Ref: 120/2020
Date:09 November 2020
Time: 11:00 GMT
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the attack on Jawwal Gallery in northern Gaza Strip yesterday. The attackers used sound bombs, causing material damage to the company’s properties and inciting fear and panic among employees and clients, including women. PCHR stresses on citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression enshrined in national laws and international conventions; nonetheless, PCHR condemns the use of violence as a form of expression of protestors’ demands. PCHR is alarmed by this incident; yet, does not observe it in isolation from other incidents that have taken place recently that threatened citizens’ lives and properties.
According to PCHR’s investigations and a Jawwal executive’s statement, at approximately 11:30 on Sunday, 08 November 2020, about 50 persons gathered around Jawwal Gallery upon calls for gathering in front of the company’s office in Jabalia as part of an online campaign demanding lower prices for the company’s services. A police force was present in the area and interrupted the gathering of mostly young men and confiscated some provocative signs. The gathered group remained in front of the gallery, and the situation escalated as they started mouthing profanities against the company and its employees; the police arrested 4 young men. As the detainees were transferred into the police vehicle, a person threw a sound bomb that detonated by the gallery’s front door. The police proceeded with the arrest and took the detainees to the police station. Two other sound bombs were thrown at the gallery. The executive stated that he phoned corporate management and informed them of the situation. The gathered protestors threw shoes and eggs into the gallery while clients were present. Following that, a young man on a motorcycle parked in front of the gallery and made noise using his motorcycle; while others brought Jawwal company’s flag down to the ground and attempted to burn it.
A recorded video was spread on social media websites, showing a protestor driving his motorcycle and approaching the Jawwal Gallery as a sound bomb exploded by its front gate.
Jawwal issued a statement condemning this incident, and affirming that the gallery sustained severe material damage, and its staff’s safety and security were compromised.
Ayman al-Batniji, Spokesperson of the Palestinian Police in Gaza, announced that the police followed what happened in front of Jawwal’s office in northern Gaza Strip, and “legal measures were pursued against those who breached the boundaries of freedom of expression; concerned authorities continue to pursue legal course against others.”
PCHR reaffirms the public’s right to peaceful assembly; however, it condemns the use of violence as a medium for expressing their demands. PCHR calls for the Public Prosecution to carry out a serious investigation into this attack and stresses the urgency to intensify efforts to locate the attackers and take legal action against them. Also, PCHR emphasizes that it is imperative that the police adopt stringent measures to protect private properties and interests from assault.
