Court overturns injunction against int'l gambling websites
Judge declared police injunctions against access to leading gambling websites are illegal, to be annuled
In August, Israeli internet providers started to block access to several popular on-line gambling websites including Victor Chandler and Stan James following a police injunction. The decision raised complaints among web surfers and lawyers, but the providers obeyed the injunction, and did not launch legal proceedings.
The Israeli Internet Association appealed to the Administrative Court, arguing that the injunction is violating basic rights including freedom of speech and freedom of information.
Judge Michal Rubinstein ruled in favor of the appeal Monday and annulled the controversial injunctions.
In a detailed verdict, that could serve as a precedent in future rulings, Court Vice President Justice Rubinstein reaffirmed many of the petitioners' arguments.
Rubinstein declared that blocking websites, even ones of dubious nature, is damaging to the freedom of speech. Rubinstein wrote that the content of these websites is of low social value, and may promote borderline criminal activities.
However, even if blocking them is for an appropriate purpose, the expression itself is protected by basic rights.
In addition to annulling the injunctions, the judge required the police to pay the petitioners 20,000 NIS trial expenses.
