High Court: State is responsible for security at demonstrations

The High Court of Justice issued a precedent-setting ruling Tuesday that organizers of demonstrations aren't responsible for financing the necessary police, Magen David Adom Emergency Medical Services, and Fire Department presence at demonstrations.

The judges ruled that the police and Magen David Adom should bear the cost of upholding the security requirements of demonstrations, while the payment for the Fire Department should be covered by the budget of the local authority in which the demonstration is held.

"It is the duty of the state to allocate, within reason, the resources needed for upholding the freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate," wrote Supreme Court President (retired) Aharon Barak.

Barak's opinion was supported by justices Mirriam Naor and Elyakim Rubinstein.

The justices ruled that "the right to hold demonstrations and parades is an inseparable component of the right to free speech, and the central instrument for expressing opinions and placing social issues on the public agenda."

The petition was filed in March 2005 by Peace Now and the Mateh Harov (The Majority Headquarters) organization.