Another Unlawful Attempt By Police to Block a Protest

A demonstration in Pardes Hanna to bring back the hostages. Photo: Amos Gil, Shatil-stok

On February 18, 2026, ACRI contacted the Commander of the Coastal District and the Acting Legal Advisor of the Israel Police following unlawful demands made by the police toward the organizers of an event titled “In Pardes Hanna, We Choose Peace and Nonviolence.” The police were requiring the organizers of the event, which was going to take place in an auditorium, to obtain a permit and to hire security guards at their own expense. This type of event does not require a permit, and the demands were made at the last-minute, in spite of the fact that the organizers had been in regular contact with intelligence officers, who were kept informed and updated about the event and stated that there was no reason for it not to take place. 

In our appeal, Attorney Eden Gilad argued that the police had no legal authority to made their demands. According to the law, the courts, and the procedures published by the Israel Police itself, a police permit is required only for events held in open public spaces. No permit is required for an event held indoors. Regarding security, the courts have ruled that for public or political events (as opposed to commercial or cultural events) such as demonstrations, public assemblies, election events, the police are not authorized to require organizers to bear the costs of maintaining public order. A core responsibility of the police, as determined by the courts, is to ensure the security of events that constitute an exercise of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression and protest. The unlawful police demands raise concerns that this is an attempt to create obstacles for the event organizers and to ultimately block the event. This is an infringement on freedom of expression and protest, and creates a chilling effect for other would-be organizers. Particularly troubling is the fact that the police made these demands for an event organized in response to violence and harassment experienced by residents at a previous community gathering. 

Following ACRI's appeal, the police announced that the event does not require a permit, and that the security costs would be borne by the owner of the space, and not by the event organizers. 

ACRI's appeal, February 18, 2026 (Heb)