In the case against Attorney Muhannad Karajah and the Lawyers for Justice group, the Ramallah Magistrate Court refers Article 150 of the applicable Penal Code No. (16) of 1960 to the Constitutional Court
A second hearing was convened on Monday, 20 April 2026, before the Ramallah Magistrate Court in the criminal proceedings against Attorney Muhannad Karajah and the Lawyers for Justice group, in relation to allegedly fabricated publications attributed to the Attorney and the group in late October of the previous year.
During the hearing, and in addressing the constitutional plea raised by counsel for the defense concerning the unconstitutionality of Article (150) of Penal Code No. (16) of 1960—pertaining to the offence of inciting sectarian strife, and its alleged incompatibility with Article (19) of the Palestinian Basic Law as well as relevant international conventions—the Court held that the plea raises a serious and substantive constitutional question. Specifically, it concerns the extent to which the aforementioned penal provision is consistent with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of opinion and expression.
Accordingly, the Court, being satisfied as to the seriousness of the constitutional plea, granted the defense the statutory period to duly file a constitutional challenge before the Constitutional Court. The Court further ordered the adjournment of the proceedings pending the filing and determination of the constitutional challenge by the competent Constitutional Court.
The Lawyers for Justice group considers the Court’s decision to constitute a positive development towards reassessing the approach adopted by the Public Prosecution and executive authorities in invoking the said penal provision to prosecute and detain activists and human rights defenders over recent years—practices that have affected hundreds of individuals.
In conclusion, the group underscores the significance of this decision at this juncture, particularly in light of the continued use of legal provisions by executive authorities as a means of restricting public freedoms.
The group further expresses its expectation that the Constitutional Court will be afforded full independence and adequate space to adjudicate the constitutional challenge without any interference or undue influence, in order to safeguard the legal and constitutional rights guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law.
Lawyers for Justice
Issued on: 20 April 2026
