Israel Railways security guards, backed by their employer, have been detaining protesters as they enter train stations in order to prevent them from boarding trains. These are people wearing t-shirts or carrying banners that identify them as protestors. Last month NIF flagship grantee the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) petitioned the Supreme Court, demanding that the Ministry of Transportation instruct these security guards to stop policing the protesters’ freedom of expression.

ACRI said in its petition that Israel Railways security guards do not have the authority to prevent people from entering stations or boarding trains because of what is written on their shirts. Everything that is permitted in public spaces is also allowed on the trains — including “political,” “provocative,” or “controversial” material.