Khalifa and Jabarin appeal in the case of chants at the Umm al-Fahm demonstration against the war on Gaza
The Haifa District Court on Monday heard the appeal of activists Muhammad Taher Jabarin and Ahmed Khalifa against their conviction over chants at a demonstration in Umm al-Fahm on October 19, 2023, against the war on Gaza. The defense demands the conviction be overturned, arguing that the prosecution did not provide evidence of incitement to terrorism.
The legal confrontation in the case of chants at the Umm al-Fahm demonstration against the war on Gaza continues, moving to the appeal stage. The Haifa District Court on Monday heard the appeal filed by activists Muhammad Taher Jabarin and Ahmed Khalifa against the decision to convict them and the penalties imposed, over chants made during a protest demonstration in the city of Umm al-Fahm on October 19, 2023. The defense team demands the conviction and sentences be overturned, arguing that the prosecution did not provide evidence proving the chants constitute incitement to terrorism. The case raises the issue of selectivity in applying the law against Palestinian protesters, and infringement on freedom of expression and the right to protest, as well as challenging the constitutionality of the legal articles on which the conviction was based. Attorney Hadeel Abu Saleh from Adalah Center told Arab48 that the hearing is part of judicial deliberations, and the defense team emphasized the lack of the necessary legal elements to prove the charge, and stressed the legality of the slogans and chants made during the demonstration.