Online Crackdown
Israeli authorities have conducted a sweeping crackdown on online activity, resulting in the arrest of more than 400 individuals, predominantly Palestinian Israelis.
This extensive operation targets those allegedly inciting or supporting Hamas in the aftermath of the group’s October 7 attack.
According to Adalah, the Legal Center for Arab Rights in Israel, approximately 190 of those arrested are still in custody as their legal proceedings continue.
Many of these detainees are reported to be held under harsh conditions within Israel’s penal system, as detailed by the Drop Site news site.
The crackdown has been facilitated by recent changes in Israeli law, which now permit police to initiate investigations into 524 social media posts without needing prior approval from prosecutors.
This development has significantly expanded the scope of surveillance and control over online expression, with data from the media watchdog Shomrim supporting these claims.
One notable case involves Yarmuk Zuabi, a restaurant owner from Nazareth. Zuabi was apprehended in October after altering his WhatsApp profile picture to a Palestinian flag and sharing a cartoon that criticized the global response to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Despite his release by the court, Zuabi expressed concerns about potential future repercussions. He described his situation as a form of silencing, reflecting broader fears within the Palestinian community about expressing dissent or solidarity online.
The Drop Site report highlights that by May, the state prosecutor had authorized police to investigate a total of 524 social media posts.
However, this figure may not fully capture the extent of the crackdown, as other investigations and prosecutions may not be officially documented.
Human rights organizations, including B’Tselem, have condemned the widespread abuses within Israel’s detention system. B’Tselem’s recent report, titled “Welcome to Hell,” provides disturbing accounts from both Israelis and Palestinians who have been detained for their social media activity.
One such account details the experience of I.A., a 20-year-old university student, who described her detention as deeply humiliating and degrading.
She reported being subjected to offensive treatment, including strip searches, underscoring the harsh conditions faced by those detained under the new legal provisions.
The ongoing crackdown and the treatment of detainees have sparked significant concern among human rights advocates, who argue that these actions reflect a broader pattern of repression and violation of civil liberties in Israel.
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