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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Documenting Protests
January 14, 2016
The DocoRights Project was established to protect the freedoms of expression and protest, by providing demonstrators with support and advice. … Read more
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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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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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It is the Attorney General’s job to stop Miri Regev!
November 30, 2015
The Minister of Culture and Sport, Miri Regev is again acting outside of her authority to censor and threaten Israeli … Read more
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Freedom of art / Art of freedom
November 19, 2015
This week I gave a lecture at Shenkar College on the freedom of artistic expression. As I stood before dozens … Read more
Legal Work
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ACRI Continues to Struggle Against Illegal Police Conditions for Demonstrations
February 7, 2012
On 28 November 2011, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) has written to the legal adviser of the … Read more
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High Court Ignores Chilling Effect Caused by the “Nakba Law”
January 5, 2012
High Court: “The questions that this law raises will only become clear with its implementation” Adalah and ACRI: “The … Read more
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Illegal Use of Closed Military Zone Orders to Restrict Legal Protest
November 7, 2011
ACRI has written to the Commander of the Judea and Samaria Division and to the Commander of the Judea and … Read more
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Rescind Directives to Settlers Regarding Use of Live Fire in September
August 31, 2011
ACRI calls on military to rescind directives to settlers regarding the use of live fire in September. Following a … Read more
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ACRI Demands That Municipal Authorities Refrain from Harassing Protest Encampments
August 15, 2011
Following recent threats published in the media regarding intentions to evict protest encampments, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel … Read more
In the Knesset
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Update: Top Anti-Democratic Legislative Initiatives
January 30, 2011
ACRI LIST OF TOP ANTI-DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES Last updated: 30 January 2011 Bills which are being promoted with the support … Read more
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ACRI Letter to Netanyahu, Rivlin on Anti-Democratic Trends
October 5, 2010
21 July, 2010 Attn: Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister Prime Minister’s Office Jerusalem MK Reuven Rivlin Knesset Speaker The Knesset … Read more
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MK Rivlin’s Response to ACRI: Anti-Democratic Trends
October 5, 2010
[stamp] Received by ACRI on 4 August, 2010 Knesset Speaker’s Office Jerusalem – 3 August 2010 Ref: 02859010 Attn: Mr. … Read more
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ACRI Letter to MK Rotem: Boycott Bill
October 5, 2010
7 September 2010 To: MK David Rotem Chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee Members of the Knesset … Read more
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MK Rivlin Response to ACRI
October 5, 2010
Re: Verbal Abuse and Silencing at the Knesset [stamp] Received by ACRI on 20 June, 2010 Knesset Speaker’s Office Jerusalem … Read more