The recent ruling by an Israeli court against a Palestinian activist is absurd and unacceptable. A military court convicted Abdullah Abu Rahmeh of incitement and demonstrating illegally after he carried out peaceful protests against the separation wall Israel is constructing around the West Bank. The activist has been in prison since December.
Baroness Ashton, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, has criticised the ruling, expressing her deep concern that Abu Rahmeh's possible sentence would "prevent him and other Palestinians from exercising their legitimate right to protest against the separation barriers in a non-violent manner".
This is an important stance taken by the EU official and is welcome. It should be followed by pressuring Israel for action. This is being said given that the means chosen by the activist in this case is non-violent and hence, should be fully supported and encouraged rather than being punished.
