Protestor placed under five-day house arrest over anti-Netanyahu sign

A 49-year-old Haifa resident with no criminal record was sentenced to five days of house arrest and a 15-day ban from Horev Square after protesting with a sign bearing Netanyahu's image and the caption "Hamas funder" alongside a Hamas flag and rifle. Police claim suspicion of public order disturbance; his lawyer appealed, and the Magistrate's Court will hear the appeal.

A 49-year-old Haifa resident with no criminal record was placed under five days of house arrest yesterday (Wednesday) and banned from Horev Square for 15 days, where he had been protesting. For about two weeks, the protester has held a sign featuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's image, alongside the caption "Hamas funder," and below it an image of a Hamas flag and a rifle. Police detained him after he raised the sign, citing suspicion of offenses and public order disturbance. Attorney Tomer Ben-Hamo, on behalf of the "Otef Atzurim" organization, filed an appeal against the police decision, and the Haifa Magistrate's Court will hear it today. The organization stated that this is a violation of freedom of expression, and that the police choose to investigate those who express an opinion instead of those who authorized the transfer of cash suitcases to Hamas. Police stated that they view freedom of expression as a fundamental right, but will act in cases of suspected offense or harm to public peace.