We decided to take legal action against the Kfar Saba Municipality

09/05/16

The Kfar Saba Municipality took down our billboard, which was funded by small contributions by dozens of our members. Now those same members and hundreds more have collectively decided to file a lawsuit against the Kfar Saba Municipality for violating their freedom of speech.

At the start of May, billboards calling for an end to segregation between Arab and Jewish women in maternity wards went up near Meir Hospital. Physicians for Human Rights joined us in sponsoring the billboards, which also went up near Hadassah Ein Kerem and Shaare Zedek in Jerusalem – two other hospitals that reportedly separate Arab and Jewish women in maternity wards. But something out of the ordinary happened in Kfar Saba: The city instructed the ad agency to take down the billboard on the baseless claim that it is offensive and as a result of numerous complaints filed by citizens, Jews and Arabs (!) It should be noted that the city has refused to disclose the complaints, despite an official request by members of the city council.

The idea behind the billboard was to amplify voices of the general public who oppose segregation – to make sure the stage wasn’t conceded to radicals like MK Smotrich. The only way for us to influence the boundaries of the debate – define what is legitimate and what isn’t - is to fight for our place in it. The Kfar Saba Municipality’s decision is painful evidence of how necessary this struggle is.

We conducted a survey to decide how to proceed and the responses were unequivocal, with 93 percent in favor: We are going to take legal action against the Kfar Saba Municipality. Together we will send a clear message: You will not silence us. We will continue to oppose segregation and racism and advocate for freedom of speech.

Our attorney sent a letter before action to Kfar Saba’s mayor. You can read the letter here. We will continue to update with developments. If you haven’t signed our petition against segregation addressed to the hospital directors – sign now.