Freedom of Speech, Israeli-Style: No One Is Allowed to Speak Up or Stand for Justice!
While Israeli settlers continue to attack Palestinian farmers and threaten their access to their own land in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces have detained and deported 14 foreign activists whose presence was intended to support the farmers during the olive harvest. The move once again raises serious questions about Israel’s claims to uphold freedom of expression and human rights, as even peaceful solidarity with Palestinians is treated as a threat to public order.
Tel Aviv : According to Raaz News | Israeli authorities announced on Sunday the deportation of 14 foreign activists who had been detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank on Friday, accusing them of disturbing public order.
In a statement, Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority said the 14 foreign nationals, who had entered Israel on tourist visas, were deported after security forces detained them over alleged violations of legal provisions and involvement in activities described as disturbances of public order.
The activists were detained while accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest between the villages of Ras Karkar and Kafr Ni'ma, west of Ramallah.
According to the Palestinian campaign Faz'a, which mobilizes local and international volunteers to help Palestinian farmers access their land and protect them against attacks by Israeli settlers, the foreign activists were assaulted by settlers before being detained and transferred in a bus.
The Israeli human rights organization Human Rights Defenders Fund also confirmed the activists' detention following confrontations with settlers.
Meanwhile, Israeli police announced the arrest of three Palestinians who had been accompanying the foreign activists.
Under Israel’s version of freedom and public order, standing alongside Palestinian farmers and defending their right to access their land can apparently constitute a punishable offense. While attacks by settlers continue, those who offer solidarity and support to the Palestinians face detention and deportation. A system in which defending human rights is treated as a threat, while the rights of an occupied population remain under constant assault.