NGO petitions High Court (JPost 19Aug)

The association for Civil Rights has petitioned to forbid the use of mounted police to control unruly crowds. This is unbelievably stupid. The danger to protesters is minimal even when they are committing a public nuisance or crimes by blocking traffic, defacing buildings or damaging property. The right to protest ends when protesters interfere with other people’s rights to go about their own business. There is a belief in Israel that protesting is sacrosanct. Regardless of how justified their cause may be, protesters are breaking the law when they inconvenience others, and prevent people from following their daily routine. The most useful tool the police have to maintain order in such cases is the use of mounted policemen. To forbid this would put unreasonable pressure on the police; force them to deploy more officers and still reduce their effectiveness. I sincerely hope that the Court rejects this foolish petition.