27 feb 2013
MADA center expresses concern for Sabaana’s life
Palestinian center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) expressed its concern for the life of Palestinian Cartoonist Mohamed Fayeq Sabaana, 34, demanding his release.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) detained Sabaana two weeks ago while returning from Jordan at Karameh border crossing.
He was transferred to Askalan prison Monday 25th February 2013, where he has not been allowed to see his lawyers nor family members since his detention ten days ago.
His Brother Adel Sabaana reported to MADA that they have no information on his brother’s condition, and he said, “We think he was detained for his cartoon drawings, he always traveled freely and never been detained”.
The Sabaana family appealed to all official institutions and local and international human rights to intervene rapidly to find out about Sabaana’s condition, visit him, and check on his well-being, following the murder of Palestinian detainee Arafat Jaradat (30 years old) in the Israeli Megiddo prison on 23rd of February 2013.
Sabaana is well known for his cartoon drawings that are critical of the practices of the occupation against the Palestinian citizens and are critical of the internal Palestinian situation and Palestinian social issues. He also won numerous local and Arab awards for his works. He also participated in international exhibitions, most recently at the British Atlantic University in the month of January 2013, the center said in its statement.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) detained Sabaana two weeks ago while returning from Jordan at Karameh border crossing.
He was transferred to Askalan prison Monday 25th February 2013, where he has not been allowed to see his lawyers nor family members since his detention ten days ago.
His Brother Adel Sabaana reported to MADA that they have no information on his brother’s condition, and he said, “We think he was detained for his cartoon drawings, he always traveled freely and never been detained”.
The Sabaana family appealed to all official institutions and local and international human rights to intervene rapidly to find out about Sabaana’s condition, visit him, and check on his well-being, following the murder of Palestinian detainee Arafat Jaradat (30 years old) in the Israeli Megiddo prison on 23rd of February 2013.
Sabaana is well known for his cartoon drawings that are critical of the practices of the occupation against the Palestinian citizens and are critical of the internal Palestinian situation and Palestinian social issues. He also won numerous local and Arab awards for his works. He also participated in international exhibitions, most recently at the British Atlantic University in the month of January 2013, the center said in its statement.
25 feb 2013
IOF soldiers round up 19 Palestinians including two sisters
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) rounded up 19 Palestinian citizens in the past 24 hours in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem including two sisters and a journalist.
Local sources said that IOF soldiers nabbed two young men in Burin village, south of Nablus city, at dawn Monday, and two university students in Zawiya village in Salfit province.
IOF soldiers also arrested a journalist in al-Khalil city, his father Abdulsamad Shawar said, adding that the soldiers broke into his home and searched it before taking away his son Musab who works with a local radio station.
IOF soldiers rounded up six Palestinian young men in Ein Yabrud village, north east of Ramallah, and a youth in Zabuba village in Jenin.
Local sources in occupied Jerusalem said that Israeli policemen stationed near to the Aqsa mosque arrested three Jerusalemites at dawn Monday.
Amjad Abu Asab, the head of the committee of relatives of Jerusalem prisoners, told the PIC that Israeli forces detained four Palestinians in Issawiye village, two brothers and two sisters.
Local sources said that IOF soldiers nabbed two young men in Burin village, south of Nablus city, at dawn Monday, and two university students in Zawiya village in Salfit province.
IOF soldiers also arrested a journalist in al-Khalil city, his father Abdulsamad Shawar said, adding that the soldiers broke into his home and searched it before taking away his son Musab who works with a local radio station.
IOF soldiers rounded up six Palestinian young men in Ein Yabrud village, north east of Ramallah, and a youth in Zabuba village in Jenin.
Local sources in occupied Jerusalem said that Israeli policemen stationed near to the Aqsa mosque arrested three Jerusalemites at dawn Monday.
Amjad Abu Asab, the head of the committee of relatives of Jerusalem prisoners, told the PIC that Israeli forces detained four Palestinians in Issawiye village, two brothers and two sisters.
23 feb 2013
FAJ calls for international intervention to stop Israeli attacks on journalists
Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ) called on all the international organizations involved in the defense of freedom of opinion and expression to intervene to halt Israeli flagrant and persistent abuses against Palestinian journalists.
The Federation called in a statement on Friday for the prosecution of the occupation forces for their crimes against the journalists "which are crimes against humanity and, as such, not subjected to statute of limitations."
The statement added: "In view of the occupation authorities’ dismal record, the FAJ urgently calls upon all Arab journalists and media professionals to contact their colleagues around the world in order to pressure Israeli authorities to release, immediately and unconditionally, the detained journalists."
It also warned that the Israeli authorities, through the occupation army and their numerous security bodies, continue repeated assaults against the Palestinian journalists and media professionals “in a grave escalation of the dangers they face and are likely to continue to face against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the occupied Palestinian territories”.
The Federation called in a statement on Friday for the prosecution of the occupation forces for their crimes against the journalists "which are crimes against humanity and, as such, not subjected to statute of limitations."
The statement added: "In view of the occupation authorities’ dismal record, the FAJ urgently calls upon all Arab journalists and media professionals to contact their colleagues around the world in order to pressure Israeli authorities to release, immediately and unconditionally, the detained journalists."
It also warned that the Israeli authorities, through the occupation army and their numerous security bodies, continue repeated assaults against the Palestinian journalists and media professionals “in a grave escalation of the dangers they face and are likely to continue to face against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the occupied Palestinian territories”.
20 feb 2013
IOA extends the cartoonist Mohammed Saba'na's arrest
Salem Military Court has extended the detention of Palestinian cartoonist Mohamed Fayek Abdul Ghani Saba'na, 34, from the town of Qabatiya in Jenin, to February 28, Palestine Center for Prisoners' Studies confirmed.
The lawyer Mustafa Azmouti told the Center that Salem military court extended the detention of cartoonist Saba'na under the pretext of providing services to hostile parties, noting that the occupation authorities are still preventing lawyers from visiting him.
The Centre indicated that the Palestinian cartoonist Mohammed Saba'na, who works in the Al-Hayat newspaper, was arrested by the occupation during his return from Jordan on Saturday, and took him to Jalama interrogation center, a few days before.
Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian journalists staged a sit in Ramallah on Wednesday morning outside Ofer prison in solidarity with their colleague the journalist Amer Abu Arafa, and in solidarity with the cartoonist and journalist Mohammed Saba'na.
The occupation forces tried to keep journalists away from the entrance to the prison by force but journalists insisted to support their colleagues in Israeli jails who numbered ten according to human rights institutions.
For its part, the Government Information Office's denounced the Israeli arbitrary decision to extend the administrative detention of the reporter of Shehab News Agency the journalist Amer Abu Arfa for another six months.
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (Mada) revealed that the occupation’s policy of detaining journalists has been going on for decades.
Mada said in its statement on Wednesday that Israeli occupation authorities carried out 27 cases of journalists’ arrest during the last two years.
"The persistence of the Israeli policy is a blatant violation of the law and the international conventions that ensured freedom of expression," the center added.
On a similar note, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) prevented three journalists yesterday from covering the IOF raiding of Aldoha town near Bethlehem.
Mousa Rimawi the general director of MADA center called on the international community for an immediate intervention, in order to force Israel to stop all attacks on journalists, which puts journalists’ lives in danger and prevents them from performing their professional duty.
The lawyer Mustafa Azmouti told the Center that Salem military court extended the detention of cartoonist Saba'na under the pretext of providing services to hostile parties, noting that the occupation authorities are still preventing lawyers from visiting him.
The Centre indicated that the Palestinian cartoonist Mohammed Saba'na, who works in the Al-Hayat newspaper, was arrested by the occupation during his return from Jordan on Saturday, and took him to Jalama interrogation center, a few days before.
Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian journalists staged a sit in Ramallah on Wednesday morning outside Ofer prison in solidarity with their colleague the journalist Amer Abu Arafa, and in solidarity with the cartoonist and journalist Mohammed Saba'na.
The occupation forces tried to keep journalists away from the entrance to the prison by force but journalists insisted to support their colleagues in Israeli jails who numbered ten according to human rights institutions.
For its part, the Government Information Office's denounced the Israeli arbitrary decision to extend the administrative detention of the reporter of Shehab News Agency the journalist Amer Abu Arfa for another six months.
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (Mada) revealed that the occupation’s policy of detaining journalists has been going on for decades.
Mada said in its statement on Wednesday that Israeli occupation authorities carried out 27 cases of journalists’ arrest during the last two years.
"The persistence of the Israeli policy is a blatant violation of the law and the international conventions that ensured freedom of expression," the center added.
On a similar note, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) prevented three journalists yesterday from covering the IOF raiding of Aldoha town near Bethlehem.
Mousa Rimawi the general director of MADA center called on the international community for an immediate intervention, in order to force Israel to stop all attacks on journalists, which puts journalists’ lives in danger and prevents them from performing their professional duty.
FPJ slams detention of three journalists in Bethlehem
The forum of Palestinian journalists (FPJ) strongly denounced the Israeli occupation forces for detaining three Palestinian journalists on Tuesday as they were doing their jobs in Bethlehem city.
In a press release, the forum said Israeli soldiers detained Mamdouh Hamamreh, a reporter for Al-Quds satellite channel, Samer Hamad, a cameraman for Palmedia news agency, and Abdul-Rahman Younos, a reporter for Al-Quds.com, during their presence on Al-Quds street in Bethlehem.
It added that the soldiers verbally assaulted the journalists and prevented them from taking pictures, noting that they were released later.
The forum stressed that such assault is part of Israel's systematic repressive campaign against the journalists, the latest of them was Mohamed Saba'na, who works as political caricaturist for Al-Hayat Al-Jadida newspaper.
Saba'na was kidnapped after his return from Jordan where he participated in a conference on caricatures.
The forum underlined that Israel's persistence in suppressing Palestinian journalists is due to the immunity provided for it by the international community which keeps silent on its violations against the freedom of the press.
In a press release, the forum said Israeli soldiers detained Mamdouh Hamamreh, a reporter for Al-Quds satellite channel, Samer Hamad, a cameraman for Palmedia news agency, and Abdul-Rahman Younos, a reporter for Al-Quds.com, during their presence on Al-Quds street in Bethlehem.
It added that the soldiers verbally assaulted the journalists and prevented them from taking pictures, noting that they were released later.
The forum stressed that such assault is part of Israel's systematic repressive campaign against the journalists, the latest of them was Mohamed Saba'na, who works as political caricaturist for Al-Hayat Al-Jadida newspaper.
Saba'na was kidnapped after his return from Jordan where he participated in a conference on caricatures.
The forum underlined that Israel's persistence in suppressing Palestinian journalists is due to the immunity provided for it by the international community which keeps silent on its violations against the freedom of the press.
15 feb 2013
IOF arrests Palestinian cartoonist
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested Palestinian cartoonist Mohammed Saba’na at the Karame border crossing between Jordan and the occupied West Bank on Saturday.
Thaer Saba’na, a specialist in prisoners’ affairs and brother of the detainee, told Quds Press that Mohammed was on his way back home after attending a conference for the Arab American University (AAU), where he works in the public relations department, in Amman.
He added that the Palestinian liaison office told the family that Mohammed was detained at the crossing and taken to an unknown detention center, describing his arrest as a surprise as he was never before detained by the IOF.
Mohammed, 32, works as a cartoonist for al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper in addition to his work at the AAU. He participated in numerous conferences and international exhibitions and won a number of local and international awards.
The Palestinian journalists syndicate denounced the arrest of Mohammed, who hails from Qabatiya village in Jenin, and asked for his immediate release.
The syndicate charged in a press release that Mohammed’s arrest fell in line with the systematic IOF targeting of journalists and infringement on their freedom of movement.
Thaer Saba’na, a specialist in prisoners’ affairs and brother of the detainee, told Quds Press that Mohammed was on his way back home after attending a conference for the Arab American University (AAU), where he works in the public relations department, in Amman.
He added that the Palestinian liaison office told the family that Mohammed was detained at the crossing and taken to an unknown detention center, describing his arrest as a surprise as he was never before detained by the IOF.
Mohammed, 32, works as a cartoonist for al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper in addition to his work at the AAU. He participated in numerous conferences and international exhibitions and won a number of local and international awards.
The Palestinian journalists syndicate denounced the arrest of Mohammed, who hails from Qabatiya village in Jenin, and asked for his immediate release.
The syndicate charged in a press release that Mohammed’s arrest fell in line with the systematic IOF targeting of journalists and infringement on their freedom of movement.
Palestinian Funeral Shot Earns Award for Photographer
Swedish photographer Paul Hansen won the 2012 World Press Photo award Friday for newspaper Dagens Nyheter with a picture of two Palestinian children killed in an Israeli missile strike being carried to their funeral.
The picture shows a group of men marching the dead bodies through a narrow street in Gaza. The victims, a brother and sister, are wrapped in white cloth with only their faces showing.
"The strength of the pictures lies in the way it contrasts the anger and sorrow of the adults with the innocence of the children," said jury member Mayu Mohanna of Peru. "It's a picture I will not forget."
World Press Photo, one of photojournalism's most prestigious contests, issued awards in nine categories to 54 photographers of 32 nationalities.
Hansen's Nov. 20 shot won top prize in both the spot news single photograph category and the overall competition. It portrays 2-year-old Suhaib Hijazi and her 3-year-old brother Muhammad, who were killed when their house was destroyed by the Israeli attack. They are being carried by grieving uncles, as their father Fouad was also killed, and his body can be seen in the background of the picture.
The children's mother, whose name was not provided, was in intensive care.
"This prize is the highest honor you can get in the profession," Hansen told The Associated Press. "I'm very happy, but also very sad. The family lost two children and the mother is unconscious in a hospital."
"These situations are so visually complex," he added. "It's difficult to convey the emotions, to translate what is happening. The light is harsh and there are a lot of people.
"But in the alley the light bounced off the walls, so I thought this is a place where you can see that it's a procession. ... You get the depth in the image, and the bouncing light."
Violence in the Middle East, and its effect upon civilians, was the dominant theme in the hard news categories.
The Associated Press won seven awards in all, including top prizes for a spot news series for Bernat Armangue of Spain for photos he took in Gaza during November; and for Rodrigo Abd of Argentina for general news single photograph, with a picture of a woman with a bloodstained face weeping in Idib, Syria, on March 10.
She was identified as Aida, and her photo of silent grief is in some ways a reverse image of Hansen's winning shot. She received severe injuries when her house was shelled by the Syrian Army, killing her husband and two children.
In other categories, Wei Seng Chen of Malaysia won in the sports singles category with a shot of what might be considered a local "extreme sport": a man clutching the tails of two bulls as they pull him through a watery rice field in Batu Sangkar, Indonesia.
The competition also includes portrait series, scenes from everyday life, and nature photography, among others.
The contest drew entries from professional press photographers, photojournalists and documentary photographers across the world. In all, 103,481 images were submitted by 5,666 photographers from 124 countries.
Hansen will receive a (EURO)10,000 prize at ceremonies and the opening of the year's exhibition April 25-27th in Amsterdam.
This Article was originally published on Ynet
The picture shows a group of men marching the dead bodies through a narrow street in Gaza. The victims, a brother and sister, are wrapped in white cloth with only their faces showing.
"The strength of the pictures lies in the way it contrasts the anger and sorrow of the adults with the innocence of the children," said jury member Mayu Mohanna of Peru. "It's a picture I will not forget."
World Press Photo, one of photojournalism's most prestigious contests, issued awards in nine categories to 54 photographers of 32 nationalities.
Hansen's Nov. 20 shot won top prize in both the spot news single photograph category and the overall competition. It portrays 2-year-old Suhaib Hijazi and her 3-year-old brother Muhammad, who were killed when their house was destroyed by the Israeli attack. They are being carried by grieving uncles, as their father Fouad was also killed, and his body can be seen in the background of the picture.
The children's mother, whose name was not provided, was in intensive care.
"This prize is the highest honor you can get in the profession," Hansen told The Associated Press. "I'm very happy, but also very sad. The family lost two children and the mother is unconscious in a hospital."
"These situations are so visually complex," he added. "It's difficult to convey the emotions, to translate what is happening. The light is harsh and there are a lot of people.
"But in the alley the light bounced off the walls, so I thought this is a place where you can see that it's a procession. ... You get the depth in the image, and the bouncing light."
Violence in the Middle East, and its effect upon civilians, was the dominant theme in the hard news categories.
The Associated Press won seven awards in all, including top prizes for a spot news series for Bernat Armangue of Spain for photos he took in Gaza during November; and for Rodrigo Abd of Argentina for general news single photograph, with a picture of a woman with a bloodstained face weeping in Idib, Syria, on March 10.
She was identified as Aida, and her photo of silent grief is in some ways a reverse image of Hansen's winning shot. She received severe injuries when her house was shelled by the Syrian Army, killing her husband and two children.
In other categories, Wei Seng Chen of Malaysia won in the sports singles category with a shot of what might be considered a local "extreme sport": a man clutching the tails of two bulls as they pull him through a watery rice field in Batu Sangkar, Indonesia.
The competition also includes portrait series, scenes from everyday life, and nature photography, among others.
The contest drew entries from professional press photographers, photojournalists and documentary photographers across the world. In all, 103,481 images were submitted by 5,666 photographers from 124 countries.
Hansen will receive a (EURO)10,000 prize at ceremonies and the opening of the year's exhibition April 25-27th in Amsterdam.
This Article was originally published on Ynet
10 feb 2013
Euro-mid observer calls for reconsidering European aid for PA
The Euro-mid observer for human rights expressed its grave concern about the serious violations committed by the Palestinian authority (PA) security forces against the freedom of the press and expression in the West Bank, calling for reconsidering the European support for the PA.
In a press release on Saturday, the Euro-mid observer denounced the PA preventive security forces for raiding the house of journalist Mohamed Awad in Budrus village near Ramallah city a few days ago.
The human rights group affirmed that the PA security forces did not produce a search warrant allowing them to storm the house, which makes such action illegal.
Awad, who works for Ramsat news agency, told the Euro-mid observer that he had been detained last year for three weeks by the PA intelligence apparatus without judicial authorization and was summoned many times.
He added that the PA intelligence forces had already stormed and ransacked his house and blackmailed him into cooperating with their agency.
The observer also noted that a PA court in Nablus city ordered the detention of facebook activist Anas Awad for one year on a charge of insulting the upper echelons of the PA on his page.
It stressed that Awad practiced his right to freedom of expression according to international law and did not make any offense requiring his trial.
The Euro-mid observer called on the PA to end its restrictions on public freedoms and all kinds of arrests and summonses without judicial warrants.
It also appealed to the European union and the donor countries to re-evaluate their unconditional support for the PA security system, in light of the serious violation of human rights in the West Bank.
In a press release on Saturday, the Euro-mid observer denounced the PA preventive security forces for raiding the house of journalist Mohamed Awad in Budrus village near Ramallah city a few days ago.
The human rights group affirmed that the PA security forces did not produce a search warrant allowing them to storm the house, which makes such action illegal.
Awad, who works for Ramsat news agency, told the Euro-mid observer that he had been detained last year for three weeks by the PA intelligence apparatus without judicial authorization and was summoned many times.
He added that the PA intelligence forces had already stormed and ransacked his house and blackmailed him into cooperating with their agency.
The observer also noted that a PA court in Nablus city ordered the detention of facebook activist Anas Awad for one year on a charge of insulting the upper echelons of the PA on his page.
It stressed that Awad practiced his right to freedom of expression according to international law and did not make any offense requiring his trial.
The Euro-mid observer called on the PA to end its restrictions on public freedoms and all kinds of arrests and summonses without judicial warrants.
It also appealed to the European union and the donor countries to re-evaluate their unconditional support for the PA security system, in light of the serious violation of human rights in the West Bank.
8 feb 2013
Media forum condemns extension of detention of journalist Abu Arafa
The Palestinian media forum condemned the extension of administrative detention of journalist Amer Abu Arfa, for the fourth time respectively, by the Israeli occupation authorities.
The forum condemned in a statement on Thursday the occupation continued policy of arresting Palestinian journalists and the use of administrative detention against them, noting that the silence of the international community encourages the occupation to continue to suppress freedoms.
The media forum denounced silence of the International Federation of Journalists and the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) facing the occupation crimes, and demanded them to take serious moves and steps to halt the Israeli offences against Palestinian journalists and to immediately intervene for the release of detainees.
Israeli occupation forces arrested journalist Amer Abu Arafa, Shihab Agency's correspondent in the West Bank, after besieging and raiding his home in al-Khalil on August 21, 2012 and transferred him to administrative detention without charge.
The forum condemned in a statement on Thursday the occupation continued policy of arresting Palestinian journalists and the use of administrative detention against them, noting that the silence of the international community encourages the occupation to continue to suppress freedoms.
The media forum denounced silence of the International Federation of Journalists and the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) facing the occupation crimes, and demanded them to take serious moves and steps to halt the Israeli offences against Palestinian journalists and to immediately intervene for the release of detainees.
Israeli occupation forces arrested journalist Amer Abu Arafa, Shihab Agency's correspondent in the West Bank, after besieging and raiding his home in al-Khalil on August 21, 2012 and transferred him to administrative detention without charge.
7 feb 2013
IOA renews the journalist Abu Arafah's administrative detention
Ahrar center for Prisoners studies and human rights has appealed Reporters Without Borders, the Federation of Arab Journalists and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, to immediately intervene to stop the suffering of captive journalist Amer Abu Arafah, 29, from al-Khalil.
Abu Arafah's administrative detention has been renewed by the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) for the fourth time in a row.
The journalist Amer Abu Arafah, is a correspondent for the Shehab News Agency, he was arrested on 21 August 2011 and since that date he is under the administrative detention, which was renewed every six months. He was due for release on 19 February 2013, according to the center.
The center wondered, how long silence toward violations of the occupation against the Palestinian journalists will prevail, and why the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate doesn’t move to expose the practices of the occupation against journalists? Why not organize more international campaigns to highlight the suffering of these prisoners.
Abu Arafah's administrative detention has been renewed by the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) for the fourth time in a row.
The journalist Amer Abu Arafah, is a correspondent for the Shehab News Agency, he was arrested on 21 August 2011 and since that date he is under the administrative detention, which was renewed every six months. He was due for release on 19 February 2013, according to the center.
The center wondered, how long silence toward violations of the occupation against the Palestinian journalists will prevail, and why the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate doesn’t move to expose the practices of the occupation against journalists? Why not organize more international campaigns to highlight the suffering of these prisoners.
4 feb 2013
Report: 17 Israeli attacks on journalists in January
A report monitoring the Israeli attacks on Palestinian journalists displayed an escalation in those attacks in the past month of January.
The Palestinian government’s information office said in its monthly report on freedom of the press in the Palestinian territories that the Israeli occupation forces escalated their assaults on journalists.
It said that 17 assaults were recorded comprising shooting, beating, and detention.
The report said that the most prominent attack was registered during the IOF soldiers’ forced evacuation of Bab El-Shams protest village to the east of occupied Jerusalem where Palestinian activists had established a tent village on lands threatened with Israeli confiscation in the holy city to build the biggest ever settlement project.
The Palestinian government’s information office said in its monthly report on freedom of the press in the Palestinian territories that the Israeli occupation forces escalated their assaults on journalists.
It said that 17 assaults were recorded comprising shooting, beating, and detention.
The report said that the most prominent attack was registered during the IOF soldiers’ forced evacuation of Bab El-Shams protest village to the east of occupied Jerusalem where Palestinian activists had established a tent village on lands threatened with Israeli confiscation in the holy city to build the biggest ever settlement project.
26 jan 2013
Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Press
AICafè invite you on Saturday, 26th January 2013, at 7:30 PM, for Israeli attacks on Palestinian press with the journalist Irene Nasser.
Freedom of expression and the press are crucial elements in fostering a democratic society in which transparency, informed debate and updated information are ongoing.
Israel accordingly limits the Palestinian, international and Israeli press in its coverage of the occupied Palestinian territory, targeting journalists with military violence and limiting their access to locations. During Israel's November 2012 attack on the Gaza Strip, Israel killed three Palestinian journalists while injuring another 20. It further destroyed the offices of several Palestinian and international media outlets. The international group Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of having violated international law and rules of war by targeting journalists during its November Operation Pillar of Defence military attacks on the Gaza Strip.
More common than killings, however, the Israeli military intimidates and regularly employs violence against Palestinian journalists working to cover the Israeli occupation in the West Bank.
A Palestinian journalists will share experiences of working in the West Bank, with emphasis on the recent Israeli military attacks against journalists covering the Bab Al Shams protest village set up in the Israeli-labeled E1 area of the West Bank.
The AIC is a joint Palestinian-Israeli activist organization engaged in dissemination of information, political advocacy and grassroots activism. The AICafè is a political and cultural café open on Tuesday and Saturday night from 7pm until 10.30 pm. Every Thursday at 8 PM, the AICinema screens films from the Arab World and beyond.The AIC is located in the Alternative Information Center in Beit Sahour, close to Suq Sha'ab (follow the sign to Jadal Center). We have a small library with novels, political books and magazines. We also have a number of Films in DVD copies and the AIC publications which are aimed to critically analyze both Palestinian and Israeli societies, as well as the conflict itself.
Freedom of expression and the press are crucial elements in fostering a democratic society in which transparency, informed debate and updated information are ongoing.
Israel accordingly limits the Palestinian, international and Israeli press in its coverage of the occupied Palestinian territory, targeting journalists with military violence and limiting their access to locations. During Israel's November 2012 attack on the Gaza Strip, Israel killed three Palestinian journalists while injuring another 20. It further destroyed the offices of several Palestinian and international media outlets. The international group Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of having violated international law and rules of war by targeting journalists during its November Operation Pillar of Defence military attacks on the Gaza Strip.
More common than killings, however, the Israeli military intimidates and regularly employs violence against Palestinian journalists working to cover the Israeli occupation in the West Bank.
A Palestinian journalists will share experiences of working in the West Bank, with emphasis on the recent Israeli military attacks against journalists covering the Bab Al Shams protest village set up in the Israeli-labeled E1 area of the West Bank.
The AIC is a joint Palestinian-Israeli activist organization engaged in dissemination of information, political advocacy and grassroots activism. The AICafè is a political and cultural café open on Tuesday and Saturday night from 7pm until 10.30 pm. Every Thursday at 8 PM, the AICinema screens films from the Arab World and beyond.The AIC is located in the Alternative Information Center in Beit Sahour, close to Suq Sha'ab (follow the sign to Jadal Center). We have a small library with novels, political books and magazines. We also have a number of Films in DVD copies and the AIC publications which are aimed to critically analyze both Palestinian and Israeli societies, as well as the conflict itself.
23 jan 2013
7 Violations in 2 Days: MADA Demands Respect for Freedom of Expression in Gaza
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) denounces the recent violations against journalists in the Gaza Strip, ranging from arrest and summons to assault, during 21st and 22nd January 2013.
Internal security personnel in the Gaza Strip arrested four journalists: Executive Director of the Journalists' Syndicate Munir Almunirawi, reporter for Sawt Alhureyya Juma' Abu Shumer, Chief Editor in Palestinian Media Group Mustafa Al-Miqdad and freelamcer Ashraf Abu Khsewan. In addition, reporters from the Aswar Press website Hussein Abdel Jawad and Abdul Karim Fathi have been summoned for investigation today (23rd January 2013).
Director of Sawt Alhureyya, Amjad Arapeed told MADA that internal security arrested radio reporter Juma' Abu Shumer on Tuesday morning. He added "a force of internal security came to the family house of Abu Shumer in Deir al-Balah, but he was not in the house where he lives in Gaza City, so they detain his family and uncle still to Abu Shumer went to the headquarters of the internal security in Gaza City. Indeed, when Juma' went to the security headquarters in Gaza, they released the family and went out of the house. He has not been charged so far and they did not explain the reason of his arrest. "
Raed Almunirawi, the brother of journalist Munir Almunirawi, told MADA of the internal security's visit to their home in Deir al-Balah at 8pm on Monday to inform them of an arrest warrant against Munir and to search the house. Almunirawi added: "They searched the house well and they confiscated Laptop, Munir's mobile and papers concerning the work of my brother, then they arrested him and we learned that he is in the internal security headquarters in Rafah."
Supervisor of the Aswar Press website, Manal Khamis has confirmed that journalists Mustafa Meqdad and Ashraf Abu Khsewan are being held by internal security. She expressed her anxiety over the summoning of the two website reporters for investigation by security, stating: "We have been handed a summons of reporters Abdel Gawad and Fathi to go to the internal security headquarters in Ansar at nine in the morning on Wednesday. This is not the first time that our staffs were investigated because of our professional work, although we did not publish any abuse of Hamas or internal security and I'm surprising from this escalation against journalists and our site in light of the positive atmosphere of reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas."
In another incident, photographer Ashraf Abu Amra was assaulted while covering the solidarity sit-in on Sunday 20th January 2013. Abu Amra told MADA: "I received an invitation from the Popular Front political party to cover the solidarity sit-in with one prisoner of the Popular Front in French prisons in front of the French Consulate in Gaza city. During the sit-in, one of the participants came and began to laugh in front of reporters, we told him to show respect or to stay away from journalists, but he began spitting and insulting us. Then, other participants interfered and dragged him away of us. After the sit-in, he approached me and he beat me and insulting me in front of everyone". Abu Amra intends to submit a complaint to the police despite not knowing the name of the assailant. Anyway, he decided to report the incident on Tuesday.
MADA demands that the internal security immediate release the detained journalists. It stresses the need to respect freedom of opinion and expression in the Gaza Strip and to refrain from prosecuting journalists so as to allow them to work freely and safely.
Internal security personnel in the Gaza Strip arrested four journalists: Executive Director of the Journalists' Syndicate Munir Almunirawi, reporter for Sawt Alhureyya Juma' Abu Shumer, Chief Editor in Palestinian Media Group Mustafa Al-Miqdad and freelamcer Ashraf Abu Khsewan. In addition, reporters from the Aswar Press website Hussein Abdel Jawad and Abdul Karim Fathi have been summoned for investigation today (23rd January 2013).
Director of Sawt Alhureyya, Amjad Arapeed told MADA that internal security arrested radio reporter Juma' Abu Shumer on Tuesday morning. He added "a force of internal security came to the family house of Abu Shumer in Deir al-Balah, but he was not in the house where he lives in Gaza City, so they detain his family and uncle still to Abu Shumer went to the headquarters of the internal security in Gaza City. Indeed, when Juma' went to the security headquarters in Gaza, they released the family and went out of the house. He has not been charged so far and they did not explain the reason of his arrest. "
Raed Almunirawi, the brother of journalist Munir Almunirawi, told MADA of the internal security's visit to their home in Deir al-Balah at 8pm on Monday to inform them of an arrest warrant against Munir and to search the house. Almunirawi added: "They searched the house well and they confiscated Laptop, Munir's mobile and papers concerning the work of my brother, then they arrested him and we learned that he is in the internal security headquarters in Rafah."
Supervisor of the Aswar Press website, Manal Khamis has confirmed that journalists Mustafa Meqdad and Ashraf Abu Khsewan are being held by internal security. She expressed her anxiety over the summoning of the two website reporters for investigation by security, stating: "We have been handed a summons of reporters Abdel Gawad and Fathi to go to the internal security headquarters in Ansar at nine in the morning on Wednesday. This is not the first time that our staffs were investigated because of our professional work, although we did not publish any abuse of Hamas or internal security and I'm surprising from this escalation against journalists and our site in light of the positive atmosphere of reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas."
In another incident, photographer Ashraf Abu Amra was assaulted while covering the solidarity sit-in on Sunday 20th January 2013. Abu Amra told MADA: "I received an invitation from the Popular Front political party to cover the solidarity sit-in with one prisoner of the Popular Front in French prisons in front of the French Consulate in Gaza city. During the sit-in, one of the participants came and began to laugh in front of reporters, we told him to show respect or to stay away from journalists, but he began spitting and insulting us. Then, other participants interfered and dragged him away of us. After the sit-in, he approached me and he beat me and insulting me in front of everyone". Abu Amra intends to submit a complaint to the police despite not knowing the name of the assailant. Anyway, he decided to report the incident on Tuesday.
MADA demands that the internal security immediate release the detained journalists. It stresses the need to respect freedom of opinion and expression in the Gaza Strip and to refrain from prosecuting journalists so as to allow them to work freely and safely.
22 jan 2013
Wattan TV Demands Compensation for Damaged Equipment
The Ramallah-based Wattan TV demanded the Israeli military government to replace damaged equipment and compensate it for losses occured during an Israeli raid on the station in Febuary.
Wattan TV said in a press statement that Wattan TV lawyers and staff went to Beit El military base near Ramallah last week to inspect and return equipment and files confiscated during the raid on the TV station apparently after the Israeli High Court had questioned the purpose behind seizing the equipment.
According to the statement, the government of Israel said in a letter sent to the High Court on December 16 that it will return Wattan's equipment.
After inspecting the equipment, the staff was shocked by the damage caused to them to a point they have become inoperable. Many of the station's administrative files were also missing.
The TV technicians tried to start the computers, equipment, and editing units but to no avail, said the statement.
The military government admitted in a signed report that the equipment returned to the TV station was damaged and inoperable.
It said 15 of the 18 equipment items were heavily damaged and the remaining three were damage to a lesser degree.
The statement said the transmission equipment and six computers remain unaccounted for by the Israeli military and Wattan's accounting data, software, and records as of 1996 until the day of the raid were lost.
The High Court had ordered the government to return the transmission equipment by January 17 but it did not, said the statement, explaining that the TV station may ask the court to demand immediate return of this equipment.
Wattan TV asked governments, media support agencies and human rights organizations to demand that Israel should replace the damaged equipment and compensate the station for its losses.
Wattan TV said in a press statement that Wattan TV lawyers and staff went to Beit El military base near Ramallah last week to inspect and return equipment and files confiscated during the raid on the TV station apparently after the Israeli High Court had questioned the purpose behind seizing the equipment.
According to the statement, the government of Israel said in a letter sent to the High Court on December 16 that it will return Wattan's equipment.
After inspecting the equipment, the staff was shocked by the damage caused to them to a point they have become inoperable. Many of the station's administrative files were also missing.
The TV technicians tried to start the computers, equipment, and editing units but to no avail, said the statement.
The military government admitted in a signed report that the equipment returned to the TV station was damaged and inoperable.
It said 15 of the 18 equipment items were heavily damaged and the remaining three were damage to a lesser degree.
The statement said the transmission equipment and six computers remain unaccounted for by the Israeli military and Wattan's accounting data, software, and records as of 1996 until the day of the raid were lost.
The High Court had ordered the government to return the transmission equipment by January 17 but it did not, said the statement, explaining that the TV station may ask the court to demand immediate return of this equipment.
Wattan TV asked governments, media support agencies and human rights organizations to demand that Israel should replace the damaged equipment and compensate the station for its losses.
Hamas Security Forces in Gaza Arrest Several Journalists
Hamas security sources arrested at dawn, several Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian sources revealed that Hamas arrested Al-Horya Radio reporter, Joma Abu Shomar, in Gaza after the Hamas security services detained his father and uncles, to force him turn himself in before releasing his family.
Hamas security services also arrested the journalists: Munir Al-Mawri, Ashraf Abu Khsewan and Mustafa Megdad without informing them of the reasons behind their arrest.
The Hamas' Internal Security Agency summoned Sunday several Palestinian Journalists including Abdul Karim Haji and Hussein Abdul Jawad Karsou', without revealing reasons for their arrest.
Palestinian sources revealed that Hamas arrested Al-Horya Radio reporter, Joma Abu Shomar, in Gaza after the Hamas security services detained his father and uncles, to force him turn himself in before releasing his family.
Hamas security services also arrested the journalists: Munir Al-Mawri, Ashraf Abu Khsewan and Mustafa Megdad without informing them of the reasons behind their arrest.
The Hamas' Internal Security Agency summoned Sunday several Palestinian Journalists including Abdul Karim Haji and Hussein Abdul Jawad Karsou', without revealing reasons for their arrest.
10 jan 2013
November’s Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip saw journalists from many nations risking their lives in the process of reporting for the outside world. Despite Israel’s targeted attacks and the many challenges faced by journalists, the eight-day war on Gaza showed more than ever how important it is to have reporters on the ground.
Anne Paq is a French freelance photographer and member of the photo collective Activestills. She documented life in Gaza during Operation Pillar of Defense.
EJC: What was the main focus of your work before the offensive began?
AP: Partly, I was there to continue work on the documentary film Flying Paper about creative resistance through kite making and flying among Gazan children.
Besides, I was there to develop photographic archives and stories for Activestills.
I also wanted to document more on artists and alternative sub-cultures in Gaza, following up to Activestills’ multimedia piece Not a Dreamland, based on my photos and videos.
EJC: Reporting from Gaza during the 2008-09 war was nearly impossible. Why were journalists allowed into Gaza this time?
AP: I think the international condemnation of Operation Cast Lead, and the heavy criticism against Israel for forbidding foreign reporters to enter Gaza forced Israel to act differently.
Something that needs to be highlighted is the pressure made on journalists. The Israeli army sent text messages warning reporters based in Gaza to stay away from Hamas officials. Some foreign journalists were clearly instructed by Israeli authorities to stay at three main hotels and not move around.
EJC: What was your experience reporting on the ground?
AP: Working was very difficult because the bombardments were taking place all over Gaza. Moving around was dangerous, nowhere was safe to go.
It was physically exhausting. Funerals, for instance, were very hard to cover. I would spend hours standing to find the right spot, among several photographers and cameramen, and run around to keep up with what was going on.
Besides working hard during day time, it was very hard to sleep at night when the bombings were intensifying.
It was emotionally challenging to concentrate on capturing the best shots, and hold back emotions in the face of such atrocities.
Getting accurate information was another challenge, having to face chaotic scenes. At Shifa hospital, it was difficult to obtain reliable information about names of dead and injured, or types of injuries due to the high number of casualties.
EJC: In what conditions were you working?
AP: I was with other internationals, mainly independent journalists, activists, people I trust. It was helpful not only for safety reasons but also to get the right information, cross-check facts, interview people, share impressions.
Dealing with frequent electricity cuts meant that one moment I was working from my flat, the next I was in a restaurant with all my equipment to carry on working.
Members of Activestills were very supportive in sharing, from distance, part of the work I was doing which involved selecting, editing and posting photos online, writing text and captions. Being the only foreign female photographer there at certain times, I also appreciated the support from local Palestinian photographers.
EJC: You documented the war through the eyes of the civilian population in Gaza. How is that reflected in your photos?
AP: I focussed on civilians, who comprised most of the casualties. I spent a lot of time at Shifa hospital, where I saw women, children, elders. I looked for specific details by documenting injuries at close range, for example, or showing pieces of shrapnel.
It was also important to document demolitions of homes and civilian buildings like the Council of Ministers or the civil department of the Ministry of Interior.
Some details could be useful to establish whether a war crime was committed.
EJC:You took photos showing destroyed buildings, dead bodies, injured children, grieving families. How difficult did you find it witnessing firsthand what was happening?
AP: It’s tough but you have to breathe deeply and swallow tears when you do this job.
You make your own choice about what to show. I had graphic pictures which I didn’t release.
It was really frustrating to lose track of the dead and injured, not to know their names, with so many bodies rushed inside the hospital. Whenever I was entering the mortuary, I was only let in for few seconds to take pictures.
EJC: Could you describe any photo that you consider particularly telling of what this war looked like?
AP: The photos that will stay in my mind are related to the al-Dalou family. On the fifth day, an air strike directly hit their home in Gaza City killing at least 10 members of the family in the single deadliest incident of the onslaught. Only one family member survived.
The same day of the strike, I went on site where workers were searching the rubble for some bodies missing.
During the funerals, four kids were laid on the floor for few minutes, in a shop near the demolished home, for women to say their goodbyes.
They were wrapped in Palestinian flags, with their eyes left open. I took several pictures 1 meter above them. In one, a Palestinian woman was touching the children’s faces very gently. That remains one of the strongest pictures.
EJC: With Israeli air strikes hitting media buildings, killing and injuring journalists, how did the media work to ensure accurate reporting come out of Gaza?
AP: Those attacks didn’t stop journalists from reporting. I was really impressed by the way Palestinian journalists and cameramen worked day and night.
Some were going to locations following bombings, despite knowing Israel usually hits the same targets repeatedly. Journalists from Al Aqsa and Al Quds TV offices continued broadcasting from different locations, just after being attacked.
The widespread use of social media was remarkable, with bloggers, activists and citizens uploading their own videos and engaging online. Every time there was a strike, few minutes later you knew via Twitter where the attack occurred and whether there were casualties.
----
This piece was first published on December 22, 2012 At the European Journalism Centre http://www.ejc.net
Alessandra Bajec, Italian/French bilingual, holds a Master’s degree in conflict resolution and a Bachelor’s degree in political science.
Between June 2010 and May 2011, she lived in Palestine, where she made her first steps as a freelance journalist. She also contributed as English radio newscaster to Voice of An-Najah (An-Najah University).
Her articles have appeared in various Palestinian newswires, The Majalla, Mashallah News and others. Her interests include Palestine, the Middle East, independent journalism, peace, human rights, and international travel.
Anne Paq is a French freelance photographer and member of the photo collective Activestills. She documented life in Gaza during Operation Pillar of Defense.
EJC: What was the main focus of your work before the offensive began?
AP: Partly, I was there to continue work on the documentary film Flying Paper about creative resistance through kite making and flying among Gazan children.
Besides, I was there to develop photographic archives and stories for Activestills.
I also wanted to document more on artists and alternative sub-cultures in Gaza, following up to Activestills’ multimedia piece Not a Dreamland, based on my photos and videos.
EJC: Reporting from Gaza during the 2008-09 war was nearly impossible. Why were journalists allowed into Gaza this time?
AP: I think the international condemnation of Operation Cast Lead, and the heavy criticism against Israel for forbidding foreign reporters to enter Gaza forced Israel to act differently.
Something that needs to be highlighted is the pressure made on journalists. The Israeli army sent text messages warning reporters based in Gaza to stay away from Hamas officials. Some foreign journalists were clearly instructed by Israeli authorities to stay at three main hotels and not move around.
EJC: What was your experience reporting on the ground?
AP: Working was very difficult because the bombardments were taking place all over Gaza. Moving around was dangerous, nowhere was safe to go.
It was physically exhausting. Funerals, for instance, were very hard to cover. I would spend hours standing to find the right spot, among several photographers and cameramen, and run around to keep up with what was going on.
Besides working hard during day time, it was very hard to sleep at night when the bombings were intensifying.
It was emotionally challenging to concentrate on capturing the best shots, and hold back emotions in the face of such atrocities.
Getting accurate information was another challenge, having to face chaotic scenes. At Shifa hospital, it was difficult to obtain reliable information about names of dead and injured, or types of injuries due to the high number of casualties.
EJC: In what conditions were you working?
AP: I was with other internationals, mainly independent journalists, activists, people I trust. It was helpful not only for safety reasons but also to get the right information, cross-check facts, interview people, share impressions.
Dealing with frequent electricity cuts meant that one moment I was working from my flat, the next I was in a restaurant with all my equipment to carry on working.
Members of Activestills were very supportive in sharing, from distance, part of the work I was doing which involved selecting, editing and posting photos online, writing text and captions. Being the only foreign female photographer there at certain times, I also appreciated the support from local Palestinian photographers.
EJC: You documented the war through the eyes of the civilian population in Gaza. How is that reflected in your photos?
AP: I focussed on civilians, who comprised most of the casualties. I spent a lot of time at Shifa hospital, where I saw women, children, elders. I looked for specific details by documenting injuries at close range, for example, or showing pieces of shrapnel.
It was also important to document demolitions of homes and civilian buildings like the Council of Ministers or the civil department of the Ministry of Interior.
Some details could be useful to establish whether a war crime was committed.
EJC:You took photos showing destroyed buildings, dead bodies, injured children, grieving families. How difficult did you find it witnessing firsthand what was happening?
AP: It’s tough but you have to breathe deeply and swallow tears when you do this job.
You make your own choice about what to show. I had graphic pictures which I didn’t release.
It was really frustrating to lose track of the dead and injured, not to know their names, with so many bodies rushed inside the hospital. Whenever I was entering the mortuary, I was only let in for few seconds to take pictures.
EJC: Could you describe any photo that you consider particularly telling of what this war looked like?
AP: The photos that will stay in my mind are related to the al-Dalou family. On the fifth day, an air strike directly hit their home in Gaza City killing at least 10 members of the family in the single deadliest incident of the onslaught. Only one family member survived.
The same day of the strike, I went on site where workers were searching the rubble for some bodies missing.
During the funerals, four kids were laid on the floor for few minutes, in a shop near the demolished home, for women to say their goodbyes.
They were wrapped in Palestinian flags, with their eyes left open. I took several pictures 1 meter above them. In one, a Palestinian woman was touching the children’s faces very gently. That remains one of the strongest pictures.
EJC: With Israeli air strikes hitting media buildings, killing and injuring journalists, how did the media work to ensure accurate reporting come out of Gaza?
AP: Those attacks didn’t stop journalists from reporting. I was really impressed by the way Palestinian journalists and cameramen worked day and night.
Some were going to locations following bombings, despite knowing Israel usually hits the same targets repeatedly. Journalists from Al Aqsa and Al Quds TV offices continued broadcasting from different locations, just after being attacked.
The widespread use of social media was remarkable, with bloggers, activists and citizens uploading their own videos and engaging online. Every time there was a strike, few minutes later you knew via Twitter where the attack occurred and whether there were casualties.
----
This piece was first published on December 22, 2012 At the European Journalism Centre http://www.ejc.net
Alessandra Bajec, Italian/French bilingual, holds a Master’s degree in conflict resolution and a Bachelor’s degree in political science.
Between June 2010 and May 2011, she lived in Palestine, where she made her first steps as a freelance journalist. She also contributed as English radio newscaster to Voice of An-Najah (An-Najah University).
Her articles have appeared in various Palestinian newswires, The Majalla, Mashallah News and others. Her interests include Palestine, the Middle East, independent journalism, peace, human rights, and international travel.
8 jan 2013
Report: Israel stepped up its violations against press freedom in 2012
An official Palestinian report said that Israel's press freedom violations in the occupied Palestinian lands escalated during 2012.
The report affirmed that Israel committed last year 177 violations against the freedom of the press, including three attacks that resulted in the death of three journalists.
Israel also used arrests and violence to muzzle the media and suppress freedom of opinion and expression in order to prevent the exposure of its daily crimes to the world public opinion, it added.
The report noted that director of Al-Quds radio station Mohamed Abu Eisha, 24, and the two cameramen from Al-Aqsa satellite channel Mahmoud Komi, 24, and Hossam Salama, 28, were assassinated in aerial attacks on their cars last years in Gaza.
The report affirmed that Israel committed last year 177 violations against the freedom of the press, including three attacks that resulted in the death of three journalists.
Israel also used arrests and violence to muzzle the media and suppress freedom of opinion and expression in order to prevent the exposure of its daily crimes to the world public opinion, it added.
The report noted that director of Al-Quds radio station Mohamed Abu Eisha, 24, and the two cameramen from Al-Aqsa satellite channel Mahmoud Komi, 24, and Hossam Salama, 28, were assassinated in aerial attacks on their cars last years in Gaza.