This webinar explores findings from ELSC’s new report on how counterterrorism frameworks are increasingly used to silence political organising, restrict civil liberties, and suppress voices opposing Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians.
On 28 May 2025, Hakima took her neighbour Hichem to the airport for the latter’s holiday. In the Kiss & Ride zone, they were stopped by multiple border police officers (officers of the Koninklijke Marechaussee), who questioned both Hakima and Hichem about the sign Hakima had in her car. Their IDs were seized, the officers registered the contents of the car, and one of them reported this to a colleague over the phone. All in all, they were held for almost an hour.
The Dutch government has proposed a new bill primarily aimed at suppressing opposition to its complicity in the genocide in Gaza. The law proposal, submitted by the (outgoing) cabinet, would criminalise the so-called “glorification of terrorism” and “public support for terrorist organisations”. The bill deliberately lacks clear definitions of what would constitute a punishable offence, allowing it to be used to prosecute people who oppose government policy. Given the government’s unconditional support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza, even symbolic expressions of solidarity such as a watermelon could potentially be prosecuted as “glorification of terrorism” under this vague law.
Ten Palestinian and Dutch organisations will appeal a landmark case against the Dutch State on 3 September 2025 in The Hague. They demand an end to Dutch exports supporting Israel’s occupation and war crimes in Palestine, arguing the State fails to uphold international law and prevent genocide. Media are invited to attend the hearing.
Despite months of Zionist harassment, intimidation, and institutional neglect, TU Delft’s master’s course Architecture and Colonialism concludes with a student exhibition opening 6 May. Organised by BK Scholars for Palestine, the course exposed the colonial roots of architecture in Palestine and confronted the university’s complicity in Israeli war crimes—an effort met with smear campaigns and stalking of its Palestinian lead lecturer, Dr Nama’a Qudah.
In March 2025, ELSC defended students’ protest rights in the UK, challenged workplace repression in Germany, and supported legal action in Italy and beyond. From major court rulings to FOI campaigns and new resources for activists, this issue highlights key wins and ways to keep mobilising for Palestinian rights across Europe.
In a single night of attacks last week Tuesday, more than 400 Palestinians were killed as Israeli air raids struck residential areas while people slept, intensifying the systematic destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and civilian lives.
In February 2025, ELSC secured a final victory in the Speakap discrimination case, challenged anti-Palestinian repression in Germany and Austria, and spotlighted student rights in Britain. This issue also covers urgent updates on state repression, solidarity events, media coverage, and new resources to defend Palestine advocacy across Europe.
This press release is available in English, Dutch, and Arabic. Scroll down for different language versions. AMSTERDAM, 12 FEBRUARY 2025 – Palestinian employee Nouraldin Alsweirki has won a landmark legal victory over his former employer, Dutch software company Speakap B.V., which fired him in October 2023 over LinkedIn posts in which he supported the right…
Joint Press Release The Hague, 7 February 2025 On 12 February, Ismail Ziada, a Dutch-Palestinian citizen, will submit a response to the Dutch government at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), challenging the Netherlands’ decision to grant immunity to Israeli officials accused of war crimes. Ziada contends that this ruling denied his fundamental right to…
In January 2025, ELSC launched major legal actions across Europe, including a corporate complaint against Axel Springer and new evidence against Booking.com. From legal wins in Milan to school repression in Berlin, we continue defending the Palestine solidarity movement. Read the latest updates, resources, and how you can join the fight.
Civil society groups submit new evidence in their case against Booking.com, exposing its role in laundering profits from illegal Israeli settlements. The company’s expansion deepens displacement, violating international law. Urgent intervention is needed.
In November 2024, ELSC secured key legal victories, including Dana Abu Qamar’s tribunal win and Shahd Abusalama’s settlement. We advanced our genocide case against the Dutch state and supported student protests and legal action in Germany and Italy. Read about our community events, legal updates, and vital resources for organisers.
Joint press release – Amsterdam, 13 December 2024 Today, the District Court of The Hague delivered its ruling in the lawsuit filed by a coalition of Palestinian and Dutch civil society organisations against the Dutch State. The case called for the enforcement of measures to align Dutch policies with international law, particularly regarding arms exports…
We at the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) stand in solidarity with the people in Amsterdam standing up against the genocide perpetrators, supporters, and vicious police force unleashed on our streets over the past weeks.
In October 2024, ELSC filed a major lawsuit against the Dutch state for complicity in genocide, secured a legal win for Dr. Shahd Abusalama, and supported protests and repression cases across Europe. Read about our legal updates, solidarity actions, student wins, and how you can support the fight for Palestinian justice.
A coalition of Palestinian and Dutch civil society organisations are suing the Dutch state for failing to prevent genocide in Gaza and other Israeli violations of international law. The coalition’s main requests to the Dutch civil court include a ban on the export and transit of weapons, weapon parts, and dual-use items to Israel as…
Dear Friend, In the past month, we’ve fought some crucial battles and secured a number of legal victories, which we bring to you in this month’s newsletter, along with some useful resources to continue mobilising for Palestine. CASE UPDATES BDS Austria: we’re going to the Supreme Court! Do you remember our case supporting BDS Austria against…
ELSC seeks a qualified Dutch lawyer to support the Palestine solidarity movement through legal advice, research, and strategic litigation. Based in Amsterdam, this full-time role involves defending fundamental freedoms, protest rights, and civic space, working closely with clients, partners, and Dutch legal networks. Apply by 7 October 2024.
ELSC is hiring an Advocacy Officer to support public outreach on strategic litigation cases, including defunding, de-risking, and corporate complicity. Based in Europe, this role involves campaign building, media work, and coalition engagement for Palestinian rights. Full-time with flexible working. Apply by 1 October 2024.
In August 2024, ELSC supported landmark legal victories against repression—from fighting criminalisation of slogans in Germany to defending students and lecturers in the UK. This newsletter includes major case updates, strategic wins, and tools to push back against silencing tactics. Explore new resources and learn how to support ongoing legal actions.
In July 2024, ELSC celebrated key victories in the Netherlands, Britain, and across Europe—supporting students, workers, and activists facing repression. This newsletter highlights legal wins, updates on strategic cases, new resources for the movement, and events from Berlin to Milan. Stay informed and mobilised for Palestinian rights.
ELSC is hiring an Advocacy & Communication Officer in Amsterdam to lead outreach on legal cases in the Netherlands and Europe. The role includes campaign-building, coalition work, and media engagement on strategic litigation and de-risking cases. Bilingual in Dutch and English required. Apply by 18 July 2024. Interviews ongoing.
PRESS RELEASE – DUTCH BELOW Amsterdam, 18 June 2024 On June 11, 2024, the Human Rights Board, a state-sanctioned institution in the Netherlands that rules on discrimination cases, ruled that Dutch software company Speakap B.V. discriminated on the basis of political affiliation when it fired N.A. for posts on LinkedIn condemning Israel for committing genocide and…
Access the website here: https://academiccomplicity.nl DUTCH VERSION BELOW Joint Press Release by European Legal Support Center (ELSC), Stop Arms Trade, Solid Sustainability Research, The Rights Forum – Amsterdam, 7 June 2024 Relations with Israel’s military-industrial complex and Israeli human rights violations underline demands from actions at universities Today, civil society organisations Stop Arms Trade, European…
DUTCH VERSION BELOW Joint Press Release by European Legal Support Center (ELSC), Stop Arms Trade, Solid Sustainability Research, The Rights Forum – Amsterdam, 7 June 2024 Relations with Israel’s military-industrial complex and Israeli human rights violations underline demands from actions at universities Today, civil society organisations Stop Arms Trade, European Legal Support Center (ELSC) and…
Press release – 23 May 2024, Amsterdam DUTCH VERSION BELOW & ARABIC VERSION HERE The European Legal Support Center (ELSC), Al-Haq, SOMO and The Rights Forum have filed a criminal complaint to the Dutch Public Prosecution Service to hold Booking.com to account for profiting from the commission of war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory…
DUTCH BELOW 1. What is the criminal complaint about? The criminal complaint that the ELSC, Al-Haq, SOMO, and The Rights Forum filed is about Booking.com’s involvement in illegal Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT). Our research shows that Booking.com profits from facilitating the rental of vacation homes built on land stolen from…
In response to growing protests for Palestine across the Netherlands, ELSC created a protest rights toolkit in English, Dutch, and Arabic. Learn your rights and stay protected.
The ELSC stands in solidarity with, and endorses the principled demands of, student protestors in Europe to disclose, divest and cut all ties with Israeli universities, corporations and all those complicit in the state of Israel’s crimes of genocide, colonisation, occupation and apartheid against Palestinians. We have seen among the most extreme police violence against…
Dear Friend, In the past weeks and months, we have joined forces with many of you who are mobilising tirelessly for an end to Israel’s heinous crimes against Gaza. In the first 2 months of 2024 alone, we’ve fought some crucial battles and secured a number of victories for the movement – which we bring to you…
ELSC is hiring a Finance Manager and an Administration Officer to support our growing team. These roles are vital to managing finances, fundraising operations, and recruitment processes. Ideal candidates are organised, proactive, and people-focused. Join us in building legal support for Palestinian rights. Apply by 12 February 2024.
Amsterdam, January 22, 2024 The Justice and Accountability for Palestine Initiative has issued a stark warning to European public officials of the Austrian, French, German and Dutch governments that they could be individually liable for their role in aiding and abetting Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of Genocide through their involvement…
At a time when expressions of support for the Palestinian cause are facing criminalisation at utterly unprecedented levels across Europe, we draw attention to the Dutch court ruling: “From the river to the sea” fully legitimate!
Bringing you relevant updates on the defence of Palestinian rights advocacy in Europe.
Bringing you relevant updates on the defence of Palestinian rights advocacy in Europe.
The ELSC is seeking a Chief Legal Officer based in Amsterdam to oversee the legal team on all cases and projects emanating (mainly) from Germany, The Netherlands and the UK.
This month, at least three cases confirmed, again, that public pressure and collective support, sometimes coupled with litigation, constitute a great tool to achieve our rights as advocates for Palestinian rights!
After the Israeli army violently raided and closed seven prominent Palestinian human rights organisations last Thursday, this weekend it threatened the director of Al Haq (Shawan Jabarin) by telephone and detained the director of Defense for Children International – Palestine (Khaled Quzmar) several hours for questioning. This escalation proves once again that statements by European governments expressing serious concerns are insufficient. This, together with the killing of critical journalists and other Palestinian civilians with impunity, has reached the point where the international community must set a clear boundary. This is the limit, according to a broad representation of Dutch organisations.
This month, at least three cases confirmed, again, that public pressure and collective support, sometimes coupled with litigation, constitute a great tool to achieve our rights as advocates for Palestinian rights!
The ELSC will join the in-person panel organised by Leonhard-Woltjer Foundation & and Een Ander Joods Geluid (A Different Jewish Voice) on “How Israel lobbies make it harder to speak up against Israel’s policies”, in Amsterdam.
This month, we achieved an important victory as a German court ruled in favour of scholar Dr. Anna Younes in digital surveillance case.
This month was marked by Women’s Rights Day as well as the Israeli Apartheid Week, where many students and activists organised events and protests to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and raise awareness about the Israeli apartheid. This week was not free from censorship, especially on campus, as shown by an incident in The Netherlands. We also share updates from the European Citizens’ Initiative Campaign as well as news from Germany, Austria, and a vacancy to work with us in the UK!
This month, we share with you some victories from the UK and Switzerland, an important analysis on German case law in favour of BDS, updates on the cases of BT3P and BDS Austria, new cases of repression in Germany and The Netherlands, and a landmark European Citizens Initiative.
The student activist group, Free Palestine Maastricht, dedicated to building solidarity and awareness on the Palestinian cause is targeted in an escalating unfounded smear campaign initiated by a student at Maastricht University. The ELSC has been providing the group with legal support. In the statement below, Free Palestine Maastricht asserts its right to advocate for Palestinian rights and calls upon Maastricht University to protect students’ fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
Dear friend, This month we share with you our 2021 achievements in pushing back against silencing Palestinian rights advocacy, a campaign in support of an activist of BDS Austria sued over a Facebook post, updates on the repression of Palestinian civil society, an important ruling in Germany on the illegality of anti-BDS motion, and unfounded…
Along with 59 other civil society organisations from all around the world, we asked the Dutch government to resume its funding for UAWC and to reject Israel’s designation of Palestinian NGOs. Indeed, the Dutch decision to cut funding was baseless, and the Dutch government also failed to reject the Israeli designation whereas it was recognised as unsubstantiated.
The Charity and Security Network published a briefing paper on the Dutch government’s decision to cut funding for UAWC, with recommendations for Donors Seeking to Support Palestinian Civil Society.
strongly condemn the decision of the Dutch government to end its funding to the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC).
Dear friend, This month we share with you important updates on challenging Israel’s attack on Palestinian civil society and the repression of Palestinian rights advocacy in Europe including in the Netherlands and the UK, a webinar, op-eds, and other news and resources. On the 29th of November, which marked the International Day of Solidarity with the…
In partnership with DocP-BDS Nederland, the ELSC is organising an online workshop on “Defending and Empowering Student Activism on Palestine” addressed to students in The Netherlands, on the 2nd of December 2021 from 5:30 – 7:30 CET.
The ELSC released a new leaflet addressing 10 situations in which our team can defend the right to advocate for Palestinian rights.
This month we share with you news on our work to push back against the criminalisation of Palestinian civil society by Israel as well as our new report on shrinking space and Palestinian rights advocacy in the Netherlands. We also share good news from the UK where the authorities rejected unfounded allegations by a lawfare group, updates from the BT3P team who challenged the German Parliament in Court, and new job and traineeship opportunities with the ELSC.
Today, the ELSC joined 31 Dutch organisations to call the Dutch governement to condemn the recent allegations against six prominent Palestinian NGOs.
The ELSC launches its Movement Lawyering Traineeship that aims to educate the next generation of human rights lawyers and advocates by rooting their legal training, experience and practice in the Palestine solidarity movement.
We are seeking a Development Officer to lead fundraising and administrative work, including management of human resources and strategic planning.
Today, the European Legal Support Center (ELSC), an organisation that monitors incidents of repression against Palestinian rights advocates in Europe and provides them with legal support, published a report on chilling Palestinian rights advocacy in the Netherlands. The report, which is the first of its kind ever published, highlights the many attempts to stifle activism, human rights work, artistic activities or simple political expression on Israel and the Palestinian people.
This month we share with you updates on our work protecting students and Palestinian advocates in the UK, a new report on European financial support for companies involved in the Israeli settlement enterprise, exciting news on the BT3P case challenging the German Bundestag, an important step challenging EU trade with occupied territories and a victory for academic freedom for an international legal scholar.
The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) has, for the first time, documented attempts to suppress advocacy for Palestinian rights in the Netherlands. The report reveals how unfounded allegations of antisemitism and support for terrorism are used to silence human rights activists, academics, and civil society organisations.
We are seeking a part-time Project Officer to lead our work in the Netherlands.
Our 2020 Year-in-Review provides an overview our work, achievements and cases in the defence of Palestinian rights advocacy in Europe in 2020.
This month we share with you updates from our work around Europe. In Brussels, we sent a joint letter to the EU commission challenging the political instrumentalization of the controversial IHRA definition, in the UK we assisted students and academics to challenge repression when they speak up in defence of Palestinian rights and we challenged…
We are presently seeking a legal intern for our Netherlands project work. The position will be based at the ELSC office in Amsterdam.
This month we once again witnessed the brutal bombardment of Gaza and violent commission of human rights abuses by Israeli authorities and settlers. In a global response, communities worldwide rose in solidarity calling for freedom and justice in Palestine. Yet, this call was not without struggle as this month we share with you all too common stories of censorship and repression of Palestinian rights activists. We also share the news of a win in an EU court, part of the effort to stop trade with illegal settlements, as well as an update on the BT3P campaign challenging the German Bundestag’s anti-BDS motion.
This month, we have a few exciting victories for Palestinian rights advocacy. We recall an important success in The Netherlands, share with you a new report by Human Rights Watch detailing the crime of apartheid being committed by Israel against Palestinians, and report on the University of Toronto being censored for cancelling the employment of ELSC Advisory Board member Dr. Valentina Azarova for her human rights work.
In this month’s newsletter, we share with you the release of the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, welcome a new member to the ELSC advisory board and highlight our 2021 work so far and how you can help to make this an important year for the protection of Palestinian rights advocacy in Europe. JERUSALEM DEFINITION ON…
You will find in it an overview of accomplishments in the ELSC’s first year on the main pillars of our program – Monitoring, Legal Defence and Empowerment of the movement for Palestinian rights. Read our 2019 Annual Report
