Adalah Petitions Israeli Supreme Court Over Umm Al-Fahm Protest Restrictions

The Adalah Legal Center has filed a petition with the Israeli Supreme Court on behalf of the Popular Committee in Umm Al-Fahm, challenging restrictions imposed by the police on a protest against violence and crime. The protest was scheduled for September 5th at the city's entrance on Route 65.

The police had initially prevented the protest from taking place at the committee's chosen location, suggesting an alternative site at the first roundabout, approximately 200 meters away. Adalah argues that this alternative location is not visible from Route 65, undermining the protest's objective of conveying its message to road users. The petition also contests other police restrictions, including a limit of 200 participants and a requirement for organizers to ensure all attendees park legally.

Adalah contends that capping the number of participants is a disproportionate infringement on the right to protest, especially without a factual basis provided by the police to justify the number or link it to public order risks. The legal center also rejects the police's demand that organizers be responsible for ensuring legal parking, stating that while police can provide instructions, they cannot obligate organizers to guarantee every participant's compliance.

The petition highlights Umm Al-Fahm's history of successful protests, including on Route 65, and notes the police's familiarity with the organizers and their participants' discipline. Adalah emphasizes that the right to protest includes the ability to reach the intended audience, and moving the demonstration to an inconspicuous location negates its core purpose.

The Supreme Court has ordered the police to respond to the petition by Wednesday evening, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon to consider the legality of the restrictions.