On 19 March 2025, Jordanian authorities banned a peaceful protest planned near the US embassy in Amman. The pro-Palestine demonstration was organised by the informal group National Forum to Support Palestine Resistance. The protest had been properly notified to authorities in advance, but was nonetheless prohibited, marking a significant shift in the government’s response to ongoing pro-Palestine demonstrations. Since 7 October 2024, the group has organised dozens of similar rallies without incident, this is the first to be officially cancelled.
The ban suggests a potentially narrowing space for protest, particularly concerning sensitive topics. The ban raises concerns about the selective enforcement of Assembly Law No. 7 (2004), and Instructions Regulating Public Assemblies and Demonstrations (2011) and the potential chilling effect on civic activism and expression, especially regarding solidarity with Palestine.