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Peacefully demonstrating is considered disrupting public order. Associating with a member of an illegal group is called supporting terrorism.
Dozens of other normal civic life activities are criminalized. Arrests often follow. So do abusive administrative detentions.
Victims can be held indefinitely uncharged. Due process is denied. Three Israeli laws authorize what demands condemnation:
- the Order Regarding Administrative Detention;
- the Emergency Powers Law for Israel; and
- the Internment of Unlawful Combatants Law.
Prolonged arbitrary detention breaches international law. Doing so is official Israeli policy. Hundreds of Palestinians are currently detained. Thousands were abused this way previously.
Commanders have discretionary authority. They may order anyone detained they say threatens public security with or without evidence. Their word is law.
Most detentions last six months. They can be arbitrarily extended repeatedly. Longterm uncharged incarcerations often follow.
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