Court rejects MK Rothman’s request for restraining orders against protesters

A judge ruled Sunday that MK Simcha Rothman of the far-right Religious Zionism party cannot demand restraining orders against 400 activists who he said were going to protest against him while he vacations this weekend.

Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court Judge Naeel Mohana initially shrank Rothman’s request from every member of a WhatsApp group dedicated to hounding him over the judicial overhaul — called “Searching for Rothman in the Golan Heights” — to just three specific activists.

But Mohana then also rejected the request to issue restraining orders against the trio, saying that the protest is legitimate speech and he saw no reason to curtail it.

However, the judge also suggested that protests against Rothman when his children are present be limited, to avoid their pictures being taken and distributed against their parents’ wishes.

Rothman, one of the architects of the government’s divisive judicial overhaul program, has had a number of run-ins with protesters, including a May incident in which snatched a megaphone from a protester marching behind him while walking in New York City.

In response to the judge’s ruling, Rothman said that he was “happy that the court found it correct to draw a clear line that differentiates between freedom of protest and the right to protest — which are very important — and harassment, bullying and harming the family of a public official.”

Rothman added that “even if I believe the line should be moved to a different place, the drawing of the line is very important.”

Protest organizers last week had invited like-minded activists in the area to protest Rothman’s visit to the Golan Heights, posting a link to the WhatsApp group in a social media post.

“Are you in the area? Let’s tell him that fascists like him that destroy democracy are not welcome anywhere! In the skies, on the land or in the sea, and don’t forget to pass on confirmation [of his location] so that we spread this shame to the masses,” they wrote.

Earlier this month, hundreds of protesters gathered near a moshav where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife were vacationing in the Golan Heights.

Police initially closed off all entry to the moshav, leading to complaints from residents as well as activists, with the latter submitting two petitions to the High Court against the move. Police later allowed the protesters to gather some 300 meters from the hotel where the couple was staying.