more
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ACRI: ‘Jenin Jenin’ Law is Dangerous and Undemocratic
May 22, 2013
Proposed amendment to public defamation law would create a private right of action for otherwise anonymous soldiers to … Read more
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Verdict in Muhammad Amirah Case: No Obligation to Obey Illegal Orders from Soldiers
November 4, 2012
On October 18, 2012, the Military Court in Ofer acquitted Muhammad Amirah, an activist in the Popular Committee of the … Read more
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“Don’t turn September 2011 into October 2000”
September 8, 2011
In a letter sent two weeks ago (28 August 2011) to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and others, Adalah and the … Read more
Knesset Roundup
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Knesset Roundup | 6 June 2011
June 6, 2011
May 29 – June 6 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation May 29 | Monetary Limitations on Foreign Funding … Read more
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ACRI Review of Knesset Winter Session
April 13, 2011
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 | 28 March 2011
March 28, 2011
March 22 – March 30 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation March 22 | Acceptance to Communities Bill On … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | 14 March 2011
March 14, 2011
February 21 – March 17 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation February 21 | Funding from Foreign State … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | 21 February 2011
February 21, 2011
February 15 – February 25 2011 Recent Anti-Democratic Legislation February 15 | Prohibition on Instituting a Boycott … Read more