22 sept 2013
The family of journalist Mohammed Eshtiwi appealed to human rights groups to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) into allowing him to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment. The family said in a press release on Saturday that Eshtiwi has medical reports stating his need for treatment abroad but the IOA would not allow him to travel.
It said that the IOA returned Eshtiwi from the Karame crossing leading to Jordan a few days ago at the pretext that he was banned from travel due to “security reasons”.
The IOA even refused to grant Eshtiwi permit to receive treatment in Jerusalem or 1948 occupied Palestine hospitals, the family said.
It said that the IOA returned Eshtiwi from the Karame crossing leading to Jordan a few days ago at the pretext that he was banned from travel due to “security reasons”.
The IOA even refused to grant Eshtiwi permit to receive treatment in Jerusalem or 1948 occupied Palestine hospitals, the family said.
20 sept 2013
Dozens of activists were lightly injured on Friday in demonstrations across the occupied West Bank.
In Kafr Qaddum near Qalqiliya seven people were injured after being struck by tear-gas canisters in different parts of their bodies.
A Chinese journalist was struck in the knee, photojournalist Ayman Idrees was struck in the chest, Moaweyah Shtewi, 17, was struck in the hip, while both Raed Nasser and an Israeli activist were struck in the shoulder.
Demonstrators marked the 31st anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and called for punishing those responsible for it.
Coordinator for the popular struggle committee Murad Shtewi said that Israeli forces targeted the bodies of demonstrators and fired tear-gas canisters into homes.
In Bilin, three Palestinians and a Swedish activist were injured and dozens others suffered tear-gas inhalation in a protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and prisoners.
Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at protesters nearing the wall. Hamza Burnat, 21, Ismail Abu Rahma, 15, Ashraf Khateeb, 31, and Sara Jon, 40, were struck with tear-gas canisters in different parts of their bodies.
In Nabi Saleh, protesters marched toward their confiscated lands but were stopped by Israeli forces who fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets.
Protestors made speeches condemning the Sabra and Shatila massacre and calling for the release of all prisoners. Dozens suffered tear-gas inhalation in al-Maasara south of Bethlehem.
Protesters raised Palestinian flags and pictures of prisoners, and children wore masks to represent people who died in Sabra and Shatila.
In Kafr Qaddum near Qalqiliya seven people were injured after being struck by tear-gas canisters in different parts of their bodies.
A Chinese journalist was struck in the knee, photojournalist Ayman Idrees was struck in the chest, Moaweyah Shtewi, 17, was struck in the hip, while both Raed Nasser and an Israeli activist were struck in the shoulder.
Demonstrators marked the 31st anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and called for punishing those responsible for it.
Coordinator for the popular struggle committee Murad Shtewi said that Israeli forces targeted the bodies of demonstrators and fired tear-gas canisters into homes.
In Bilin, three Palestinians and a Swedish activist were injured and dozens others suffered tear-gas inhalation in a protest in solidarity with Jerusalem and prisoners.
Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at protesters nearing the wall. Hamza Burnat, 21, Ismail Abu Rahma, 15, Ashraf Khateeb, 31, and Sara Jon, 40, were struck with tear-gas canisters in different parts of their bodies.
In Nabi Saleh, protesters marched toward their confiscated lands but were stopped by Israeli forces who fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets.
Protestors made speeches condemning the Sabra and Shatila massacre and calling for the release of all prisoners. Dozens suffered tear-gas inhalation in al-Maasara south of Bethlehem.
Protesters raised Palestinian flags and pictures of prisoners, and children wore masks to represent people who died in Sabra and Shatila.
17 sept 2013
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) expressed in a press release, its concern about the continued closure of Ma'an agency and Alarabiya TV offices in the Gaza Strip since 25th of last July, and the policy of prosecuting journalists and bloggers, which increased after the dismissal of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and after the events at Rabaa Aladawaia and Alnahda. Most recently was the arrest of journalist Thaher Alshamali in Ramallah, and blogger Hazem Salamah who was called for interrogation in Gaza.
Mousa Rimawi the General Director of MADA stated that the continued closure of Ma'an and Alarabiya brings us back to the dark era in the first months after the Palestinian internal division in mid-June 2007, which witnessed the closure of media outlets headquarters in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the prohibition of media outlets from working, and the prevention from newspapers distribution, in addition to large prosecutions of journalists.
He added: "We believed that we have passed that stage, especially after the breakthrough that has occurred in media freedoms status during the past year and a half, but the return of tension to the relationship between Fatah and Hamas and the recent events in Egypt overshadowed darkly on freedom of expression in Palestine, and led to the deterioration of the freedoms of media in the last two months".
The Attorney General's adviser in Gaza, Ismail Jabr has issued an order on Thursday 25th July 2013 to close the offices of Ma'an and Alarabiya in the Gaza Strip on a temporary basis under the pretext of (Fabrication of News and spreading fabricated rumors and unreal information that is not based on the source of truth that threatens national peace and harms the Palestinian people and its resistance).
Rimawi stated that the continued closure of the offices and prosecution of the journalists is a breach and violation of media freedoms and to the articles 19 and 27 of the Palestinian Basic Law.
In addition, the decision to close was temporary, but did not specify the duration, which gives the potential for closure to take months or years, so we (MADA) call for the offices to be reopened immediately, to enable the journalists and the media outlets to work freely and safely, to end the prosecution of journalists, whether in Gaza or the West Bank, and allow the re-printing and distribution of newspapers in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Mousa Rimawi the General Director of MADA stated that the continued closure of Ma'an and Alarabiya brings us back to the dark era in the first months after the Palestinian internal division in mid-June 2007, which witnessed the closure of media outlets headquarters in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the prohibition of media outlets from working, and the prevention from newspapers distribution, in addition to large prosecutions of journalists.
He added: "We believed that we have passed that stage, especially after the breakthrough that has occurred in media freedoms status during the past year and a half, but the return of tension to the relationship between Fatah and Hamas and the recent events in Egypt overshadowed darkly on freedom of expression in Palestine, and led to the deterioration of the freedoms of media in the last two months".
The Attorney General's adviser in Gaza, Ismail Jabr has issued an order on Thursday 25th July 2013 to close the offices of Ma'an and Alarabiya in the Gaza Strip on a temporary basis under the pretext of (Fabrication of News and spreading fabricated rumors and unreal information that is not based on the source of truth that threatens national peace and harms the Palestinian people and its resistance).
Rimawi stated that the continued closure of the offices and prosecution of the journalists is a breach and violation of media freedoms and to the articles 19 and 27 of the Palestinian Basic Law.
In addition, the decision to close was temporary, but did not specify the duration, which gives the potential for closure to take months or years, so we (MADA) call for the offices to be reopened immediately, to enable the journalists and the media outlets to work freely and safely, to end the prosecution of journalists, whether in Gaza or the West Bank, and allow the re-printing and distribution of newspapers in both Gaza and the West Bank.
12 sept 2013
A Tel Aviv district court has rejected legal claims against Palestinian officials accusing them of incitement against Israel which led to “terrorist” attacks against Israel and Israelis.
Judge Dalia Gannot strictly rejected the testimony of the founder and director of Palestinian Media Watch, an Israeli media watchdog group which monitors Palestinian media outlets and publishes reports about incitement against Israel.
Marcus was summoned as an expert witness by the complainant, an Israeli family whose son was killed in a shooting about 10 years earlier. But the judge deemed Marcus an “incompetent” witness.
The family’s attorney accused senior Palestinian officials including President Mahmoud Abbas of incitement against Israel which encouraged Palestinians to carry out attacks against Israelis, one of which led to the killing of a member of the family. The attorney claimed in his pleading that senior PA officials were indirectly responsible for the killing.
Lawyer Joseph Arnone, who represented the PA, argued that the challenge was completely false as the incitement theory was based on quotes taken from unofficial and unpopular news outlets.
In her decision, the Israeli judge said that “there were remarks reflecting incitement against Israel and the Jews in Palestinian media, but there was no evidence of deliberate incitement.”
The witness, Itamar Marcus, presented to the judge reports he and his watchdog group translated from Palestinian media outlets as well as video footage. He argued that through his work running a media watchdog he reached the a conclusion that “the PA follows an explicit policy of incitement against Israel and the Jews.”
However, the judge decided that the evidence Marcus gave could not prove his claims about incitement.
The judge argued that Marcus quoted newspapers such as al-Hayat al-Jadida, al-Ayyam and al-Quds as well as the Voice of Palestine radio station, but he ignored very popular Palestinian news outlets.
When she asked him about al-Fajr newspaper, Marcus said he was not familiar with that paper. The judge also highlighted that a majority of the newspaper quotes were taken from al-Hayat al-Jadida which is among the least popular Palestinian newspapers, while only very few quotes were taken from the most popular newspaper al-Quds.
Asked to explain, Marcus said he did not care how popular his sources were as long as these sources represented the PA.
“I don’t care if only 8,000 people read al-Hayat al-Jadida, all I care about is the messages this paper disseminates,” the lawyer quoted him as saying.
Marcus agreed with the judge that Wafa news agency was the official agency representing the Palestine Liberation Organization but he did not use quotes from the agency to support his claims.
The judge noted that Marcus ignored the more popular Palestinian news outlets, and thus his theory of incitement was unacceptable. She wondered why he did not use any quotes from major Arab channels such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyya which are very popular in the Palestinian territories.
The judge concluded that the complainant could not prove incitement by PA officials. “If that was true, the PA would have used the most popular news outlets to disseminate its messages to as many Palestinians as possible,” she noted.
She noted that there was still “disgusting” incitement in some Palestinian outlets.
The judge also pointed out that the complainant presented only 76 news reports and articles documented in 15 years from 1995 to 2010. This is very few, the judge said, given the large number of news reports published in 15 years. She added that many of the reports reflected the writers’ own opinions.
“There is no doubt some Palestinian news outlets incite against Israel and the Jews, but it is clear this is not an official policy of the PA,” the judge concluded.
Judge Dalia Gannot strictly rejected the testimony of the founder and director of Palestinian Media Watch, an Israeli media watchdog group which monitors Palestinian media outlets and publishes reports about incitement against Israel.
Marcus was summoned as an expert witness by the complainant, an Israeli family whose son was killed in a shooting about 10 years earlier. But the judge deemed Marcus an “incompetent” witness.
The family’s attorney accused senior Palestinian officials including President Mahmoud Abbas of incitement against Israel which encouraged Palestinians to carry out attacks against Israelis, one of which led to the killing of a member of the family. The attorney claimed in his pleading that senior PA officials were indirectly responsible for the killing.
Lawyer Joseph Arnone, who represented the PA, argued that the challenge was completely false as the incitement theory was based on quotes taken from unofficial and unpopular news outlets.
In her decision, the Israeli judge said that “there were remarks reflecting incitement against Israel and the Jews in Palestinian media, but there was no evidence of deliberate incitement.”
The witness, Itamar Marcus, presented to the judge reports he and his watchdog group translated from Palestinian media outlets as well as video footage. He argued that through his work running a media watchdog he reached the a conclusion that “the PA follows an explicit policy of incitement against Israel and the Jews.”
However, the judge decided that the evidence Marcus gave could not prove his claims about incitement.
The judge argued that Marcus quoted newspapers such as al-Hayat al-Jadida, al-Ayyam and al-Quds as well as the Voice of Palestine radio station, but he ignored very popular Palestinian news outlets.
When she asked him about al-Fajr newspaper, Marcus said he was not familiar with that paper. The judge also highlighted that a majority of the newspaper quotes were taken from al-Hayat al-Jadida which is among the least popular Palestinian newspapers, while only very few quotes were taken from the most popular newspaper al-Quds.
Asked to explain, Marcus said he did not care how popular his sources were as long as these sources represented the PA.
“I don’t care if only 8,000 people read al-Hayat al-Jadida, all I care about is the messages this paper disseminates,” the lawyer quoted him as saying.
Marcus agreed with the judge that Wafa news agency was the official agency representing the Palestine Liberation Organization but he did not use quotes from the agency to support his claims.
The judge noted that Marcus ignored the more popular Palestinian news outlets, and thus his theory of incitement was unacceptable. She wondered why he did not use any quotes from major Arab channels such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiyya which are very popular in the Palestinian territories.
The judge concluded that the complainant could not prove incitement by PA officials. “If that was true, the PA would have used the most popular news outlets to disseminate its messages to as many Palestinians as possible,” she noted.
She noted that there was still “disgusting” incitement in some Palestinian outlets.
The judge also pointed out that the complainant presented only 76 news reports and articles documented in 15 years from 1995 to 2010. This is very few, the judge said, given the large number of news reports published in 15 years. She added that many of the reports reflected the writers’ own opinions.
“There is no doubt some Palestinian news outlets incite against Israel and the Jews, but it is clear this is not an official policy of the PA,” the judge concluded.
10 sept 2013
Palestine News Network (PNN) files a written complaint to the administrative council of the Palestinian Journalist's Syndicate against the PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo on Tuesday.
The complaint regards Abd Rabbo inappropriate behavior in dealing with a PNN editor, who called him to clarify a statement he made according to Israeli radio, in which Abd Rabbo said that negotiations are not proceeding which may cause catastrophic results.
PNN explained in the complaint that the colleague, Mohammed Masalmeh, called Abd Rabbo to confirm the statements and gain aditional information. Yet, Abd Rabbo responded by saying that "News and media are ridiculous. Besides, what does clarifying a statement even mean?" He proceeded to hang up the phone and refused to answer from then on.
Abd Rabbo could simply have refused to comment or respond to the question in a decent and professional manner. PNN called on the syndicate and media agencies to boycott Abd Rabbo and to take strict measures against him, because it is inappropriate to treat with any journalist or news agency with such disrespect.
PNN wonders whether a journalist from an international or Israeli media agency, would have been treated with similar disrespect by Abd Rabbo. PNN demands that the Journalist's Syndicate follows up on the complaint and takes measures against any official that undermines Palestinian media and Palestinian journalists.
The complaint regards Abd Rabbo inappropriate behavior in dealing with a PNN editor, who called him to clarify a statement he made according to Israeli radio, in which Abd Rabbo said that negotiations are not proceeding which may cause catastrophic results.
PNN explained in the complaint that the colleague, Mohammed Masalmeh, called Abd Rabbo to confirm the statements and gain aditional information. Yet, Abd Rabbo responded by saying that "News and media are ridiculous. Besides, what does clarifying a statement even mean?" He proceeded to hang up the phone and refused to answer from then on.
Abd Rabbo could simply have refused to comment or respond to the question in a decent and professional manner. PNN called on the syndicate and media agencies to boycott Abd Rabbo and to take strict measures against him, because it is inappropriate to treat with any journalist or news agency with such disrespect.
PNN wonders whether a journalist from an international or Israeli media agency, would have been treated with similar disrespect by Abd Rabbo. PNN demands that the Journalist's Syndicate follows up on the complaint and takes measures against any official that undermines Palestinian media and Palestinian journalists.
7 sept 2013
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) accused the PA forces of forcing detained journalists to reveal their emails and social profiles passwords during investigation. MADA monitored during the past 20 months attacks on journalists for expressing their opinion on Facebook, and some journalists reported to MADA that security services attempted to force them during investigation to reveal their emails and social profiles passwords.
MADA said that its report sheds light on the reality of the internet in Palestine and the violations committed against journalists for expressing their opinions on the social networks.
The violations against Facebook users and bloggers confirm that the PA authorities control and follow social networks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with increased monitoring in the last two years after the success of the revolutions in a number of Arab countries, especially Tunisia and Egypt, where youth played a primary role in coordinating and mobilizing the masses through social networks.
MADA called on all relevant authorities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to stop Internet censorship, end the infringement on the right of journalists and citizens to express their views on social networks, stop violating their privacy and pressuring them to reveal their passwords, and to respect freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed in Article 19 of the Palestinian Basic Law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The most significant results of MADA's study was that 67% of Palestinians who participated in answering the questionnaire and who use Facebook believed that Facebook contributes to the promotion of freedom of expression, as opposed to 33% who said it has no contribution. The content analysis of the Palestinian groups on Facebook also showed that there is no culture of accepting the opinion of others and that there is a verbal attack and intolerance during an exchange of views in these groups.
The internal division captured the attention of many, which was dominated by the style of accusations, insults, defamation, treason, and blasphemy during a lot of discussions, this wasted the opportunity of those groups for a peaceful dialogue to discuss a lot of societal issues, and try to promote civil peace, the report said.
MADA said that its report sheds light on the reality of the internet in Palestine and the violations committed against journalists for expressing their opinions on the social networks.
The violations against Facebook users and bloggers confirm that the PA authorities control and follow social networks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with increased monitoring in the last two years after the success of the revolutions in a number of Arab countries, especially Tunisia and Egypt, where youth played a primary role in coordinating and mobilizing the masses through social networks.
MADA called on all relevant authorities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to stop Internet censorship, end the infringement on the right of journalists and citizens to express their views on social networks, stop violating their privacy and pressuring them to reveal their passwords, and to respect freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed in Article 19 of the Palestinian Basic Law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The most significant results of MADA's study was that 67% of Palestinians who participated in answering the questionnaire and who use Facebook believed that Facebook contributes to the promotion of freedom of expression, as opposed to 33% who said it has no contribution. The content analysis of the Palestinian groups on Facebook also showed that there is no culture of accepting the opinion of others and that there is a verbal attack and intolerance during an exchange of views in these groups.
The internal division captured the attention of many, which was dominated by the style of accusations, insults, defamation, treason, and blasphemy during a lot of discussions, this wasted the opportunity of those groups for a peaceful dialogue to discuss a lot of societal issues, and try to promote civil peace, the report said.
5 sept 2013
Palestine News Network (PNN) launched Wednesday, six private community radio networks that aim to support and develop the media, keeping pace with the technological revolution that is taking place in the world.
The ceremony took place at the PNN headquarters in Bethlehem and was attended by representatives of the six new radio networks, Iman Jaradat, representative of Community Media Solutions, Daoud Kuttab, General Director of Community Media Network in Jordan, Zuhair Tmaizeh, Director of Public Relations in the Bethlehem Ministry of Information, Hassan Abd Al-Jawwad, member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate's Administrative Council and Dany Qumsiyeh, director of PNN’s radio networks.
At the beginning of the ceremony, PNN General Manager Monjed Jadou, welcomed the audience and explained the ideas behind and stages of the project, the first of which was the greatly successful Al-Thaheriyeh Radio Network, south of Hebron.
Jadou pointed out the importance of these radio networks, noting that the different institutions, including the Journalists Syndicate and the Ministry of Information, support the idea of establishing community radio networks. He stressed that what matters now the transformation of the verbal support into actions implemented on the ground, and the conversion of these community radio networks into FM radio stations.
The six new radio networks are specialized to focus on important and marginalized issues such as Palestinian refugees, al-Quds, rural areas, agriculture, and issues around youth and women in the Gaza Strip.
Jadou explained that there is an action plan to promote these radio networks and their programs through the PNN website and its partner radio stations. PNN will work to broadcast the community radios’ programs on the eight partner radio stations that currently broadcast PNN programs and news.
Journalists Syndicate Values with the First Project of its kind
Hassan Abd Al-Jawwad, member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate's Administrative Council, said that this project is an important and creative initiative, stressing that the syndicate will continue to support such initiatives and projects carried out by PNN and other news agencies, because of the positive impact they have on media development in Palestine.
Abd Jawwad stated that the syndicate supports Palestinian media that aims to serve and strengthen the society, saying that the involvement of the Gaza Strip within the six new radio networks is proof that the media can continue to unite the Palestinian society.
Ministry of Information Supports the Project
Zuhair Tmaizeh, Director of Public Relations and the Information Ministry, said the ministry was and continues to be one of the largest supporters and facilitators of the various media projects. He said the idea of community radio networks is new for the Palestinian society, and it deserves respect and appreciation because it serves the local communities and particularly the marginalized communities that are often neglected.
Tmaizeh added that the Ministry of Information has been an important factor in developing Palestinian media and ensuring freedom of the press in Palestine.
The Ministry of Information does not practice any supervisory role, but it supports and cooperates to overcome any obstacles that may confront the media institutions, Tmaizeh added.
Tmaizeh expressed his hope for the success of the project, referring to the importance of having colleagues from the Gaza Strip participating in the ceremony and the project via Skype. He felt their participation and cooperation sends the message that Palestine is united, despite the political and physical division.
Tmaizeh acknowledged the Palestinian media in the Gaza Strip who operate in extremely difficult conditions.
Community Media Network in Jordan talks about The new project
Daoud Kuttab, Director General of Community Media Network in Jordan and Community Media Solutions, said that establishing six community radio networks in Palestine is an important achievement.
Kuttab said that the idea of the community radio networks has been implemented in different countries, but it's new to the Arab states. The first project was Aswatuna (Our Voices), which was implemented in seven countries, with PNN was its Palestinian partner, along with Jordan, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, Libya and Egypt through al-Thaheriyeh radio network. He said it was one of the most successful media projects in the Arab world.
He added, the Community Media Network, in cooperation with the Community Media Solutions through the "Our Voices" project that includes community radio networks in seven Arabic countries; including Palestine, seek to develop and expand the concept and idea of the community media.
Kuttab called on the networks to focus on locally important issues and not to compete with the national, Arabic and international media concerning world issues, because the community radio networks are specialized to address the issues of the locals.
Iman Jaradat, Manager of the Community Media Solutions and Project coordinator of the Community Radio Networks in the Arab world, who came from Jordan to attend the ceremony, said that her institution supports the project for the second year in a row.
Jaradat also said that her institution’s backing of the project has two goals: first, to support civil society organizations, media activists and independent journalists for the establishment of media organizations that serve their communities.
The second goal, according to Jaradat, is to effect the legislative, legal, community and economic environment to help these institutions become sustainable.
Jaradat expressed her pleasure that this project is in Palestine and that the Palestinians support it. The Network aims to improve the local media in terms of form and content and plays a major role in developing the capacities of youth and addressing important and marginalized social issues and also shed light on the role of media in developing the society, she added.
Jaradat continued saying the community radio networks strengthen an already positive trend in the local media and play a great role in raising overall production quality. The community radio networks also shed light on the revival of the Palestinian heritage and create connections between the job seekers, graduate trainers and those interested in Media field and the local media institutions to provide jobs and training opportunities.
Jaradat stressed that Community Media Solutions is working on finding funding for these initiatives as well as opening new opportunities to any new and unique initiative for the media through Community Radio Networks.
Jaradat thanked PNN, noting that their cooperation with the network has proven its determination and keenness in seeking the development of media services in Palestine, and praised the efforts of all the institutions that sought and still seeking to use the community media to express and reflect the society's issues and concerns.
Gaza is Present Despite Division
The two journalists Hassan Dohan and Islam al-Burbar from the Gaza Strip participated in the ceremony through Skype. They said that for months they have bee working on implementing the Community Radio Networks project with the cooperation of PNN and Community Media Solutions.
They said that the radio networks are in the center of the Gaza Strip and that they are covering political, local and social news, with a special focus on addressing women and youth issues in the Gaza Strip.
The two journalists thanked PNN and the Community Media Solutions for involving radio networks in Gaza in the project.
Signing of the Contracts
At the end of the ceremony, a contract was signed between the representatives of the six community radio networks and PNN project manager Bishara Kuttab. As the implementation of the project will start in few days and will be published through PNN.
It's worth mentioning that PNN has signed a contract with the Community Media Solutions last year and has close ties with the Community Media Network in Jordan. PNN is a news network that publishes in several languages including: English, French, Spanish, German and Russian and has a number of reporters in several provinces. Additionally, the network broadcasting the news throughout eight private radio stations (FM) and has a TV production department; as it produces programs and documentaries. Six new community radio networks are to be added and will be broadcasting through the internet in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The ceremony took place at the PNN headquarters in Bethlehem and was attended by representatives of the six new radio networks, Iman Jaradat, representative of Community Media Solutions, Daoud Kuttab, General Director of Community Media Network in Jordan, Zuhair Tmaizeh, Director of Public Relations in the Bethlehem Ministry of Information, Hassan Abd Al-Jawwad, member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate's Administrative Council and Dany Qumsiyeh, director of PNN’s radio networks.
At the beginning of the ceremony, PNN General Manager Monjed Jadou, welcomed the audience and explained the ideas behind and stages of the project, the first of which was the greatly successful Al-Thaheriyeh Radio Network, south of Hebron.
Jadou pointed out the importance of these radio networks, noting that the different institutions, including the Journalists Syndicate and the Ministry of Information, support the idea of establishing community radio networks. He stressed that what matters now the transformation of the verbal support into actions implemented on the ground, and the conversion of these community radio networks into FM radio stations.
The six new radio networks are specialized to focus on important and marginalized issues such as Palestinian refugees, al-Quds, rural areas, agriculture, and issues around youth and women in the Gaza Strip.
Jadou explained that there is an action plan to promote these radio networks and their programs through the PNN website and its partner radio stations. PNN will work to broadcast the community radios’ programs on the eight partner radio stations that currently broadcast PNN programs and news.
Journalists Syndicate Values with the First Project of its kind
Hassan Abd Al-Jawwad, member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate's Administrative Council, said that this project is an important and creative initiative, stressing that the syndicate will continue to support such initiatives and projects carried out by PNN and other news agencies, because of the positive impact they have on media development in Palestine.
Abd Jawwad stated that the syndicate supports Palestinian media that aims to serve and strengthen the society, saying that the involvement of the Gaza Strip within the six new radio networks is proof that the media can continue to unite the Palestinian society.
Ministry of Information Supports the Project
Zuhair Tmaizeh, Director of Public Relations and the Information Ministry, said the ministry was and continues to be one of the largest supporters and facilitators of the various media projects. He said the idea of community radio networks is new for the Palestinian society, and it deserves respect and appreciation because it serves the local communities and particularly the marginalized communities that are often neglected.
Tmaizeh added that the Ministry of Information has been an important factor in developing Palestinian media and ensuring freedom of the press in Palestine.
The Ministry of Information does not practice any supervisory role, but it supports and cooperates to overcome any obstacles that may confront the media institutions, Tmaizeh added.
Tmaizeh expressed his hope for the success of the project, referring to the importance of having colleagues from the Gaza Strip participating in the ceremony and the project via Skype. He felt their participation and cooperation sends the message that Palestine is united, despite the political and physical division.
Tmaizeh acknowledged the Palestinian media in the Gaza Strip who operate in extremely difficult conditions.
Community Media Network in Jordan talks about The new project
Daoud Kuttab, Director General of Community Media Network in Jordan and Community Media Solutions, said that establishing six community radio networks in Palestine is an important achievement.
Kuttab said that the idea of the community radio networks has been implemented in different countries, but it's new to the Arab states. The first project was Aswatuna (Our Voices), which was implemented in seven countries, with PNN was its Palestinian partner, along with Jordan, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, Libya and Egypt through al-Thaheriyeh radio network. He said it was one of the most successful media projects in the Arab world.
He added, the Community Media Network, in cooperation with the Community Media Solutions through the "Our Voices" project that includes community radio networks in seven Arabic countries; including Palestine, seek to develop and expand the concept and idea of the community media.
Kuttab called on the networks to focus on locally important issues and not to compete with the national, Arabic and international media concerning world issues, because the community radio networks are specialized to address the issues of the locals.
Iman Jaradat, Manager of the Community Media Solutions and Project coordinator of the Community Radio Networks in the Arab world, who came from Jordan to attend the ceremony, said that her institution supports the project for the second year in a row.
Jaradat also said that her institution’s backing of the project has two goals: first, to support civil society organizations, media activists and independent journalists for the establishment of media organizations that serve their communities.
The second goal, according to Jaradat, is to effect the legislative, legal, community and economic environment to help these institutions become sustainable.
Jaradat expressed her pleasure that this project is in Palestine and that the Palestinians support it. The Network aims to improve the local media in terms of form and content and plays a major role in developing the capacities of youth and addressing important and marginalized social issues and also shed light on the role of media in developing the society, she added.
Jaradat continued saying the community radio networks strengthen an already positive trend in the local media and play a great role in raising overall production quality. The community radio networks also shed light on the revival of the Palestinian heritage and create connections between the job seekers, graduate trainers and those interested in Media field and the local media institutions to provide jobs and training opportunities.
Jaradat stressed that Community Media Solutions is working on finding funding for these initiatives as well as opening new opportunities to any new and unique initiative for the media through Community Radio Networks.
Jaradat thanked PNN, noting that their cooperation with the network has proven its determination and keenness in seeking the development of media services in Palestine, and praised the efforts of all the institutions that sought and still seeking to use the community media to express and reflect the society's issues and concerns.
Gaza is Present Despite Division
The two journalists Hassan Dohan and Islam al-Burbar from the Gaza Strip participated in the ceremony through Skype. They said that for months they have bee working on implementing the Community Radio Networks project with the cooperation of PNN and Community Media Solutions.
They said that the radio networks are in the center of the Gaza Strip and that they are covering political, local and social news, with a special focus on addressing women and youth issues in the Gaza Strip.
The two journalists thanked PNN and the Community Media Solutions for involving radio networks in Gaza in the project.
Signing of the Contracts
At the end of the ceremony, a contract was signed between the representatives of the six community radio networks and PNN project manager Bishara Kuttab. As the implementation of the project will start in few days and will be published through PNN.
It's worth mentioning that PNN has signed a contract with the Community Media Solutions last year and has close ties with the Community Media Network in Jordan. PNN is a news network that publishes in several languages including: English, French, Spanish, German and Russian and has a number of reporters in several provinces. Additionally, the network broadcasting the news throughout eight private radio stations (FM) and has a TV production department; as it produces programs and documentaries. Six new community radio networks are to be added and will be broadcasting through the internet in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
3 sept 2013
By Khalid Amayreh in occupied Palestine
When the Bethlehem-based M'aan News Agency (MNA) was launched in 2005, with generous funding from the Danish, Dutch and UK governments as well as the EU, UNDP, and UNESCO, many Palestinians thought, or more correctly hoped, it would be a qualitative addition to the highly polarized and chronically biased Palestinian media.
Some observers thought the European-funded outlet would soon overcome its numerous problems, including a shocking lack of professionalism, under-trained or untrained staff, serious reportorial flaws and the highly anti-Islamic tendentiousness characterizing the agency's general discourse.
However, eight years on, it seems that the overall performance of M'aan is exacerbating and regressing, almost from every conceivable perspective.
I don't claim to be the ultimate arbiter who determines what is journalistically professional and what is not. However, there is ample evidence indicting MNA for its excessive un-professionalism, biased news writing, and the brazenly scandalous mixing of hard news with personal opinions. One doesn't have to have a Ph.D. in journalism from a prestigious college to detect these flaws.
I am not happy about this sorry state of affair afflicting the agency. I don't think anyone is. Deviation-especially willful deviation-from professional standards and ethics is a cardinal sin in journalism. True journalists must always cling to the timeless journalistic maxim: facts are sacred, comments are free.
Last week, I sought to alert M'aan to the rampant mixing of hard news with personal views by its reporters. I wrote an Arabic piece to that effect entitled ليست بريئة وعليها الالتزام بأخلاق المهنة معا" " وكالة ( The M'aan News Agency is not innocent and must abide by the ethics of the profession) in the hope that the agency would try to fix the serious flaws.
I spoke twice with an official at the agency headquarters in Bethlehem but to no avail. Eventually, M'aan, which promised to publish the article as an opinion piece, reneged on its promise. Ostensibly, the editorial board viewed the piece too damaging to its reputation and image. But the article was published by some Palestinian newspapers and posted on several websites.
This writer can actually present hundreds of examples where M'aan reporters mixed their own views with hard news. This is not an exaggeration. The mixing of hard news with personal views actually constitutes a sort of modus operandi at M'aan. M'aan does this every hour, every day, every week and every month, either willfully or out ignorance or simply due to the absence of accountability.
Consider the following report, published by M'aan on Monday, 25 August, 2013 around noon. The lead paragraph of the Arabic text of report reads:
"دعت الجبهة الديمقراطية وحزب الكرامة الناصري إلى عدم الخلط بين شعب فلسطين وقواه الثورية والديمقراطية وبين أية عناصر فلسطينية يمينية دينية طائفية متخلفة وظلامية منخرطة مع الارهابيين لإعادة مصر إلى الوراء عشرات عشرات السنين."
The translation: Cairo: M'aan news Agency-" The Democratic Front (for the Liberation of Palestine) and the (Egyptian) Nasserist Karama (Dignity) Party called for making a distinction between the people of Palestine and its revolutionary and democratic forces on the one hand- and on the other hand- any rightist Palestinian elements that are religious, sectarian, primitive and obscurant, which are involved with the terrorists, who want to take Egypt back tens tens of years."
Notice the word "tens" was printed twice, which means the report may not have passed through the editorial section or was even seen by the proofreader!
Now, is this type of news writing compatible with the professional standards that journalism students learn in journalism schools and universities? The truth of the matter is this type of news writing has more in common with the performance of the Soviet Communist newspaper, Pravda, or worse, the Nazi Party newspaper, Der Strumer.
Indeed, if M'aan had had a modicum of professionalism it could have placed the offending epithets such as "rightist, sectarian, primitive, obscurant, terrorists, who want to take Egypt back tens of years" between quotation marks so that the reader would know that the words were contained in the communiqué text, and were not the reporter's. But M'aan did nothing of this sort.
Again, this scandalous unprofessional and unethical type of news writing seems to represent the standard, not the exception, at M'aan, which really prompted this writer to write this piece in the first place.
I don't know for sure if this conspicuous flaw is the result of ignorance of professional standards, negligence or clumsiness on M'aan's part. It could be a combination of all of these factors. But, whatever the case may be, M'aan is guilty of violating one of the main golden rules of journalism. I personally wish I could give M'aan the benefit of the doubt. I harbor no grudges or ill-will against the news agency. However, the rampancy of this morbid phenomenon, the mixing of views with hard news, leaves no excuses, justifications or extenuating circumstances that may vindicate M'aan.
I know that a lot of defensive reflexes or furious "counterattacks" will be unleashed against me. But many college students and young journalists are viewing M'aan as an inspiration and an example to be followed.
So, is this the type of journalism ethics that M'aan is trying to inculcate future Palestinian journalists with?
A final word to the donors funding M'aan. I don't recommend you sever funding to the news agency. But I do insist you make it abundantly clear to the agency management that your tax-payer money must not be utilized to foster falsehood, promote hatred and racism against important segments of our people, and especially to undermine the cause of honest and professional journalism in Palestine.
This writer will continue to monitor M'aan's professional performance until the news agency rectifies its unprofessional discourse. I hope this will happen sooner rather than later.
* Khalid Amayreh is an American-educated journalist living in Occupied Palestine.
When the Bethlehem-based M'aan News Agency (MNA) was launched in 2005, with generous funding from the Danish, Dutch and UK governments as well as the EU, UNDP, and UNESCO, many Palestinians thought, or more correctly hoped, it would be a qualitative addition to the highly polarized and chronically biased Palestinian media.
Some observers thought the European-funded outlet would soon overcome its numerous problems, including a shocking lack of professionalism, under-trained or untrained staff, serious reportorial flaws and the highly anti-Islamic tendentiousness characterizing the agency's general discourse.
However, eight years on, it seems that the overall performance of M'aan is exacerbating and regressing, almost from every conceivable perspective.
I don't claim to be the ultimate arbiter who determines what is journalistically professional and what is not. However, there is ample evidence indicting MNA for its excessive un-professionalism, biased news writing, and the brazenly scandalous mixing of hard news with personal opinions. One doesn't have to have a Ph.D. in journalism from a prestigious college to detect these flaws.
I am not happy about this sorry state of affair afflicting the agency. I don't think anyone is. Deviation-especially willful deviation-from professional standards and ethics is a cardinal sin in journalism. True journalists must always cling to the timeless journalistic maxim: facts are sacred, comments are free.
Last week, I sought to alert M'aan to the rampant mixing of hard news with personal views by its reporters. I wrote an Arabic piece to that effect entitled ليست بريئة وعليها الالتزام بأخلاق المهنة معا" " وكالة ( The M'aan News Agency is not innocent and must abide by the ethics of the profession) in the hope that the agency would try to fix the serious flaws.
I spoke twice with an official at the agency headquarters in Bethlehem but to no avail. Eventually, M'aan, which promised to publish the article as an opinion piece, reneged on its promise. Ostensibly, the editorial board viewed the piece too damaging to its reputation and image. But the article was published by some Palestinian newspapers and posted on several websites.
This writer can actually present hundreds of examples where M'aan reporters mixed their own views with hard news. This is not an exaggeration. The mixing of hard news with personal views actually constitutes a sort of modus operandi at M'aan. M'aan does this every hour, every day, every week and every month, either willfully or out ignorance or simply due to the absence of accountability.
Consider the following report, published by M'aan on Monday, 25 August, 2013 around noon. The lead paragraph of the Arabic text of report reads:
"دعت الجبهة الديمقراطية وحزب الكرامة الناصري إلى عدم الخلط بين شعب فلسطين وقواه الثورية والديمقراطية وبين أية عناصر فلسطينية يمينية دينية طائفية متخلفة وظلامية منخرطة مع الارهابيين لإعادة مصر إلى الوراء عشرات عشرات السنين."
The translation: Cairo: M'aan news Agency-" The Democratic Front (for the Liberation of Palestine) and the (Egyptian) Nasserist Karama (Dignity) Party called for making a distinction between the people of Palestine and its revolutionary and democratic forces on the one hand- and on the other hand- any rightist Palestinian elements that are religious, sectarian, primitive and obscurant, which are involved with the terrorists, who want to take Egypt back tens tens of years."
Notice the word "tens" was printed twice, which means the report may not have passed through the editorial section or was even seen by the proofreader!
Now, is this type of news writing compatible with the professional standards that journalism students learn in journalism schools and universities? The truth of the matter is this type of news writing has more in common with the performance of the Soviet Communist newspaper, Pravda, or worse, the Nazi Party newspaper, Der Strumer.
Indeed, if M'aan had had a modicum of professionalism it could have placed the offending epithets such as "rightist, sectarian, primitive, obscurant, terrorists, who want to take Egypt back tens of years" between quotation marks so that the reader would know that the words were contained in the communiqué text, and were not the reporter's. But M'aan did nothing of this sort.
Again, this scandalous unprofessional and unethical type of news writing seems to represent the standard, not the exception, at M'aan, which really prompted this writer to write this piece in the first place.
I don't know for sure if this conspicuous flaw is the result of ignorance of professional standards, negligence or clumsiness on M'aan's part. It could be a combination of all of these factors. But, whatever the case may be, M'aan is guilty of violating one of the main golden rules of journalism. I personally wish I could give M'aan the benefit of the doubt. I harbor no grudges or ill-will against the news agency. However, the rampancy of this morbid phenomenon, the mixing of views with hard news, leaves no excuses, justifications or extenuating circumstances that may vindicate M'aan.
I know that a lot of defensive reflexes or furious "counterattacks" will be unleashed against me. But many college students and young journalists are viewing M'aan as an inspiration and an example to be followed.
So, is this the type of journalism ethics that M'aan is trying to inculcate future Palestinian journalists with?
A final word to the donors funding M'aan. I don't recommend you sever funding to the news agency. But I do insist you make it abundantly clear to the agency management that your tax-payer money must not be utilized to foster falsehood, promote hatred and racism against important segments of our people, and especially to undermine the cause of honest and professional journalism in Palestine.
This writer will continue to monitor M'aan's professional performance until the news agency rectifies its unprofessional discourse. I hope this will happen sooner rather than later.
* Khalid Amayreh is an American-educated journalist living in Occupied Palestine.
1 sept 2013
Komi (right) and Salameh (left)
Israel Channel 7 reported Sunday that the investigative bodies of the Israeli military ignore to investigate the targeting of cameramen working for the Gaza-based Al AqsaTV channel during the recent war on Gaza nine months ago. An Israeli army warplane had targeted a vehicle of Al-Aqsa TV with the emblem of "Press" in November 2012, killing the cameramen Mahmoud Komi and Hassan Salameh on board.
The channel said Israeli army investigators deliberately disregard the journalists and human rights bodies who enquire about the findings of the investigation into the incident.
After nine months now, the army still refuses to give a justification for the targeting of Al-Kumi, 29, married with three children, ages two, four, and five, and Salama, 30, married with four children, ages eight months, two, three, and five.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) requested information from the IDF concerning the attacks on the Aqsa cameramen, the Shawa and Housari Building, the Shoruq Building, and the Naama Building. The IDF replied that it was checking the “details of the events” and would be able to respond once this check is complete without saying when that would be.
Israeli officials sought to justify attacks on Palestinian media by saying the military had targeted individuals or facilities that “had relevance to” or were “linked with” Palestinian resistance groups, but these justifications violate the laws of war and place journalists at grave risk, HRW said on December 20th 2012.
Channel 7 indicated that "the army asked the channel manager not to enquire about the targeting of Komi and Salameh in the future,"
At a press conference, the channel reporter asked an army official about the findings of the investigation who answered "why do you care about Palestinians killed million years ago?
The reporter repeated the question once to another army official in a press conference who said in turn "You do not have a press pass, so excuse me I cannot answer,"
Channel wondered in its report about why not to explain the targeting of the Palestinian cameramen although the army spokesmen unit has hundreds of investigators, speakers, and jurists.
According to its estimates, the channel says "work with the media organizations associate of Hamas movement, and working to expose the Israeli army attacks could be enough a charge to justify killing of the two journalists,"
In an earlier interview with one of the IDF spokesmen, Mark Regev, told Channel 7 that "the Israeli army may target civilians deliberately and directly even if that violates the international law,"
The report questioned "the legality of any missile targeting of a civilian working for the Hamas government, or even a supporter of it,"
"The army indifference to the targeting of journalists and neglecting investigation reflect a culture of lack of accountability and disregard for the Israeli public and the international community." it concluded.
Israel Channel 7 reported Sunday that the investigative bodies of the Israeli military ignore to investigate the targeting of cameramen working for the Gaza-based Al AqsaTV channel during the recent war on Gaza nine months ago. An Israeli army warplane had targeted a vehicle of Al-Aqsa TV with the emblem of "Press" in November 2012, killing the cameramen Mahmoud Komi and Hassan Salameh on board.
The channel said Israeli army investigators deliberately disregard the journalists and human rights bodies who enquire about the findings of the investigation into the incident.
After nine months now, the army still refuses to give a justification for the targeting of Al-Kumi, 29, married with three children, ages two, four, and five, and Salama, 30, married with four children, ages eight months, two, three, and five.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) requested information from the IDF concerning the attacks on the Aqsa cameramen, the Shawa and Housari Building, the Shoruq Building, and the Naama Building. The IDF replied that it was checking the “details of the events” and would be able to respond once this check is complete without saying when that would be.
Israeli officials sought to justify attacks on Palestinian media by saying the military had targeted individuals or facilities that “had relevance to” or were “linked with” Palestinian resistance groups, but these justifications violate the laws of war and place journalists at grave risk, HRW said on December 20th 2012.
Channel 7 indicated that "the army asked the channel manager not to enquire about the targeting of Komi and Salameh in the future,"
At a press conference, the channel reporter asked an army official about the findings of the investigation who answered "why do you care about Palestinians killed million years ago?
The reporter repeated the question once to another army official in a press conference who said in turn "You do not have a press pass, so excuse me I cannot answer,"
Channel wondered in its report about why not to explain the targeting of the Palestinian cameramen although the army spokesmen unit has hundreds of investigators, speakers, and jurists.
According to its estimates, the channel says "work with the media organizations associate of Hamas movement, and working to expose the Israeli army attacks could be enough a charge to justify killing of the two journalists,"
In an earlier interview with one of the IDF spokesmen, Mark Regev, told Channel 7 that "the Israeli army may target civilians deliberately and directly even if that violates the international law,"
The report questioned "the legality of any missile targeting of a civilian working for the Hamas government, or even a supporter of it,"
"The army indifference to the targeting of journalists and neglecting investigation reflect a culture of lack of accountability and disregard for the Israeli public and the international community." it concluded.
31 aug 2013
Israeli Soldiers attacked the weekly nonviolent protest against the Annexation Wall and settlements, in Bil’in village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, leading to dozens of injuries. Soldiers attacked reporters and detained an international journalist.
Dozens of residents, local political leaders, Israeli and international peace activists participated in the protest.
This week’s protest comes in solidarity with the Palestinian detainees, held by Israel, and facing ongoing abuse and violations.
Carrying Palestinian flags and signs, the protesters marched through the village chanting for national unity, liberation and the freedom of all detainees.
Local sources said that the soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, concussion grenades and gas bombs as soon as local, Israeli and international, nonviolent protesters arrived near the Annexation Wall, separating the residents from their lands.
Six Palestinians have been shot by rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs, while dozens have been treated for the effects of teargas inhalation.
Medical sources said that resident Mohammad Abu Rahma, 19, was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet in his right foot, Kifah Mansour, 35, was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left thigh, Mohammad Hamad, 22, was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen, Ahmad Abu Rahma was shot by a gas bomb in the left arm, and Mohammad al-Khatib (only eight years of age) was shot by a gas bomb in the abdomen.
The Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements stressed on the importance of national unity and steadfastness against the aggression of the Israeli occupation.
The Committee denounced the killing of three Palestinians who, on Monday at dawn [August 26] were shot by live fire of an Israeli undercover unit that infiltrated into the Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem. Dozens of residents have been injured.
Dozens of nonviolent protesters suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment by local medics, despite the fact that the army tried to disrupt their work.
Furthermore, the soldiers violently attacked local and international journalists in the area, and detained an international journalist.
In related news, the soldiers soldiers used tear gas, chemical water and rubber-coated steel bullets to attack the weekly protest in the nearby village of Ni’lin.
Residents and their international and Israeli supporters, managed to reach the wall.
At the nearby village of al Nabi Saleh, Israeli soldiers attacked the villagers and their supporters before leaving the village.
Dozens of soldiers also stormed the village and fired gas bombs into resident homes. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In the al Ma’sara village, near Bethlehem, soldiers stopped the villagers and their supporters at village entrance then forced them back using rifle-buts and batons to push people back, no injuries were reported.
Dozens of residents, local political leaders, Israeli and international peace activists participated in the protest.
This week’s protest comes in solidarity with the Palestinian detainees, held by Israel, and facing ongoing abuse and violations.
Carrying Palestinian flags and signs, the protesters marched through the village chanting for national unity, liberation and the freedom of all detainees.
Local sources said that the soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, concussion grenades and gas bombs as soon as local, Israeli and international, nonviolent protesters arrived near the Annexation Wall, separating the residents from their lands.
Six Palestinians have been shot by rubber-coated metal bullets, and gas bombs, while dozens have been treated for the effects of teargas inhalation.
Medical sources said that resident Mohammad Abu Rahma, 19, was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet in his right foot, Kifah Mansour, 35, was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left thigh, Mohammad Hamad, 22, was shot by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the abdomen, Ahmad Abu Rahma was shot by a gas bomb in the left arm, and Mohammad al-Khatib (only eight years of age) was shot by a gas bomb in the abdomen.
The Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements stressed on the importance of national unity and steadfastness against the aggression of the Israeli occupation.
The Committee denounced the killing of three Palestinians who, on Monday at dawn [August 26] were shot by live fire of an Israeli undercover unit that infiltrated into the Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem. Dozens of residents have been injured.
Dozens of nonviolent protesters suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment by local medics, despite the fact that the army tried to disrupt their work.
Furthermore, the soldiers violently attacked local and international journalists in the area, and detained an international journalist.
In related news, the soldiers soldiers used tear gas, chemical water and rubber-coated steel bullets to attack the weekly protest in the nearby village of Ni’lin.
Residents and their international and Israeli supporters, managed to reach the wall.
At the nearby village of al Nabi Saleh, Israeli soldiers attacked the villagers and their supporters before leaving the village.
Dozens of soldiers also stormed the village and fired gas bombs into resident homes. Many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation.
In the al Ma’sara village, near Bethlehem, soldiers stopped the villagers and their supporters at village entrance then forced them back using rifle-buts and batons to push people back, no injuries were reported.
