Adalah Petitions Supreme Court Against Police Ban on Palestinian Protest in Umm al-Fahem

Today, 11 January 2026, Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel filed a petition with the Israeli Supreme Court challenging the Israel Police’s decision to condition a protest against crime in Arab communities on obtaining police approval. The protest organized by the Popular Committee in Umm al-Fahem is scheduled for tomorrow, 12 January 2026, at 3:00 PM in Umm al-Fahem, a Palestinian city in northern Israel. The petition was submitted by Adalah Attorney Hadeel Abu Salih on behalf of the Committee’s Chair, Mr. Mohammad Khadr.

On 6 January 2026, the Popular Committee in Umm al-Fahem called for a protest against crime in Arab communities and the authorities’ use of administrative detentions. The protest was originally planned for 9 January, with participants intending to hold signs next to the street. On that day, a police officer from the Umm al-Fahem station informed a Committee member that, under the station commander’s orders, a permit was required and that holding the protest without it would be illegal.

On 7 January 2026, Adalah sent a letter to the Umm al-Fahem Police Station clarifying the purpose and format of the protest, which does not require a permit under Israeli law. After receiving no response, Attorney Abu Salih followed up by phone, explaining that the protest would not include speeches or a procession and therefore did not require a police permit. Despite this, the officer repeated that the Committee must apply for a permit or turn to the courts.

The petition argues that the police’s actions exceed their legal authority and attempt to censor legitimate political expression. “A person does not need a license from authorities to exercise their rights if no law requires it. Any demand by a public authority not supported by law is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unlawful, and must be annulled immediately,” the petition states.

The petition also places the police’s actions in a broader context, describing them as part of “a continuation of the racist policy of the Israel Police under the leadership of Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, aimed at restricting the protest rights of Arab citizens.”

Case citation: HCJ 27811-01-2 Muhammad Khadr v. Commander of Umm al-Fahem Police Station