Report finds increasing attempts to silence protesters in Israel, West Bank

[Violet_Crumble]

Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are under attack, according to Association for Civil Rights in Israel.

In its annual assessment of human rights in Israel and the territories, scheduled for release today, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel points to increasing efforts to restrict freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

Among other issues, the State of Human Rights Report 2011 cites various means employed to silence participants in the social protest movement that began in the summer and claims that democratic debate in the country has been increasingly restricted in the face of the protest.

According to the report, some protesters were arrested and released only after promising "not to attend demonstrations in the near future," while others were summoned to conversations with police officers or Shin Bet security service agents, who warned them about the possible consequences of their behavior. The report's authors noted that despite regulations requiring police officers to wear a uniform with an identification badge at all times, increasingly officers confronted protesters without wearing badges and sometimes even with their faces concealed (for example, while dispersing a demonstration in Sheikh Jarrah, during the demolition of homes in al-Araqib and also in Lod, while serving eviction notices in Silwan and while evacuating Havat Gilad ). The authors point out that part of the reason for the obligation of police officers to identify themselves is to deter the abuse of authority.

According to ACRI, the Israeli authorities deprive Palestinians living in the territories of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly by declaring all demonstrations, even nonviolent ones, as illegal gatherings. As such they are dispersed by security forces using means such as tear gas, water jets, a sonic device known as "the scream" that emits an intolerably loud, high-pitched sound and "the skunk," with its payload of foul-smelling liquid, in addition to the use of force.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/report-finds-increasing-attempts-to-silence-protesters-in-israel-west-bank-1.399374

[Scurrilous]

1. Clinton concerned over Israeli democracy

US secretary of state voices deep concern over wave of anti-democratic legislation, particularly bill targeting leftist organizations; criticizes exclusion of women from public life in Israel

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4156562,00.html

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"US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced deep concern on Saturday over a wave of anti-democratic legislation in Israel and in particular a bill proposing to limit donations to human rights organizations. Clinton also criticized the growing exclusion of women from Israel's public life.

In a closed session at the Saban Forum attended both by Israeli and American decision-makers Clinton addressed the issue of discrimination against Israeli women. She expressed concern for Israel's social climate in the wake of limitations on female public singing and gender segregation on public transport.

Among the Israeli representatives taking part in the forum were Minister Dan Meridor, Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni, former Mossad chief Meir Dagan and former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi.

Clinton, a longtime advocate for women's rights, noted she was shocked at the fact that some Jerusalem buses have assigned separate seating areas for women. "It's reminiscent of Rosa Parks," she said, referring to the black American woman who refused to give up her seat to white passengers in the 1950s."