Police Cannot Ban Protesters from Holding Pictures of Gazan Children Killed in the War

Photos of people and children killed in Gaza during a demonstration. Photo: "Standing Together"

On May 29, 2025 ACRI sent an urgent petition to the Supreme Court asking it to approve the display of pictures of children from Gaza who were killed in the war as part of a demonstration. The petition was filed after the organizers of the demonstration from the group “Standing Together” received a phone call from a police officer who informed them that displaying pictures of the children would be prohibited. The officer informed the organizers that if the protesters do carry pictures of children who are residents of Gaza who were killed in the war, they would be arrested and the permit for the demonstration would be revoked. 

ACRI’s petition argued that this ban on the photographs is illegal and constitutes an abuse of police authority that restricts freedom of expression and protest. We demanded that the police be required to refrain from interfering with the demonstration, including confiscating the pictures and detaining or arresting participants in the for carrying the pictures. We further demanded that the police ensure that the demonstration could proceed as planned, protect the safety of its participants, and prevent others from interfering in the demonstration. 

The court rejected the petition on the grounds that the law is clear, and that "this court does not issue orders instructing state authorities 'to act in accordance with the law.'" The judges referred to a previous ruling made in response to a petition brought by ACRI, and to the directive of the police legal advisor according to which the police have authority to prevent the display of signs due to their content. The demonstration took place as planned and without incident. 

HCJ 78425-05-25 Standing Together v. Coastal District Commander, Israel Police 

Attorney: Oded Feller  

ACRI's petition, May 29, 2025 (Heb) 

The ruling, May 29, 2025 (Heb)