May 18, 2026
One Week at the HCJ, Three Significant Proceedings
The past week saw significant and closely connected legal activity before Israel’s High Court of Justice (HCJ) across three proceedings supported by HRDF. Two urgent petitions were filed — one concerning the systematic failure to investigate settler violence against human rights defenders (HRDs), and another challenging the unlawful and extrajudicial abuse of military detention powers against Palestinian civilians across the West Bank. A third petition, challenging the administrative detention order issued against HRD Ayman Ghrayeb, was dismissed..Read more>>
Snapshot of video from attack in Qusra on 27 February 2026, video by Looking the Occupation in the Eye
April 29, 2026
Prominent Human Rights Attorney Ahmad Khalefa Convicted in Unprecedented Case
In clear evidence of the escalation in criminalization of human rights work, and in targeting Palestinian citizens of Israel, today, 29 April 2026, HRDF-funded Attorney Ahmad Khalefa was convicted, together with Muhammed Jabareen, on two counts of incitement to terrorism and identification with a terrorist organization citing Article 24 of Israel’s 2016 Counter-Terrorism Law as the legal justification for the allegations, in the first time these laws have been applied to target slogans at a non-violent protest.Read more>>
Ahmad Khalefa, image courtesy of SK
April 3, 2026
Two Important HCJ Petitions Concluded: One Plan Underpins Both
This week, two Human Rights Defenders Fund (HRDF)-funded petitions to Israel’s High Court of Justice (HCJ) concluded – one regarding the complete failure by multiple bodies to investigate the brutal assault of 70-year-old Hagar Gefen; the other regarding the administrative detention of Palestinian community organizer Rabia Abu Naim from his home in the threatened village of Al Mughayyir. In each case, we received partial remedy, but also saw all the more clearly as the state complicity in ethnic cleansing was laid out before, albeit in two different ways Read more>>
Rabia Abu Naim, courtesy of Avishay Mohar, Activestills
March 16, 2026
While the world’s attention has largely turned to the violence and the ramifications of the US-Israel led war against Iran, a parallel escalation is unfolding in the West Bank — one that is neither incidental nor uncoordinated. Israeli settlers are exploiting the current security crisis and the sweeping movement restrictions imposed on Palestinians to dramatically intensify their attacks on Palestinian land rights defenders (LRDs), shepherds, and the human rights defenders (HRDs) who stand alongside them, with at least six Palestinians killed by settlers since the war began. This is a continuation of an already dramatically accelerated pattern that we witnessed in recent months.. Read more>>
Image courtesy of Omri Eran Vardi, Activestills
January 26, 2026
Significant Precedent as Supreme Court Demands Army Curb Arbitrary Closed Military Zone Orders
On January 18, 2026, Israel’s Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling after it was forced to confront a practice that has shaped daily life for Palestinian communities and those who stand with them: the routine use of “closed military zone” orders to remove Palestinians and human rights defenders (HRDs) who accompany them from their land while violence by settlers goes unpunished. The Judges delivered their ruling in three petitions submitted consecutively in September 2023 by HRDF-funded attorneys, Alon Sapir and Riham Nasra. Read more>>
Image courtesy of Omri Eran Vardi, Activestills
December 23, 2025
In the past months, HRDF provided legal protection and representation in a wide range of cases reflecting the escalating pressure on human rights defenders. Our work included challenging arbitrary administrative detention; representing victims of settler violence during the olive harvest; achieving a Supreme Court ruling overturning a prison ban on a human-rights attorney; obtaining the release of 18 Palestinians following a mass arrest in Masafer Yatta; and defending dozens of anti-war protesters subjected to police violence, arbitrary arrests, and sweeping restrictions on protest. These cases illustrate the critical role of professional legal intervention in protecting fundamental rights. Read more>>
Image courtesy of Avishay Mohar, Activestills
December 11, 2025
NGO Taxation Bill: Updates from the Committee Hearing
On December 10, the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee convened to discuss the proposed NGO Taxation Bill, which seeks to impose a crippling tax on donations originating from friendly states. The bill’s sponsors presented new and highly punitive amendments to the bill, yet the hearing saw minimal substantive debate. This bill has evolved into a broad legislative assault on civil society, combining tax penalties, political prohibitions, judicial barriers, and new dissolution mechanisms. If enacted, it would effectively criminalise advocacy, silence dissent, and isolate NGOs working on human rights democratic accountability, and Palestinian issues. Read more>>
November 24, 2025
Urgent: Free Ayman Ghrayeb
This is an urgent call for an immediate intervention to secure the release of Ayman Ghrayeb, a prominent Palestinian human rights defender from the Jordan Valley. He was unlawfully arrested last Monday, 17 November 2025, and is currently held in Megiddo prison, facing a possibility of administrative detention without trial. His arrest followed demands made by settlers present at the scene. Read more>>
Image courtesy of Avishay Mohar, Activestills
November 19, 2025
NGO Taxation Bill: Updates from the Committee Hearing
The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee held its fourth discussion on the proposed NGO Taxation Bill. The bill seeks to impose a tax on donations from friendly states, effectively delegitimizing international support for Israeli civil society. During the discussion, both the opposition and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) voiced strong criticism, with the Ministry clearly stating that the bill constitutes a serious infringement on political freedom of expression. Since it is being promoted as a private bill, the coalition has wide latitude to push it forward despite professional objections. The coalition’s majority is therefore decisive, and the danger is significant. This makes continued and sustained international pressure absolutely crucial at this stage. Read more>>
September 11, 2025
It is a time of profound pain. Every day we are witnessing grave atrocities, leaving many around us feeling despair and helplessness. Precisely in such times, we choose to highlight moments of hope: the victories won through the tireless work of our lawyers and staff. Inside you will find examples of our lawyers’ inspiring work: resisting the silencing of human rights defenders, protecting the independence of lawyers, and challenging arbitrary detention. We hope these success stories offer some of the light that feels so scarce today. This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of our beloved friend and partner, Awdah Hathaleen. Read more>>
Image courtesy of Emily Glick
July 29, 2025.
Palestinian Human Rights Defender Awdah Hathaleen Shot to Death by Israeli Settler
With the deepest sorrow, we mourn the death of our dearest friend, human rights defender, and community leader Awdah Hathaleen, who was fatally shot last night, July 28, by Israeli settler Yinon Levy in the village of Umm al-Kheir, Masafer Yatta. Awdah was just 31 years old—a devoted father of three young boys, a beloved teacher, and a tireless advocate for justice and peace. Read more>>>
Image courtesy of Emily Glick
July 21, 2025.
NGO Taxation Bill: Key Updates
As stated by Smotrich in the committee hearing, this is clearly a politically motivated bill, aiming to silence dissent and restrict the work of human rights organizations and critics of the government. Such legislation stands in direct opposition to the democratic principle of freedom of speech. Read more>>
July 18, 2025.
Deadly Settler Attack Ends in Arrest of Activists
Following the establishment of a new settlement on Area A lands, on Friday July 11, dozens of heavily armed and masked settlers in pickup trucks arrived on Palestinian land, attacked many and killed two Palestinian men — yet only activists were arrested. In court, police representatives said they were unaware that Palestinians had been killed during the incident. Read more>>
Image courtesy of Oren Ziv
July 14, 2025.
Counterterrorism Law vs. Free Expression: the Cases of Journalist Israel Frey and Adv. Ahmad Khalife
The cases of Frey and Khalefa reflect a deliberate campaign to silence human rights defenders—whether journalists, lawyers, educators, or activists—through the misuse of the counterterrorism law. This is not about national security. It is about shrinking democratic space and suppressing dissent. Read more>>
Photo of Israel Frey courtesy of SK
June 24, 2025.
Update: Escalating Repression of Anti-War Protesters
Since the beginning of the war with Iran, Israeli authorities have intensified efforts to silence internal dissent. Peaceful citizens calling for an end to the war and for a hostage deal have been arrested, strip-searched, and threatened.
Image courtesy of Doron Ben-Shachar
June 16, 2025.
Update: Crackdown on Protesters’ Rights amid Wartime
On Sunday 15.6, four protesters were arrested during a small anti-war demonstration at Habima Square in Tel Aviv. The demonstrators took care to comply with Home Front Command regulations. Nevertheless, large police forces soon arrived and ordered the protest to disperse. Despite the demonstrators’ compliance, the police began forcefully arresting participants, violently shoving and pushing them. Read more>>
Image courtesy of Oren Ziv
June 12, 2025.
Update: Detention of Gaza Flotilla Participants
In the early hours of June 9, the international flotilla Madleen, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters, and its participants were arrested. HRDF strongly objects to their arrest in international waters and to the conditions of their detention, including the withholding of medical care and personal property. Read more>>
May 20, 2025.
Over the past months, we have seen a sharp escalation in measures targeting civil society, legal professionals, and human rights defenders in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. These developments span multiple fronts: legislative, judicial, and administrative. Read more>>
Image courtesy of Oren Ziv
April 2, 2025.
Palestinian Detainees Released Following Violent Attack on Jinba, Masafer Yatta
In the village of Jinba last Friday, armed settlers and around 100 soldiers unleashed terror upon Palestinian villagers, targeting their homes and their families. After the attack, Israeli soldiers detained 22 Palestinian villagers, including minors, in an indiscriminate mass arrest. Following a successful representation by HRDF-funded attorneys all of the detainees have been released.
Image courtesy of Oren Ziv
March 25, 2025.
Oscar Winning Director and Two Others Released on Bail after Settler Attack
Yesterday evening, three Palestinian residents of the South Hebron Hills — Khaled Mohammad Shanran, Nasser Shreteh, and Hamdan Ballal — were detained by Israeli forces in the aftermath of a violent settler assault on the village of Susya. Following legal representation by HRDF-funded attorney Adv. Lea Tsemel, all three were released from Israeli custody on bail.
Image courtesy of Oren Ziv
February 17, 2025
Two Dangerous Bills Advancing in the Knesset
Yesterday (16.2), the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved two bills that dismantle human rights work in Israel and Palestine, harm civil society organizations and shield Israeli authorities from accountability. The first bill proposes an 80% tax on donations from foreign state entities. The second bill criminalizes cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
February 17, 2025.
Update: Mahmoud and Ahmed Muna of the Educational Bookshop are Released!
Following a successful legal battle, Mahmoud and Ahmad Muna of the Educational Bookshop, pillars of the Palestinian and International Community in East Jerusalem, were released from detention earlier today, within 48 hours of their initial arrests. The expert legal representation provided by HRDF-funded Attorney Nasser Odeh successfully persuaded the court to reject the police’s initial request to extend their detention by another eight days.
Image courtesy of Oren Ziv
February 11, 2025.
Update: Mahmoud and Ahmed Muna of the Educational Bookshop are Released!
Following a successful legal battle, Mahmoud and Ahmad Muna of the Educational Bookshop, pillars of the Palestinian and International Community in East Jerusalem, were released from detention earlier today, within 48 hours of their initial arrests. The expert legal representation provided by HRDF-funded Attorney Nasser Odeh successfully persuaded the court to reject the police’s initial request to extend their detention by another eight days.
Image courtesy of Oren Ziv
February 10, 2025
Urgent: Arbitrary Arrest of Mahmoud and Ahmed Muna of the Educational Bookshop
In an extreme and dangerous assault on freedom of speech, thought, and expression, police arrested Ahmad and Mahmoud Muna, two employees of the esteemed and beloved Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem, on suspicion of “disturbing the public order.” Police stormed the bookstore, confiscated dozens of books, and ransacked the premises, acting on a search warrant issued on the basis of an alleged offence of sympathising with a terrorist organisation.
Image courtesy of Oren Ziv
January 9, 2025.
New Publication: Voices of Human Rights Defenders
The Human Rights Defenders Fund is proud to present our newest publication: VOICES OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS. In this publication, we hear from those who put themselves on the frontlines, every single day, to fiercely and courageously protect the basic freedoms and fundamental rights that we so deeply believe in and want to see in our shared society. This publication is accompanied by a video interview series, which can be viewed here.
Image courtesy of Sami Huraini
November 26, 2024.
Sentence in Sami Huraini trial
On Monday, November 25th, 2024, the trial of Sami Huraini came to a close. The judge issued the following sentence: a suspended prison sentence of one month over a one year duration. This means that Sami will not face any prison time, but will automatically be made to serve one month in prison if convicted of the same offense again over the next year.
Image courtesy of Sami Huraini
October 31, 2024.
Major Rise in Deportations of International Activists
Over the past two months, we have seen an overwhelming wave of random arrests and deportations of international human rights defenders involved in solidarity activities with Palestinian communities across Area C. Deportations have now become a default response following arrests of internationals, spurred by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s ongoing campaign to drive out “foreign influence” from local Israeli affairs.
September 3, 2024.
Case Updates: Ahmed Khalefa and Jamil Barghouti
Quick look: In an August 22 Supreme Court hearing, a judge ruled to relax the conditions of Ahmad Khalefa’s house arrest. Khalefa is no longer required to wear an electronic ankle monitor, is allowed to return to his work as an attorney, may leave house arrest during daylight hours, and is allowed to spend the remainder of his period of house arrest in his home with his wife and three children in Umm Al Fahm. | On Thursday, August 29, the three-year-long trial of Jamil Barghouti came to a close. Barghouti received a suspended sentence of 45 days over a year’s probationary period if he is to be convicted again, and was not required to pay a monetary fine.
August 14, 2024.
Urgent: Arbitrary Arrest of Ayman Gharib
On Monday, August 12th, Israeli occupation forces arrested Palestinian human rights defender Ayman Gharib while documenting the construction of an illegal unauthorized outpost in the northern Jordan Valley. That night, authorities informed Gharib’s attorney that he was being held under suspicions of incitement to terrorism.
July 8, 2024.
- Legal Victories and Highlights: Acquittal of Muhammad Rabaei and Curbing Ordinance 33; Victory in SLAPP suit Shay Glick v. Ketty Bar; Desirable Settlement in SLAPP suit of Sherman v. B’tselem, Zehava Galon, the late Yossi Gurvitz, Dean Issacharoff, and Yariv Oppenheimer; Desirable Settlement in Elad SLAPP Suit against CSOs and Activists
- Other Updates and On-the-ground Developments: Deportations and Harassment of International Activists; Legal Cases involving Extremist Settlers Listed in International Sanctions; Zvi Bar Yosef v. Kerem Navot; The State v. Einan Tanjil
Image courtesy of Yonatan Rotem
May 8, 2024.
Two Legal Wins and Conviction in Jamil Barghouti Case Verdict
Victory in SLAPP suit case brought on by Shay Glick against HRD Ketty Bar; criminal case against HRD Ahmad Haj Mahmoud closed with no conviction; Jamil Barghouti convicted of “participating in an illegal demonstration” and “disturbing a soldier during duty” in military court case>>
Image courtesy of Jamil Barghouti and Frontline Defenders
March 27, 2024.
Quick look: HRDF’s work since the war // Crackdown on dissent and the Anti-Terror Laws // Administrative detention and release of Munther Amira // Ethnic cleansing in the oPt and Article 33
February 12, 2024.
Supreme Court releases Ahmad Khalefa to House Arrest
Palestinian human rights lawyer, Adv. Ahmad Khalefa was finally released from Gilboa Prison to house arrest following our victory in a Supreme Court hearing to appeal his terms of detention. His release comes after 16 weeks of pretrial incarceration following his October 19th arrest, for participating in a peaceful anti-war demonstration in Umm al-Fahm.
Courtesy of Khalefa family
January 22, 2024.
Political Prisoners Unjustly Detained Under Horrific Conditions
Two prominent Palestinian human rights defenders, Adv. Ahmed Khalefa and Munther Amira, have been violently targeted and detained for their human rights work as part and parcel of the sweeping crackdown on political dissent since October 2023. Khalefa is being held as a political prisoner after participating in a peaceful protest against the Israeli bombardment on Gaza. Amira has been held in administrative detention since being violently arrested during a raid on his home. Both are suffering from inhumane prison conditions tantamount to torture, including starvation, degradation, and denial of medical treatment.
Courtesy of Khalefa family
January 7, 2024.
Munther Amira Al Waara Imprisoned in Administrative Detention
Palestinian human rights defender and a renowned leader in the non-violent movement Munther Amira Al Waara was violently arrested from his home while it was being raided by Israeli soldiers. Al Waara is one of thousands of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli security prisons, and is one of the rare few human rights defender in administrative detention with no record of violent activity.
Image courtesy of Munther Amira
November 20, 2023.
Crackdowns on basic freedoms since the start of the war
Quick look: HRDF human rights lawyer indicted for “incitement to terror;” extreme police violence; mass crackdown on voices of dissent; Issa Amro repeatedly targeted for expulsion from his home in Hebron>>
Image courtesy of SK
October 29, 2023.
Emergency Newsletter + Statement on 7.10
At HRDF, our convictions remain unshaken – if you condemn one war crime you condemn them all. We are unimaginably pained to see that this moment of national grief has been immediately weaponized into bloodthirsty calls to “flatten Gaza,” from citizens and government ministers alike, and that the international community has given the Israeli government carte blanche to carry out a campaign of war crimes against the Gazan civilian population in turn.
October 27, 2023.
Urgent: Live ammunition to be used on peaceful protestors
This new measure joins several others advanced by Itamar Ben Gvir in the last weeks, such as the establishment of armed local patrol groups (Kitot Koninut), the easing of requirements for obtaining gun license by civilians, and the distribution of 10,000 rifles en masse to Israeli residents and settlers.
September 5, 2023.
Quick look: Outcomes of Military Court Trials in Sami Huraini, Nasser Nawajah, Issa Amro cases // Legal Win in SLAPP suit against former Peace Now director Yariv Oppenheimer // Arrests during the evictions of the Sub-Laban Family // Arbitrary Detentions in the South Hebron Hills // Palestinian Girls Arrested After Extremist Settler Torments Young Boy in Khan Al Ahmar
September 4, 2023.
2023 Aachen Peace Prize Ceremony
We are proud and humbled to share with you that the Human Rights Defenders Fund has been awarded the esteemed Aachen Peace Prize for 2023.
This award is not just for us. It is for the tens of thousands of human rights defenders on the ground fighting fiercely and courageously for justice every day between the river and the sea.
Image courtesy of Aachener Friedenspreis Committee
July 11, 2023.
Eviction of Ghaith-Sub Laban Family and Political Arrest of Gil Hammerschlag
In the early hours of the morning between 5:00 and 6:00 am, Israeli police forces broke into the home of the Ghaith-Sub Laban family in Jerusalem’s Old City quarters, and evicted by force the multi-generational family who has lived there for 70 years since 1953. Shortly thereafter, settlers entered the apartment…
![]("]"]https://hrdf.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/No-Holiness-in-an-Occupied-City-1024x682.jpeg "No Holiness in an Occupied City")
Credit: Yahel Gazit
June 27, 2023.
Update: Partial success in appeal of Issa Amro case
The entire case from start to finish has been a clear targeted attempt to suppress Amro’s human rights work and political activities, violating basic human rights and protections that military court law does not guarantee to Palestinians living under occupation. HRDF ultimately secured acquittals for 14 out of 18 counts throughout the course of the entire trial, and secured a reduced sentence that ensured Amro will not face any prison time.
![]("]"]https://hrdf.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/issa-amro-appeal-pic-e1701351119558.jpeg "issa amro appeal pic")
Courtesy of HRDF
May 24, 2023.
Urgent: Taxation bill scheduled for Sunday vote
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation is scheduled to vote on a bill that would impose a 65% tax on civil society organizations funded by “foreign state entities.” If this taxation bill passes, it will effectively cripple all operations of human rights organizations in Israel, who rely heavily on grants from partner foundations funded by international state entities.
May 17, 2023.
Abductions and Arbitrary Detention in the South Hebron Hills
We have monitored a total of 28 individuals who were abducted with concealed whereabouts between April and May, as part and parcel of larger efforts to expel Palestinians from the area.
Credit: Mashhour Wihwah Abu Yazan (مشهور وحواح)
May 1, 2023.
Quick look: Persecution of Journalists and Documenters // Military Court Trial of Nasser Nawajah // Harassment of Sa’id Awad in Masafer Yatta // Arrests of HRDs waving Palestinian flags // Police brutality against protestors
February 16, 2023.
The Alarming Arrest of Yonatan Pollak
Pollak was charged with assaulting a police officer on the pretext that he threw stones at a Border Police vehicle – an accusation that Pollak categorically denies. Save for the witness testimonies of the two arresting border police officers, there is no material evidence (video or otherwise) to corroborate this charge, and Pollak claims that he overheard the two arresting officers coordinating their specific version of events…
Credit: Maya Avis
December 16, 2022.
Quick look: Prominent HRDs Targeted for Their Activity and Deterrence Bans Used // “Elad” Right-Wing Organization Sues Human Rights Organizations and Activists in Defamation SLAPP suit // UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs refers to the situation in Masafer Yatta
September 23, 2022.
Arrest of Prominent HRD Hafez Huraini
Huraini was injured in both his arms as a result of the attack from the six settlers. While Huraini was immediately detained, arrested and interrogated for attempted murder, the settler remained free.
Credit: Oren Ziv / Local Call
August 22, 2022.
Human Rights are not Terrorism
Following the declaration of prominent Palestinian civil society organizations as terrorist groups by Israel, several prominent Israeli human rights organizations came out with a solidarity statement. The statement repudiated the baseless declarations and called for the international community to pressure Israel to revoke its decision.
June 16, 2022.
Cancellation of indictments against Israeli HRDs
During the Covid-19 enforced lockdown several Israeli HRDs received fines while taking part in demonstrations and protective presence in the South Hebron Hills. After legal intervention by HRDF-funded attorneys Gaby Lasky and Riham Nassra, the prosecution canceled all indictments and fines.
Credit: Basel Al Adra / Local Call
June 7, 2022.
Quick look: Solidarity with Masafer Yatta // Palestinian University Students arrested for Political Activism // Sheikh Jarrah struggle // HRDF and the Movement for Freedom of Information Reveal Important Data regarding the Military Courts System
Credit: Oren Ziv
April 1, 2022.
Mistreatment of Palestinian student’s freedom of speech
Two Palestinian students from East Jerusalem were detained at the Hebrew University for singing a song in Arabic, by fellow students who are also members of the Israeli police. They were detained at the police station for over eight hours, after which they were released with bail and a six-days ban from the university. Despite support from university professors, the appeal to revoke the student’s ban was rejected by the judge, claiming that the police officers’ actions were legal and that the students’ right to freedom of speech can be compromised for other rights under certain circumstances.
February 25, 2022.
Israeli prosecution drops charges against Israeli HRD
Israeli HRD Sisat Fante was indicted for allegedly threatening and insulting a police officer during a demonstration. In the court hearing Fante’s lawyer strongly insisted that his sayings were protected by freedom of speech. Following the hearing and the strong line of defense, the prosecution decided to cancel the indictment.
Credit: Oren Ziv
January 20, 2022.
Eviction in the middle of the night in Sheikh Jarrah
On the night of January 19th, the Salhiyeh family members were violently evicted from their home in Sheikh Jarrah in which they lived since 1958. During the eviction, eighteen Palestinian and Israelis HRDs were arrested, including family members. Despite the police’s efforts to extend their arrest, the judge ruled that they pose no threat.
Credit: S.K.
October 24, 2021.
Draconian Measures against Human Rights Organizations
Following the designation of six prominent Palestinian Human Rights Organizations as terrorist organizations , a statement of solidarity by the Human Rights Defenders Fund.
October 14, 2021.
HRD’s Violently Arrested during Solidarity Olive Harvest
Three HRDs were violently arrested by the Israeli army while assisting Palestinian families in their yearly olive harvest. Even though the lands were private Palestinian lands and they were entitled to enter them for harvesting, the HRD’s were arrested allegedly for entering a closed military zone and assaulting a soldier.
Credit: Matan Golan
September 26, 2021.
“Waving a Palestinian flag does not constitute a criminal offense”
During the weekly protest in Sheikh Jarrah, four protesters were violently arrested by police for waving Palestinian flags. One of the four was injured in the head by police during the arrest and hospitalized. All four protesters, one of whom is a minor, were arrested on suspicion of participating in a riot and disturbing the peace by waving the flags. The judge ruled that the act of waving a Palestinian flag does not constitute a criminal offense, nor in this case did it constitute a disturbance of the peace, and the judge ordered for the immediate unconditional release of the HRDs.
Credit: Matan Golan
September 26, 2021.
Arrest of seven Palestinian Journalists
During a peaceful demonstration against the establishment of the new outposts and settlers’ violence in South Hebron hills, the Israeli military arrested seven Palestinian journalists who were covering the protest. The journalists were arrested and their equipment was confiscated shortly after the protest was over when they were heading to their cars, although they identified themselves as journalists to the soldiers. After legal consultation they were interrogated and released without conditions, and their equipment was returned.
July 14, 2021.
Human Rights NGO wins Defamation Lawsuit
Right-wing activist Shai Glick filled a 100,000 ILS defamation lawsuit against Israeli NGO Emek Shaveh which ended in a settlement. The lawsuit was filed following a discussion about construction in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, on the organizations Facebook page. Glick, who joined the discussion, was accused of spreading lies by the page administrator and not long after filed the defamation lawsuit. In the settlement agreement, Glick acknowledged that political disagreements should take place in the public sphere, rather than in court, and Emek Shaveh, was not required to pay any damages to Glick.
May 24, 2021.
Securing Freedom of Expression in Sheikh Jarrah and Beyond
During the difficult time and violent events of April and May 2021, HRDF operated a hotline offering legal representation, advice and on-call lawyers in Sheikh Jarrah, West Jerusalem, Haifa and other cities which delivered legal aid and representation to 63 human rights defenders, residents of Sheikh Jarrah and others.
Credit: Oren Ziv
March 23, 2021.
Military Court sentences human rights defender Issa Amro to Suspended Prison sentence
After a five-year long trial, the Israeli Military Court sentences prominent Palestinian human rights defender Issa Amro to a three month suspended prison sentence for a probation period of two years, after being convicted of assault, taking part in an illegal march and demonstration, and disrupting a soldier. Even though it does not include imprisonment, the sentence severely restricts Amro’s ability to pursue activities aimed at protecting and promoting human rights in the OPT, and to exercise his freedom of expression.
February 28, 2021.
15 Bedouin HRD’s arrested for Protesting Appropriation of their land
During a demonstration against a State operation of land ploughing and infrastructure demolishing of Bedouin villages in the Negev, 15 citizens including a minor were arbitrarily arrested. 11 of them were detained in a police vehicle from the morning hours until the evening while being deprived from food and water. The police conduct in this case constitutes a violation of freedom of expression, breaching international standards.
January 7, 2021.
Military Court convicts Issa Amro
The Israeli Military Court convicted prominent Palestinian human rights defender Issa Amro on assault, taking part in an illegal march, disrupting a soldier, and taking part in an illegal demonstration. All the incidents leading to the indictment involved peaceful activity on Amro’s behalf, followed by his assault by soldiers and the police, which in some cases required medical treatment. Amro was also acquitted of 12 other charges after the Prosecution failed to bring evidence to support its claims.
November 24, 2020.
Rare Victory at the Supreme Court: Appeal of Bedouin HRD’s accepted
The Supreme Court granted the appeal of six members of the Abu Madhi’m A-Turi family of the unrecognized Bedouin village Al-‘Arāgīb, and overturned the ruling of the District Court, which ordered they pay costs in the amount of over 1M ILS, to cover the expenses of eight demolitions of their village carried out by the state in 2010. The court accepted the appeal to decrease the costs amount to comply with principles of justice and equality, and due to the fact that this is the first time the police civilly sue civilians to cover the costs of its official and budgeted work.
November 11, 2020.
Criminal Proceedings against Bedouin HRD’s Suspended
Following a four-year legal battle, the Magistrate’s Court stayed the criminal proceedings against six members of the Abu Madhi’m A-Turi family of the unrecognized Bedouin village Al-‘Arāgīb. The event which led to their indictment was when the family and other community members were arrested while peacefully protesting in front of bulldozers that were working on the villages lands on behalf of the Jewish National Fund.
September 21, 2020.
Court sentences Bedouin HRD’s to Imprisonment
Members of the Abu Madhi’m A-Turi family of the unrecognized Bedouin village Al-‘Arāgīb were sentenced to imprisonment by the Magistrate’s Court after being convicted following a protest in which they were defending their land from bulldozers. The criminalization of the Abu-Madhi’m family for living on their land, and the findings that this is an offence that carries prison sentences, effectively criminalizes thousands of Bedouin citizens with similar status on the land.
July 27, 2020.
Hundreds Violently Arrested as Mass Demonstrations Across Israel Continue
Thousands of citizens across the country flooded the streets to protest the economic crisis caused by Covid-19, the lack of governmental aid, and a line of anti-democratic measures imposed by the government. During the mass demonstrations hundreds were violently arrested by the police and were supported by the HRDF hotline and funded lawyer Adv. Leah Tsemel.
Credit: Oren Ziv
May 13, 2020.
Victory in Military Court: Criminal Proceedings Against HRD Suspended
Following a five-year legal battle, all criminal proceedings against HRD Zihad Mahamra were suspended. For years, Mahamra and his family refused to give up and persisted to defend their lands in the village of Bir al Eid, withstanding numerous violent attacks and harassments by settlers. Mahamra was indicted after falsely being accused of assaulting a settler , even though he was the one who had been attacked in the event.
