Israel’s Military Orders Create Hostile Propaganda and Incitement in Occupied Territory
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Introduction
The Israeli military has implemented a system of authoritarian punishment that targets Palestinians for expressing their opinions or dissenting against the occupation. Two main categories of offense have been created: security offenses and public order offenses.
Security Offenses
According to experts, the intentionally vague definitions in these orders allow Israeli soldiers, prosecutors, and judges to punish Palestinians at their discretion. This has led to the criminalization of peaceful activities such as freedom of assembly, civic participation, and even political speech.
Military Order 101 (1967)
- Criminalizes exercising freedom of assembly with ten years’ imprisonment for gatherings of ten or more persons that are deemed “political.”
- Targets forms of civic and political participation, including displaying symbols or slogans expressing sympathy for a “hostile organization.”
Public Order Offenses
Military Order 1651 (2009)
- Punishes membership in any group where other members commit specific offenses with life imprisonment. This is based on affiliation alone, without consideration of an individual’s actions or knowledge.
- Criminalizes providing information, shelter, or supplies to anyone suspected of planning to harm public order.
- Imposes a duty on Palestinians to denounce others who may be planning to commit an offense.
Additional Provisions
- Expressing sentiments against the occupation is considered an offense.
- “Offending” a soldier’s honor can result in one-year imprisonment.
- Throwing any object, including a stone, is punishable with ten years’ imprisonment.
Criticism and Consequences
These orders have been widely criticized by human rights organizations as a means of suppressing Palestinian dissent and stifling political expression. The Israeli military’s use of these orders has created a culture of fear among Palestinians, who are punished for exercising their fundamental rights.
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