Israeli police closed the office of the far-right Hadash party in Haifa on Monday, Israeli media reported.
The police then summoned the secretary of the Hadash branch in Haifa, Rim Hazan, to a hearing about the branch’s intention to hold a film screening. Jenin, Jenin 2 by Palestinian director Mohammad Bakri on this day.
In total, the offices were closed for ten hours, Walla said. The police explained: “The search is being carried out against the court’s order. There is suspicion of disturbing the peace.”
The proceeds were to be donated to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, N12 reported.
Quotes from the Palestinian filmmaker
“The Israeli people should be ashamed of their silence about the genocide,” N12 quoted filmmaker Bakri as saying. “Israel has long ceased to be a democracy. Since the extreme right came to power, we no longer live in a democracy. This government is extremist, and the best example of this is the fact that Ben-Gvir controls the police. So it did not surprise me.”
The Palestinian director explained that unlike his previous film, which contained controversial statements about the IDF, the new film “contains statements about people who experienced difficult times during Operation Home and Garden in July 2023. He also tells what Bakri went through in connection with the ban on the screening of the first film. Jenin, Jenin Film, the report said. The film will include new interviewees and those from the previous film.
N12 also quoted Shai Glick, CEO of the Jewish human rights organization Bezelmo, as saying: “There is no place in Israel for films made by liars and instigators. I thank the Israeli police and the municipality of Haifa for their determination against those who seek to harm the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces. We will continue to fight against Bakri and his accomplices.”
A post published by the Hadash Ta’al party said: “We view this investigation as a fascist attempt to spread fear. This is an attack on what remains of democratic freedoms in Israel, including freedom of association and political activity. This dangerous step follows a series of police raids on our local chapters and a wave of arrests of members of the leadership of Hadash and the Communist Youth Alliance.”
“We will continue on our political path and oppose the war and government policies,” they continued. “We call on all democratic forces in Israel to oppose these fascist methods that are ultimately used against all critics of the government.”
Hadash MK Ofer Cassif referred to the closure of the offices and the ban on the film by the “militia of the Kahanist Tsar”.
“Censorship and political persecution, threats and attempts to silence the voice of truth will not deter us. We will resist the government’s crimes with all our might until we can throw them to the wind. Wake up and resist, because you are next!”
