Civil and Political Rights

Respect for civil and political rights is a fundamental requirement of a legitimate democratic state. However, despite Israel's ratification of international covenants on civil and political rights such as the ICCPR, Israel systemically obstructs or denies these rights to Arab citizens.

Adalah's litigation activities include ensuring citizens' right to peaceful protest, including boycotts; defending Arab MKs against political persecution; challenging laws which violate freedom of expression and outlaw commemoration of the Nakba; and demanding accountability and investigation when the state employs violence against its own citizens, as it did in October 2000 with the murder of 13 Arab protesters.

Adalah has also been leading the legal campaign against the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Order) – 2003, which denies Palestinians living in the OPT who are married to Palestinian citizens of Israel the right to earn citizenship through family unification. This law is highly discriminatory, banning all Palestinians from family unification solely on the basis of national identity.

A complete list of cases is available here. To filter by specific topics, use the links above:

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Securing Right to Demonstrate for Arab Bedouin in the Naqab (Negev)

HCJ 971/05, Hussein al-Rafaya, et al., v. The Southern Chief Commander of the Police, et al.

Challenging Travel Ban Imposed on Literary Critic and Journalist Antwan Shalhat

HCJ 841/06, Antwan Shalhat et al. v. The Minister of the Interior

Freedom of Movement for Palestinian Citizens of Israel.

HCJ 1964/00, Mahmoud Mahameed, et. al. v. Moshe Ya'alon, IDF Chief Commander of the Central Division

Seeking Cancellation of the Cabinet's Discriminatory Decision to Prevent Family Unification for Palestinian Spouses of Israeli Citizens

HCJ 4608/02, Awad et al. v. The Prime Minister of Israel, et al.

Six-Month Foreign Travel Ban Imposed on Sheikh Ra'ed Salah is Unconstitutional.

HCJ 4706/02, Sheikh Ra'ed Salah, et. al. v. the Minister of Interior

Challenging Military Order Forcing Israeli Citizens Visiting the Gaza Strip to Remain There for Three Months.

HCJ 5076/04, Z. Housaini et al, v. IDF Major General, Southern Command

Demanding Cancellation of Extension of Nationality and Entry into Israel Law as it Contradicts the Court's Prior Decision.

HCJ 830/07, Tabeli et al. v. The Minister of the Interior, et al.

Removing Northern District Police Commander Alik Ron from his Post

HCJ 2431/01, Mohammad Zidan, Chairperson of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel, et. al. v. The Minister of Internal Security, et. al.

Demanding that the Commission Hold Open Hearings During Testimonies of GSS Witnesses

HCJ 950/02, The Committee of the Victim's Families (October 2000) v. The Commission of Inquiry

Request to Cancel Commission's Letters of Warning Against Arab Public Representatives

HCJ 6342/02, MK 'Abd al-Malek Dahamshe, et al. v. The Commission of Inquiry

Appeal Against Bereaved Father's Sentence

Criminal Appeal Permission 968/03, Abdel Menem Abu Saleh v. the State of Israel, unpublished decision.

Challenging Attorney General's Failure to Indict Police Who Shot and Killed 17-Year-Old Mahmoud Sadi.

HCJ 12000/04, Labiba Sadi and Adalah v. The Attorney General.

Demanding the Release of Summary Report into the Israeli Military's Killing of 31-year-old Meteb al-Nebari to his Family.

HCJ 2366/05, Atwa al-Nebari and Adalah v. IDF Chief of Staff, et. al.

Challenging Chief Military Prosecutor's Decision not to Indict Israeli Soldiers Responsible for Killing of Mr. Meteb al-Nebari

HCJ 10682/06, Ayman Atrash v. The Chief Military Prosecutor