Knesset again extends official state of emergency – in place since 1948 – for another year

The Israeli Knesset on 3 June 2020 again extended its official state of emergency – in place since 1948 – for another year.

The declaration of a national state of emergency, ostensibly intended for issues related to security concerns, is being used by the Israeli government when confronting civilian issues such as the COIVD-19 pandemic. In recent months, the Israeli government has taken advantage of this perpetual state of emergency to unanimously pass an unprecedented number of emergency regulations. Many of these regulations clearly violate the constitutional rights of all citizens and residents of Israel, and Adalah has filed a series of Supreme Court petitions against the government's conduct.

The ongoing emergency situation has cleared the way for the Israeli government's systematic violation of Palestinian rights. The sweeping powers granted to Israel's security forces have resulted in extreme violations of human rights – most notably: incarceration without trial. By the end of April 2020, Israel was holding at least 372 Palestinians in administrative detention, including three women and at least one minor, according to Btselem.

Adalah will continue to fight against Israel's perpetual state of emergency and its devastating impact on human rights.

(Thumbnail photo by Fred Csasznik/Wikimedia Commons)