Police Attempt to Suppress Protests Against the Iran War
- ACRI
- Mar 30
- 2 min read
On March 4, 2026, ACRI submitted an appeal to the Attorney General and to the police following the dispersal of a small and quiet demonstration against the war with Iran in Habima Square in Tel Aviv. About 20 protesters participated. Upon their arrival at the location, they found around 40 police officers waiting for them. The officers declared that the gathering was unlawful and was disturbing the public order. The demonstration was violently dispersed: police officers assaulted protesters, and snatched signs out of their hands. One of the protesters was even arrested and subjected to a full strip search, which was conducted without authority, contrary to the law, and done with the sole intent to humiliate. At the same time, many people were gathered in Habima Square, some in large groups against the Home Front Command guidelines, yet the police chose not to enforce Home Front Command guidelines on those individuals.
On March 10, 2026, ACRI sent another appeal after another protest held at the same location calling for an end to the war with Iran was suppressed. In response to harassment and attacks by counter‑protesters, the police declared that the demonstration was unlawful due to “concern for public safety” and forcefully dispersed it. By doing so, the police not only allowed the counterprotesters to shut down the antiwar demonstration, the counterprotest was also used as a pretext to suppress the protest. ACRI reiterated that suppressing protests is unlawful and demanded that all law enforcement officers be instructed that they must ensure freedom of expression and protest for all.
On March 29, 2026, ACRI submitted an appeal to the Commander of Home Front Command and to the Acting Legal Adviser to the Police following the violent and unlawful dispersal of yet another demonstration in Habima Square in Tel Aviv, on the grounds that it was held contrary to Home Front Command guidelines. Attorney Eden Gilad wrote that there was no justification for dispersing a protest held near a protected space that could accommodate the protesters in the event of an attack, and requested that it be clarified that restrictions on gatherings do not apply to demonstrations, or at least not to demonstrations held near protected spaces.
ACRI's appeal, March 4, 2026 (Heb)
ACRI's appeal, March 10, 2026 (Heb)
ACRI's appeal, March 29, 2026 (Heb)
