ICSPR Warns Against the Continued Assault on Public Freedoms and Arbitrary Arrests of Political Activists in the West Bank
Date: 25 Feb 2025
Press Release
ICSPR Warns Against the Continued Assault on Public Freedoms and Arbitrary Arrests of Political Activists in the West Bank
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) is deeply concerned about the ongoing suppression of peaceful gatherings by Palestinian security forces. The latest incident involved the dispersal of a silent vigil at Al-Manara Square, held in conjunction with the funeral of Hezbollah’s Secretary-General. Security forces tore down and removed pictures of martyrs, assaulted participants, and detained a journalist.
Later, the security forces arrested Arij Awadwa for her participation in the aforementioned march. This comes amid the continued targeting and arrest of political activists across various cities in the West Bank. The latest such case occurred on February 20, 2025, when security forces arrested activist Hamza Zubeidat after raiding his home in Dheisheh Refugee Camp – Bethlehem, allegedly due to his social media posts. Sources reported that security officers assaulted him inside his home before arresting him.
It is worth mentioning that Zubeidat is a member of the Follow-up Committee of the 14 Million Popular Conference and had previously been arrested by security forces in 2021 after participating in a protest demanding accountability for the killers of activist Nizar Banat.
According to ICSPR’s monitoring and the report of the Follow-up Committee for Families of Detainees, violations by Palestinian security forces against public freedoms and freedom of expression have escalated. A total of 327 violations were recorded last year, including shootings that resulted in the deaths of several civilians. Additionally, the committee documented the arrest of 57 individuals wanted by the Israeli occupation by Palestinian security forces, in a serious violation of their fundamental rights.
Accordingly, ICSPR emphasizes the following:
- ICSPR calls for an end to crimes against personal and public freedoms and demands the immediate release of all political detainees. It also urges the Attorney General to launch a comprehensive investigation and hold all those responsible for these violations accountable before the competent judiciary.
- ICSPR calls on the Minister of Interior to issue immediate directives to stop assaults on peaceful gatherings and arbitrary arrests and to ensure that citizens are not subjected to violence by security personnel. These practices have severe repercussions on the rule of law and the protection of civil peace and social stability.
