Israeli Police Close Hadash Office Over Film Screening

Israeli police temporarily closed the Haifa office of the left-wing Arab-Jewish coalition Hadash for ten hours due to plans to screen 'Jenin, Jenin II', a film about the Israeli military's actions in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Authorities erroneously claimed the film was banned by an Israeli court, when in fact the court had only prohibited the screening of Bakri's earlier film, 'Jenin, Jenin', released in 2002. Hadash Secretary Rim Hazan was initially arrested but later clarified that the screening was for the sequel, not the original film. Following this, police cited 'risk to public safety' after a campaign by right-wing activists sought to block the event. Hadash condemned the police action as a 'fascist' suppression of political activism, emphasizing their commitment to continue anti-war activities. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding political expression in Israel regarding the conflict in the West Bank.