The town of Umm al-Fahm is on the front lines of the struggle against the genocide among the communities of Palestinians that hold Israeli citizenship, or ’48 Palestinians.
Since Israel’s genocidal attack began in October, a terror campaign has also been carried out against Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, including quashing any signs of solidarity with Gaza. Despite this repression, protests are starting again.
Since October 7, at least seven Palestinians have been held in administrative detention in ’48 Palestine, an unprecedented move being used to repress political expression.
In a new escalation, the homes of two Palestinians currently detained for protesting in Umm al-Fahm were attacked by a drive-by shooting. Activists suspect the Israeli government was involved.
The war on Gaza has provided an opportunity for the police, under ultra-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, to launch an all-out repression campaign against the Arab population, and any opposition to the slaughter of Palestinians.
Israel undermined the prisoner exchange with Hamas by widening the definition of “security prisoners” to include those held for little more than social media posts.
The prosecution of Palestinian protest in Israel vacillates between two poles: the messianic hardliners aiming to jail as many Palestinians as possible, and the “establishment” types trying to subtly balance their regime.
Israeli police are setting up roadblocks to catch “illegal” Palestinian workers and shutting down businesses that employ them. But this isn’t a new story, and the “Bread Prisoners” have always been forgotten.
The Israeli justice system has been marshalled to criminalize any expression of public protest in Palestinian communities in ’48 Palestine. This week, Palestinians from Umm al-Fahm and Haifa were on trial.
Tel Aviv police refused to allow a silent vigil for World Children’s Day saying the event could “cause serious harm to public security.” Police have used this same rationale to attack and detain peaceful protesters around the country.