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Israel Palestinians Crackdown on Dissent
Ahmed Khalefa, a Palestinian citizen of Israel who is charged with incitement to terrorism for demonstrating against the war in Gaza, is seen at home in Umm al-Fahm, Israel, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza

In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens

By SAM MCNEIL
Published - Nov 24, 2024, 12:18 AM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 05:14 PM EST

UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — Israel’s yearlong crackdown against Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza is prompting many to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society, while some still find ways to dissent — carefully.

Ahmed Khalefa's life turned upside down after he was charged with inciting terrorism for chanting in solidarity with Gaza at an anti-war protest in October 2023.

The lawyer and city counselor from central Israel says he spent three difficult months in jail followed by six months detained in an apartment. It's unclear when he'll get a final verdict on his guilt or innocence. Until then, he's forbidden from leaving his home from dusk to dawn.

Khalefa is one of more than 400 Palestinian citizens of Israel who, since the start of the war in Gaza, have been investigated by police for “incitement to terrorism” or “incitement to violence,” according to Adalah, a legal rights group for minorities. More than half of those investigated were also criminally charged or detained, Adalah said.

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