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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happened?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n After a Dutch activist gave a speech at a Palestine solidarity rally in May 2021 in Amsterdam, he was reported to the police by a supporter of Israel for \u2018inciting hatred and violence against Jews\u2019 by shouting \u2018from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free\u2019 and expressing support for \u2018Palestinian resistance\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dutch public prosecutor, however, refused to prosecute the activist<\/strong>, saying that the pro-Palestinian slogans he used are \u2018are subject to various interpretations\u2019 rather than calls for illegal conduct. The prosecutor added that they found the expressions<\/strong> \u2018to relate to the state of Israel<\/strong> and possibly to people with Israeli citizenship, but do not relate to Jews <\/strong>because of their race or religion\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What was the role of the ELSC?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n After the prosecutor refused to prosecute the activist, the pro-Israel individual complained to the Amsterdam Court of Appeal against the prosecutor\u2019s decision. This is when the ELSC stepped in and helped the activist find a lawyer from our network, Willem Jebbink. We also provided an academic expert to assist the lawyer in writing a defence statement. After more than two years, on the 15th<\/sup> of August, the court confirmed that the activist had not committed a criminal offence<\/strong> when chanting the slogan \u2018From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free\u2019. The court\u2019s decision is final and cannot be appealed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why is this an important victory?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some European states have weaponised the events of October 7th, 2023, enforcing unprecedented levels of repression against the Palestine solidarity movement in Europe. We are witnessing extraordinary restrictions being imposed on virtually all expressions of solidarity: Palestinian flags<\/a> and kuffiyeh scarves<\/a> are being banned and protest rallies are being systematically prohibited<\/a>. The slogan \u2018from the river to the sea\u2019 is also increasingly being used as justification for repression<\/a> on the false premise that it incites violence against the Jewish people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The strategy behind portraying this slogan as antisemitic is to equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism and silence discussion around and advocacy for the Palestinian cause. \u2018From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free\u2019 holds incredible significance to all Palestinians because it reaffirms the right of return, the liberation of Palestine and freedom for the Palestinian people. It represents a political manifesto increasingly recognised around the world: justice for all Palestinians<\/a> in historic Palestine and in exile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In view of Professor Marc Lamont Hill<\/a>\u2019s dismissal from U.S.-based news network CNN for expressing this very slogan, as well as the prosecution of several activists in Germany for chanting it, which is prohibited under a very limited reading<\/a> of its significance, we welcome the Dutch court’s decision to protect human rights and political freedoms over Western states\u2019 interests in repressing solidarity! <\/p>\n\n\n\n With our help, this activist won this important legal battle. Both the public prosecutor and the court concluded that the slogan is not punishable and thus not worth prosecuting. This is a victory<\/strong> f<\/strong>or all Palestinians and Palestinian rights activists, especially in these times of unprecedented anti-Palestinian racism and repression.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Through collective action, we can succeed. This was only made possible thanks to your continuous support and deep dedication!\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n