#Palestine 2017 report: Challenges to digital activism

The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media (7amleh) published its annual report on Palestinian digital activism in 2017 which investigates Internet accessibility and social media activities. Palestinians have launched different social media campaigns for social and political causes. Yet, the report argues that there have been threats to digital space for activism, and that Palestinians have been subject to actions limiting their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of information online. The report also lists several activities described as cracking down on digital space in 2017, such as the blocking of 29 websites, the approval of a cybercrime law that reportedly clamps down on opposition, and the arrests of citizens for their online activities. With the absence of adequate legal safeguards, the report reinforces the need to develop accountability mechanisms that allow Palestinians to report on such infringements.