A Month in Photos: Police violence, elections and the holy selfie

Editors’ picks of the top photos from Palestine, Israel and beyond for the month of January. This month, terror attacks in France and Tel Aviv, Bedouin citizens of Israel protest against police violence, Israel’s election campaign gets into full swing, Hezbollah attacks the Israeli army on the Lebanese border and snow falls on the West Bank.

Photos: Oren Ziv, Keren Manor, Yotam Ronen, Ahmad al-Bazz, Faiz Abu-Rmeleh, Tess Schaflan / Activestills.org

Edit: Anka Mirkin, Shiraz Grinbaum / Activestills.org

Palestinian women use their cell phone to photograph themselves outside Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's old city, January 9, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Palestinian women use their cell phone to take a selfie outside Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, January 9, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Relatives and members of the Jewish Ethiopian community protest during a march held in memory of Yosef Salamsa, January 4, 2015. Salamsa took his own life after alleged police harassment. This was the first day of a 2-day march from Binyamina town in the north of Israel to Jerusalem.
Relatives and members of the Jewish Ethiopian community protest during a march held in memory of Yosef Salamsa, January 4, 2015. Salamsa took his own life after alleged police harassment. This was the first day of a two-day march from the town of Binyamina, in Israel’s north, to Jerusalem.
A Palestinian worker, holding Israeli work permit, around a fire after crossing the Eyal checkpoint, Between the West Bank city of Qalqilya and Israel, January 4, 2015. Activestills.org
A Palestinian worker, holding Israeli work permit, around a fire after crossing the Eyal checkpoint, Between the West Bank city of Qalqilya and Israel, January 4, 2015. Activestills.org
Palestinian youth stand around a burning tire during the weekly protest against the occupation in the West Bank village of Kfar Qaddum, January 9, 2015. Activestills.org
Palestinian youth stand around a burning tire during the weekly protest against the occupation in the West Bank village of Kfar Qaddum, January 9, 2015. Activestills.org
Israeli activists protest against the harsh conditions in Holot Prison, after wardens at the facility prohibited the detainees from bringing in heaters in the dead of winter Tel Aviv January 10, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Israeli activists in Tel Aviv protest against harsh conditions in Holot Prison for African asylum seekers, after wardens at the facility prohibited the detainees from bringing in heaters in the dead of winter, January 10, 2015. After an emergency court petition, prison authorities promised to install heating in the detainees’ living quarters. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Youth march in downtown Boston, MA, on January 12, 2015. The march was organized as part of a series of actions responding to recent events in Ferguson, MO and around the USA of racial profiling and other mistreatment by police of people of colour. (photo: Activestills.org)
Youth march in downtown Boston, MA, on January 12, 2015. The march was organized as part of a series of actions responding to recent events in Ferguson, MO and around the U.S. of racial profiling and other mistreatment by police of people of color. (photo: Activestills.org)
Mourners carry placards bearing portraits of the dead as they gather at a cemetery in Jerusalem during the funeral of four Jews killed in an Islamist attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris last week, January 13, 2015. Crowds of mourners attended the funeral of Yohan Cohen, Philippe Braham, Francois-Michel Saada and Yoav Hattab after their bodies were flown to Israel from France. (photo: Activestills.org)
Mourners carry placards bearing portraits of the dead as they gather at a cemetery in Jerusalem during the funeral of four Jews killed in an Islamist terror attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris last week, January 13, 2015. Crowds of mourners attended the funeral of Yohan Cohen, Philippe Braham, Francois-Michel Saada and Yoav Hattab after their bodies were flown to Israel from France. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Ronen Shoval, a candidate of the Habeit Hayehudi Party, pleads with an LGTBQ activist to leave the room where he is trying to conduct an election conference, Tel Aviv University, Januay 12, 2015. The activists, alongside public housing activists, disrupted the conference in protest of the racist and discriminatory rhetoric expressed by members of the party. (photo: Activestills.org)
Ronen Shoval, founder of right-wing nationalist group Im Tirzu, and a candidate of the right-wing Jewish Home party, pleads with an LGTBQ activist to leave the room where he is trying to conduct an election conference, Tel Aviv University, January 12, 2015. The activists, together with public housing activists, disrupted the conference in protest of the racist and discriminatory rhetoric expressed by members of the party. (photo: Activestills.org)
Michael Ben Ari, leader of Otzma Yehudit nationalist party is accompanied by Benzi Gopstein, head of the nationalist group Lehava, to walk in Jerusalem's Mahane Yeuda market during an election campaign, January 16, 2015.(photo: Activestills.org)
Michael Ben-Ari, leader of Otzma Yehudit right-wing nationalist party is accompanied by Benzi Gopstein, head of the racist nationalist group Lehava whose members have been connected to violent attacks, walking through Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda Market during an election campaign event, January 16, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
A demolished house in a Bedouin Jahalin community, E1 area, West Bank, January 14, 2015. Israeli authorities demolished houses and structures in the E1 as part of plan to displace the Bedouin community in the area by force. (photo: Activestills.org)
A demolished house in a Bedouin Jahalin community, E1 area, West Bank, January 14, 2015. Israeli authorities demolished houses and structures in the E1 as part of plan to forcefully displace the Bedouin community in the area. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Ayman Odeh is seen minutes after he was elected to lead Hadash Party in the up-coming March 2015 elections, Nezereth, January 17, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Ayman Odeh is seen minutes after he was elected to lead Hadash Party in the up-coming March 2015 elections, Nazareth, January 17, 2015. Days later, four Arab parties, including Hadash, agreed to run on a joint slate, which Odeh will head. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Tear gas clouds cover the cemetery of Rahat as Israeli police that burst onto the premises during the funeral of Sami al-Jaar dispersed the participants, Negev Desert, January 18, 2015. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat last week. During the clashes that followed his funeral, Sami Ziadna, 42, suffocated to death from tear gas inhalation and twenty-two participants were injured. Southern district police commander admitted there was an agreement that no policemen were allowed to enter the cemetery during the funeral. (photo: Activestills.org)
Tear gas clouds cover the cemetery of Rahat as Israeli police attempt to break up protests following the funeral of Sami al-Ja’ar, Negev Desert, January 18, 2015. Sami al-Ja’ar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat last week. During the clashes that followed his funeral, Sami Ziadna, 42, died from tear gas inhalation and 22 participants were injured. Southern district police commander admitted there was an agreement that no policemen were allowed to enter the cemetery during the funeral. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
An injured man, who was shot in the face, sits on the ground in the cemetery of Rahat after Israeli police dispersed those attending the funeral of Sami al-Jaar, Negev Desert, January 18, 2015. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat last week. During the clashes that followed his funeral, Sami Ziadna, 42, suffocated to death from tear gas inhalation and twenty-two participants were injured. Southern district police commander admitted there was an agreement that no policemen were allowed to enter the cemetery during the funeral. (photo: Activestills.org)
An injured man who was struck  in the face with a projectile, sits on the ground in the cemetery of Rahat after Israeli police dispersed those attending the funeral of Sami al-Jaar, Negev Desert, January 18, 2015. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat last week. During the clashes that followed his funeral, Sami Ziadna, 42, died of tear gas inhalation and 22 participants were injured. Southern district police commander admitted there was an agreement that no policemen were allowed to enter the cemetery during the funeral. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Khaled, the father of Sami al-Jaar, sits in a mourning tent before his son's funeral, Negev Desert, January 18, 2015. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat last week. Thousands participated in his funeral, chanting slogans protesting the police's use of force against Arab citizens of Israel. (photo: Activestills.org)
Khaled, the father of Sami al-Ja’ar, sits in a mourning tent before his son’s funeral, Negev Desert, January 18, 2015. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat last week. Thousands participated in his funeral, chanting slogans protesting the police’s use of force against Arab citizens of Israel. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Talal Al-Krenawi, the mayor of the Bedouin town of Rahat, displays the ammunition used by the Israeli police during clashes yesterday, on January 19, 2015.  Sami Zayadna, 42, was killed during clashes that irrupted when a police car bursted into a closed area where the funeral of Sami al-Jaar was held the following day.  Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat the day before. Activestills.org
Talal Al-Krenawi, the mayor of the Bedouin town of Rahat, displays the ammunition used by the Israeli police during clashes yesterday, on January 19, 2015. Sami Zayadna, 42, was killed during clashes that irrupted when a police car bursted into a closed area where the funeral of Sami al-Jaar was held the following day. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat the day before. Activestills.org
Bedouins pray near the body of Sami Ziadna, 42, during his funeral in the southern Bedouin city of Rahat, on January 19, 2015. Sami Zayadna was killed during clashes that erupted when a police car burst into the area where the funeral of Sami al-Jaar was held. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat the day before. (photo: Activestills.org)
Bedouin men pray near the body of Sami Ziadna, 42, during his funeral in the southern Bedouin city of Rahat, on January 19, 2015. Sami Zayadna was killed during clashes that erupted when a police car burst into the area where the funeral of Sami al-Jaar was held. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat the day before. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Relatives of of Sami Ziadna, 42, mourn during his funeral in the southern Bedouin city of Rahat on January 19, 2015. Sami Zayadna was killed during clashes that erupted when a police car burst into the area where the funeral of Sami al-Jaar was held. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat the day before. (photo: Activestills.org)
Relatives of of Sami Ziadna, 42, mourn during his funeral in the southern Bedouin city of Rahat on January 19, 2015. Sami Zayadna was killed during clashes that erupted when a police car burst into the area where the funeral of Sami al-Jaar was held. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat the day before. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Bedouins take part in a march at the southern Bedouin city of Rahat, condemning the death of two residents of the town at the hands of the police, Negev Desert, January 20, 2015. The protesters marched from the house of al-Jaar family to Zayadna's house. Sami Zayadna was killed during clashes that erupted when a police car burst into the area where the funeral of Sami al-Jaar was held. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat the day before. Leaders of Arab citizens in Israel (1.7 million), declared a general strike in protest of recent events. (photo: Activestills.org)
Bedouin take part in a march at the southern city of Rahat, condemning the death of two residents of the town at the hands of the police, Negev Desert, January 20, 2015. The protesters marched from the house of al-Jaar family to Zayadna’s house. Sami Zayadna was killed during clashes that erupted when a police car burst into the area where the funeral of Sami al-Jaar was held. Sami al-Jaar, 22, was gunned down during a police drug raid in Rahat the day before. Leaders of Arab citizens in Israel (1.7 million people), declared a general strike in protest of recent events. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Israeli medics treat a Palestinian man on a gurney after he stabbed and wounded at least 10 passengers in an attack on a bus in Tel Aviv, January 21, 2015. The attacker struck in the morning rush hour in the center of Israel’s commercial capital before being shot by a passing prison service officer. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Israeli medics treat a victim of a stabbing attack on a bus in Tel Aviv that left at least 10 people wounded, January 21, 2015. The attacker, a Palestinian from the West Bank, struck in the morning rush hour in the center of Israel’s commercial capital before being shot by a passing prison service officer. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Right-wing activists taking part in the election campaign of Otzma Yehudit political party are countered by left-wing activists that came to protest the party's fascist and racist agenda, Tel-Aviv's Ha'Carmel market, January 23, 2015. Police pushed away the anti-fascist activists, separating between the two groups, allowing the right-wing activists to continue on their march. (photo: Activestills.org)
Right-wing activists taking part in the election campaign of Otzma Yehudit political party are countered by left-wing activists that came to protest what they termed the party’s fascist and racist agenda, Tel-Aviv’s Ha’Carmel market, January 23, 2015. Police pushed away the anti-fascist activists, separating the two groups, allowing the right-wing activists to continue on their march. (photo: Activestills.org)
Palestinians protest in solidarity with Malak Khatib, a 14-year-old Palestinians girl, who is imprisoned in Israel, Nablus, West Bank, January 27, 2015. Al-Khatib, from Beiteen village near Ramallah, was taken prisoner on December 31, 2014, and was subjected to interrogation and harsh treatment without legal representation. On January 22, she was sentenced to two months in prison and her family was fined 6,000 shekels ($1,523). At the end of 2014, there were 197 children imprisoned by Israel. (photo: Activestills.org)
Palestinians protest in solidarity with Malak Khatib, a 14-year-old Palestinian girl, who is imprisoned in Israel, Nablus, West Bank, January 27, 2015. Al-Khatib, from the Beiteen village near Ramallah, was arrested on December 31, 2014, and was subjected to interrogation and harsh treatment without legal representation. On January 22, she was sentenced to two months in prison and her family was fined NIS 6,000 ($1,523). At the end of 2014, there were 197 children imprisoned by Israel. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more on children under occupation here.
Israeli workers from Vaporjet factory in the southern city of Ofakim strike and protest outside the factory, Negev Desert, January 25, 2015. The workers are holding a strike for over a week now, calling on the management to improve their working conditions and salaries. (photo: Activestills.org)
Israeli workers from the Vaporjet factory in the southern city of Ofakim strike and protest outside the factory, Negev Desert, January 25, 2015. The workers have been striking for over a week now, calling on management to improve their working conditions and salaries. (photo: Activestills.org)
Israeli animal rights activists protest outside Hod Hefer Slaughterhouse, near the town of Hadera, demanding the closing of the facility, January 26, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Israeli animal rights activists protest outside Hod Hefer Slaughterhouse, near the town of Hadera, demanding the closure of the facility, January 26, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers stand next to a burned-out vehicle loaded onto the back of a truck in the outskirts of the divided village of Ghajar after it was removed from the seen of a Hezbollah missile attack along the Israel-Lebanon border, January 28, 2015. A Hezbollah missile attack killed two Israeli soldiers. Israel responded with air and ground strikes on southern Lebanon, killing a UN peacekeeper. (photo: Activestills.org)
Israeli soldiers stand next to a burned-out vehicle that has been loaded onto the back of a truck on the outskirts of the village of Ghajar, which is half in Israel and half in Lebanon. The vehicle is one of two that were hit by anti-tank missiles fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah, January 28, 2015. Israel responded with air and ground strikes on southern Lebanon, killing a UN peacekeeper. The attack came in retaliation for Israel’s assassination of a Hezbollah commander and an Iranian general in Syria a week earlier. (photo: Activestills.org) Read more here.
Palestinian scouts play music during a ceremony commemorating the birth of Prophet Mohammed, a holiday known in Arabic as Mawlid al-Nabawi, next to the Dome of the Rock in Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's old city, January 3, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Palestinian scouts march and play music during a ceremony commemorating the birth of Prophet Mohammed, a holiday known in Arabic as Mawlid al-Nabawi, next to the Dome of the Rock in Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem’s Old City, January 3, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Public housing activists protest in front of former Minister of Finance, Yair Lapid, for his part in the erosion of welfare infrastructure, January 28, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
Public housing activists in front of former Finance Minister Yair Lapid’s home, protesting his part in the erosion of welfare and social infrastructure in Israel, January 28, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org) For +972’s election coverage, click here.
A Palestinian girl plays during a snow storm, West Bank, on January 10, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)
A Palestinian girl plays during a snow storm, West Bank, on January 10, 2015. (photo: Activestills.org)