Communist Party of Israel and Hadash offices raided ahead of May Day

“Money for welfare, not for war” in Hebrew and Arabic – YCLI members at the demonstration held today in Nazareth (Photo: Zo Haderekh via the CPI)

Various Sources

The offices of the Communist Party of Israel (CPI) and its allied Hadash party were raided by police in multiple locations, including Nazareth, Umm al-Fahm, and Haifa, in late April, shortly before planned May Day rallies. In some cases, police confiscated flags, including Palestinian flags, and arrested several activists involved in preparations for the demonstrations.

The May Day events were organized as general anti-war and anti-government rallies, and went ahead drawing thousands of participants, including both Jewish and Arab citizens, demonstrating against war policies and right-wing governance.

According to the CPI:

Thousands marched today (Saturday) in Nazareth, and yesterday in central Tel Aviv, against the war and against the right-wing government, as part of the May Day demonstrations organized by Hadash, Communist Party of Israel (CPI and Young Communist League of Israel (YCLI). In Nazareth, thousands of Jews and Arabs marched from Tawfiq Zayad Street to Mary’s Well Square in the city center, where a rally featuring political speeches was held. Many young people stood out among the marchers, shouting slogans against capitalist exploitation, fascism, war, and the occupation, while waving red flags and banners in Arabic and Hebrew. Additionally, three marching bands from the Young Communist League of Israel (YCLI) participated in the procession.

Khitam Wa’ed, Chair of the Hadash faction in Na’amat – The Women’s Movement of the Histadrut spoke at one of the rallies saying, "We are here, thousands of Arabs and Jews together, with a clear message against the occupation and capitalism, and for the right of all peoples in the region to freedom and self-determination.”

The actions by authorities were described by party officials as disruptive to peaceful political assembly and civic expression, and local reports noted heavy police presence during these interventions.

Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif appealed to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, demanding an immediate investigation into the incident. “The very act of raiding the club of a legal party on the eve of a legal protest march has a significant chilling effect on freedom of expression and association,” he said further adding that “the confiscation of Palestinian flags is an arbitrary action with no legal basis, given that displaying the flag is completely legal.”