Supreme Court Halts Commemoration of Deceased PFLP Leader
Today, 29 February 2008, the Supreme Court of Israel rejected a petition filed by Adalah in the name of Arab members of Knesset, political activists, and members of the Committee to Commemorate Dr. George Habash, the former leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), demanding the cancellation of the Chief of Police’s decision to prohibit the commemoration in Nazareth on the grounds that the PFLP is a terrorist organization.
Supreme Court Justices Gronis, Rubenstein and Elon rejected the petition stating that, “After we examined the classified material, we were convinced that there is enough evidence to justify the issuance of the prohibition order.”
Member of Knesset Muhammed Barakeh emphasized at the Supreme Court hearing that the PFLP did not organize the commemoration; he together with Arab civil society leaders organized it. He stressed that, “The interference of the police in the political life of the Arab citizens of Israel is illegal and harms the basic constitutional political rights and freedoms.”
Representing the petitioners, Adalah Attorney Orna Kohn argued that the prohibition order was issued based on incorrect information, and that there was no basis to issue it under the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance. Also Attorney Kohn emphasized that in order for the Chief of Police to use this authority, there must be a definite danger to the security of the state and in this case, that danger was not proven.
