ACRI has received reports indicating that soldiers in the West Bank are conducting random searches of Palestinians' mobile phones, including those of minors, without concrete suspicion or legal authorization. These searches occur on the street, at checkpoints, and during military raids on homes. In some instances, the soldiers erase documentation from the devices, particularly if it includes evidence of violence by soldiers. Additionally, Palestinians have reported that soldiers have mocked and used photos or messages found on their phones to humiliate them.
On April 17, 2024, ACRI sent legal correspondence to the Military Advocate General and the Commander of Central Command demanding an immediate halt to this practice. Attorney Roni Pelli argued that these searches are illegal, violating Israeli law, security regulations in the West Bank, and international law. She stressed that such searches constitute a severe infringement on the rights of residents to dignity, privacy, and due process, given the sensitive nature of the information on personal cellphones. ACRI has called for an order to cease these random searches and to ensure that soldiers are clearly instructed that such actions are prohibited without concrete suspicion.
Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) legal correspondence, April 17, 2024 (Hebrew)