11 dec 2013
Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) decided to shut down a local radio station in al-Khalil under the pretext of jamming on planes at the Ben-Gurion airport. Director of Dream Radio Station affirmed that the Palestinian liaison office informed the local station of the Israeli decision to storm and close its office under the pretext that its radio signals were affecting communications of planes at Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.
The radio station's staff decided to leave their offices in order to avoid the confiscation of their equipment or their arrest till solving the problem by the Israeli-Palestinian liaison office.
He underlined that Dream Radio Station has been broadcasting in al-Khalil for ten years after obtaining permit from the Palestinian Authority.
The Oslo accords had put controls on the broadcasting of Palestinian radio stations at the pretext of Israeli “security concerns”.
The radio station's staff decided to leave their offices in order to avoid the confiscation of their equipment or their arrest till solving the problem by the Israeli-Palestinian liaison office.
He underlined that Dream Radio Station has been broadcasting in al-Khalil for ten years after obtaining permit from the Palestinian Authority.
The Oslo accords had put controls on the broadcasting of Palestinian radio stations at the pretext of Israeli “security concerns”.
10 dec 2013
Hafez Asakreh, a journalist at Palestine News Network (PNN) received Monday evening a prize ofrom the Arab Reporters For Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), at its annual conference that was held in the Jordanian capital of Amman.
Asakreh conducted an investigative report entitled “The Cans of Death," about the health impacts of illegal pesticides in Palestine, which was among dozens of investigative reports that were nominated for the prize.
Hundreds of journalists from various Arabic countries have competed for this prize and at the end three journalists, Asakreh among them, were announced as the winners, in appreciation for their efforts.
Asakreh conducted a televised investigative report of 24 minutes, in cooperation with the PNN production staff, about the banned agricultural pesticides that were smuggled into the Palestinian market and the effects they had on peoples' health.
The work took a full 6-month period, and Askareh used a scientific method, beginning with a hypothesis and eventually proving it to be true through visual documentation, leaving no room for doubt.
Hafez Asakreh said Palestinian journalists must shed light on issues concerning the Palestinian community, adding that journalism is known as the “fourth authority” in Arabic because it has a responsibility to serve society. The press relies on evidence and proof, and works to document issues in a way to serve the public interest with high professionalism.
Asakreh dedicated his achievement to the Palestinian people, first and foremost President Mahmoud Abbas, also mentioning Palestine News Network (PNN) and its staff for providing technical support, especially cameraman Ali Adani, and the ARIJ Foundation for raising the standards of investigative journalism and for their efforts in making this work succeed.
Monjed Jadou, General-Director of PNN, said that the network is always working to broadcast the right information and to shed light on issues that are of concern to Palestinians, in order to serve the public interest.
Jadou added that the investigative reports have become an integral part of society, adding that it is essential to raise awareness about investigative journalism in Arab countries, and this is what ARIJ always aims to do through their support and development of the idea in cooperation with journalists, individuals and institutions.
Jadou congratulated Asakrah for this award, noting that Asakreh was one of the most committed and active journalists in the competition, and that he worked with a notable degree of professionalism.
Finally, Jadou thanked ARIJ and expressed his hope for more cooperation and communication in the field of investigative reporting to serve the Arab communities through media, which is a tool of protection for societies and an avenue of expressing the different problems they face.
Asakreh conducted an investigative report entitled “The Cans of Death," about the health impacts of illegal pesticides in Palestine, which was among dozens of investigative reports that were nominated for the prize.
Hundreds of journalists from various Arabic countries have competed for this prize and at the end three journalists, Asakreh among them, were announced as the winners, in appreciation for their efforts.
Asakreh conducted a televised investigative report of 24 minutes, in cooperation with the PNN production staff, about the banned agricultural pesticides that were smuggled into the Palestinian market and the effects they had on peoples' health.
The work took a full 6-month period, and Askareh used a scientific method, beginning with a hypothesis and eventually proving it to be true through visual documentation, leaving no room for doubt.
Hafez Asakreh said Palestinian journalists must shed light on issues concerning the Palestinian community, adding that journalism is known as the “fourth authority” in Arabic because it has a responsibility to serve society. The press relies on evidence and proof, and works to document issues in a way to serve the public interest with high professionalism.
Asakreh dedicated his achievement to the Palestinian people, first and foremost President Mahmoud Abbas, also mentioning Palestine News Network (PNN) and its staff for providing technical support, especially cameraman Ali Adani, and the ARIJ Foundation for raising the standards of investigative journalism and for their efforts in making this work succeed.
Monjed Jadou, General-Director of PNN, said that the network is always working to broadcast the right information and to shed light on issues that are of concern to Palestinians, in order to serve the public interest.
Jadou added that the investigative reports have become an integral part of society, adding that it is essential to raise awareness about investigative journalism in Arab countries, and this is what ARIJ always aims to do through their support and development of the idea in cooperation with journalists, individuals and institutions.
Jadou congratulated Asakrah for this award, noting that Asakreh was one of the most committed and active journalists in the competition, and that he worked with a notable degree of professionalism.
Finally, Jadou thanked ARIJ and expressed his hope for more cooperation and communication in the field of investigative reporting to serve the Arab communities through media, which is a tool of protection for societies and an avenue of expressing the different problems they face.
9 dec 2013
A Palestinian photojournalist from East al-Quds (Jerusalem) was denied entry to an event at the Israeli International Convention Center (ICC), Tuesday, after being strip searched and interrogated for 90 minutes, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
Muammar Awad, who works for the Chinese news agency Xinhua and has a press ID issued by the Israeli Government Press Office, was planning to cover the International Bible Contest for Adults at the ICC. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present at the event.
Awad told Haaretz, “I was asked to strip in front of everyone. I took off all my clothes, including my socks and my pants, and was left in my underpants and undershirt.”
The 27 year old has previously covered various events attended by Netanyahu. “There is no explanation other than an intent to humiliate or to prevent me from entering, and there is no security problem, because otherwise how do you explain the fact that I went next to the stage at the memorial for Arik Einstein in Tel Aviv and photographed the prime minister from two meters away?” Awad said, referring to a recent ceremony in Rabin Square.
The Haaretz report continued, describing that Awad has been a photojournalist for eight years, and comes from a well-known family of Jerusalem photographers, however the security guards stopped him when he showed his press and identity cards.
Awad described the interrogation process, saying, “They checked my body with metal detectors. My entire body was shivering from cold and from the feeling of humiliation.” He also said the guards would not let him put on a shirt and did not return his clothing or his equipment until the end of the 90 minute interrogation, when he was told to leave.
“At the main entrance to the building, [a security guard] told me, ‘That’s it, get out of here and you’re not allowed to go in and take photos,’ and handed over a bag with my two cameras, which were dismantled. I was in shock. I almost cried from the humiliation,” Awad told Haaretz.
“I was left outside feeling shocked and insulted, and with the feeling that I don’t plan to go back to this career,” he added.
The Israeli intelligence agency Shit Bet said that Awad was denied entry due to “security reasons,” saying that his answers to the questions “did not satisfy the security guards,” saying there were “significant contradictions” in his responses.
Awad said he was asked “countless” questions, including what time he had woken up that morning. When he said he no longer wanted to cover the event, Awad was told he could not leave until the security check had been completed, and when he asked for the names of his interrogators, and their bosses, they refused to answer.
Muammar Awad, who works for the Chinese news agency Xinhua and has a press ID issued by the Israeli Government Press Office, was planning to cover the International Bible Contest for Adults at the ICC. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present at the event.
Awad told Haaretz, “I was asked to strip in front of everyone. I took off all my clothes, including my socks and my pants, and was left in my underpants and undershirt.”
The 27 year old has previously covered various events attended by Netanyahu. “There is no explanation other than an intent to humiliate or to prevent me from entering, and there is no security problem, because otherwise how do you explain the fact that I went next to the stage at the memorial for Arik Einstein in Tel Aviv and photographed the prime minister from two meters away?” Awad said, referring to a recent ceremony in Rabin Square.
The Haaretz report continued, describing that Awad has been a photojournalist for eight years, and comes from a well-known family of Jerusalem photographers, however the security guards stopped him when he showed his press and identity cards.
Awad described the interrogation process, saying, “They checked my body with metal detectors. My entire body was shivering from cold and from the feeling of humiliation.” He also said the guards would not let him put on a shirt and did not return his clothing or his equipment until the end of the 90 minute interrogation, when he was told to leave.
“At the main entrance to the building, [a security guard] told me, ‘That’s it, get out of here and you’re not allowed to go in and take photos,’ and handed over a bag with my two cameras, which were dismantled. I was in shock. I almost cried from the humiliation,” Awad told Haaretz.
“I was left outside feeling shocked and insulted, and with the feeling that I don’t plan to go back to this career,” he added.
The Israeli intelligence agency Shit Bet said that Awad was denied entry due to “security reasons,” saying that his answers to the questions “did not satisfy the security guards,” saying there were “significant contradictions” in his responses.
Awad said he was asked “countless” questions, including what time he had woken up that morning. When he said he no longer wanted to cover the event, Awad was told he could not leave until the security check had been completed, and when he asked for the names of his interrogators, and their bosses, they refused to answer.
6 dec 2013
Israeli Police stormed on Friday Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Eyewitnesses said that forces from the Israeli police and security guards stormed al-Aqsa mosque and fired tear gas grenades toward the worshipers, causing several Palestinians to suffer suffocation injuries.
The witnesses added that the force surrounded the worshipers inside the mosque, closed the main gate of the mosque with chains. The forces also assaulted a number of journalists.
The Israeli spokesperson, Luba al-Samri, claimed that the Palestinian youths threw stones at the Israeli forces.
Eyewitnesses said that forces from the Israeli police and security guards stormed al-Aqsa mosque and fired tear gas grenades toward the worshipers, causing several Palestinians to suffer suffocation injuries.
The witnesses added that the force surrounded the worshipers inside the mosque, closed the main gate of the mosque with chains. The forces also assaulted a number of journalists.
The Israeli spokesperson, Luba al-Samri, claimed that the Palestinian youths threw stones at the Israeli forces.
5 dec 2013
The Israeli soldiers attacked and assaulted on Wednesday evening a number of journalists and media students while returning to Ramallah from an educational trip in Jericho. Local sources said that the Israeli soldiers beat the journalists and got them off the bus forcibly before searching them in a provocative way.
The Bir Zeit University media students were in an educational trip to al-Jaftlak area in Jericho with Media Director Abdlnasser al-Najjar .
According to the monthly report of the GMO, Israeli occupation forces committed more than 10 violations against Palestinian journalists in last November in the West Bank.
The Bir Zeit University media students were in an educational trip to al-Jaftlak area in Jericho with Media Director Abdlnasser al-Najjar .
According to the monthly report of the GMO, Israeli occupation forces committed more than 10 violations against Palestinian journalists in last November in the West Bank.
3 dec 2013
Israeli police detained on Monday the Palestinian journalist and activist Sabrin Diab, from Haifa, following her participation in Prawer plan protests. Mass protests have been organized in different areas of Palestine occupied in 1948 against Israeli Prawer Plan project that aims to demolish 20 Bedouin villages in the Negev, to displace 70,000 Arab citizens, and to confiscate 500,000 square meters of land belonging to Bedouin Arabs.
In a related context, Palestinian citizens protested in Kafr Kanna town northern Palestinian territories occupied in 1948, on Sunday evening, demanding the release of university student Alaa Badran Taha, who was arrested last Saturday after her participation in the day of rage against Prawer plan.
On the other hand, Israeli security forces continued their arrest campaigns against Palestinian citizens in the Green Line, where four Palestinians were arrested in Negev including three minors under the pretext of throwing stones at Israeli police during Prawer plan protests.
Israeli courts have extended the arrest of dozens of Palestinians under the pretext of participating in protests in several Arab areas in occupied territories of 48.
For its part, Popular Struggle Committee against Prawer Plan in Haifa strongly condemned the Israeli violent suppression of Palestinian protests organized on Saturday in Haifa and Hawara town in Negev.
The committee accused Israeli Special Forces and border police of savagely suppressing peaceful protests organized in Haifa against Prawer plan, noting that more than 1,000 Palestinians have participated in the demonstrations.
Nearly 30 protesters were arrested and many others were injured during the protests, the committee reported.
The Committee charged that several protesters have been severely beaten and sexually harassed and abused by Israeli forces, pointing out that the arrests continued even after the protests.
Five Children Kidnapped In East Jerusalem
The Israeli police said that it arrested five Palestinian children from Sur Baher town, south of occupied East Jerusalem, on suspicion of throwing stones at a settler’s vehicle, causing an injury to a settler’s child.
The police said the incident took place a few days ago, and that the children “confessed” to the crime during the interrogation, and recreated the scene in front of their interrogators. Similar to previous cases involving dozens of detained Palestinian children, no family members or lawyers were present during the interrogation.
Israeli sources said that the police would likely be arresting more children who were either directly involved in the incident or involved in alleged similar attacks.
In related news, soldiers kidnapped a cameraman working for the Maan News Agency at a military roadblock, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Earlier on Tuesday, dozens of soldiers invaded the southern West Bank city of Hebron, kidnapping four Palestinians. The army also installed a military roadblock at the entrance of the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, and several roadblocks close to the Halhoul town, north of the city.
Furthermore, several Israeli settlers attacked several homes in Khirbit Um Al-Kheir village, east of Yatta town south of Hebron.
Another group of settlers from the illegal Etnael settlement invaded Emresh and Raboud villages, south of Doura town, southwest of Hebron, and attacked several homes.
Israel is currently holding captive nearly 4,900 Palestinians, including at least 190 children and 14 women. At least 142 Palestinians are currently held under arbitrary administrative detention orders without charges or trial.
In a related context, Palestinian citizens protested in Kafr Kanna town northern Palestinian territories occupied in 1948, on Sunday evening, demanding the release of university student Alaa Badran Taha, who was arrested last Saturday after her participation in the day of rage against Prawer plan.
On the other hand, Israeli security forces continued their arrest campaigns against Palestinian citizens in the Green Line, where four Palestinians were arrested in Negev including three minors under the pretext of throwing stones at Israeli police during Prawer plan protests.
Israeli courts have extended the arrest of dozens of Palestinians under the pretext of participating in protests in several Arab areas in occupied territories of 48.
For its part, Popular Struggle Committee against Prawer Plan in Haifa strongly condemned the Israeli violent suppression of Palestinian protests organized on Saturday in Haifa and Hawara town in Negev.
The committee accused Israeli Special Forces and border police of savagely suppressing peaceful protests organized in Haifa against Prawer plan, noting that more than 1,000 Palestinians have participated in the demonstrations.
Nearly 30 protesters were arrested and many others were injured during the protests, the committee reported.
The Committee charged that several protesters have been severely beaten and sexually harassed and abused by Israeli forces, pointing out that the arrests continued even after the protests.
Five Children Kidnapped In East Jerusalem
The Israeli police said that it arrested five Palestinian children from Sur Baher town, south of occupied East Jerusalem, on suspicion of throwing stones at a settler’s vehicle, causing an injury to a settler’s child.
The police said the incident took place a few days ago, and that the children “confessed” to the crime during the interrogation, and recreated the scene in front of their interrogators. Similar to previous cases involving dozens of detained Palestinian children, no family members or lawyers were present during the interrogation.
Israeli sources said that the police would likely be arresting more children who were either directly involved in the incident or involved in alleged similar attacks.
In related news, soldiers kidnapped a cameraman working for the Maan News Agency at a military roadblock, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
Earlier on Tuesday, dozens of soldiers invaded the southern West Bank city of Hebron, kidnapping four Palestinians. The army also installed a military roadblock at the entrance of the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, and several roadblocks close to the Halhoul town, north of the city.
Furthermore, several Israeli settlers attacked several homes in Khirbit Um Al-Kheir village, east of Yatta town south of Hebron.
Another group of settlers from the illegal Etnael settlement invaded Emresh and Raboud villages, south of Doura town, southwest of Hebron, and attacked several homes.
Israel is currently holding captive nearly 4,900 Palestinians, including at least 190 children and 14 women. At least 142 Palestinians are currently held under arbitrary administrative detention orders without charges or trial.
2 dec 2013
The Foreign Press Association on Sunday accused the Israeli army of “deliberately targeting” journalists after soldiers fired rubber bullets and threw stun grenades at photojournalists clearly identified as press, Palestine chronicle reported. In a statement, the Tel Aviv-based group, which represents journalists of all foreign media, including AFP, said troops had directly targeted a group of photographers covering clashes at the Qalandia checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah.
“On Friday afternoon, Israeli forces threw stun grenades at FPA photojournalists as they were leaving Qalandia. The FPA members had put their hands in the air, indicating to the forces that they were leaving at which point the grenades were thrown from close quarters directly at their backs,” it said.
Earlier an Italian freelance photographer covering the same incident had almost been hit in the face by a rubber bullet, it said.
“Fortunately the photographer was taking pictures at the time and the rubber bullet shattered the camera instead of his head. All the photographers in question wore clearly-marked jackets and helmets,” the FPA said.
“There is no question that the forces were directly targeting the journalists.”
The army said in a written reply to AFP questions that its soldiers had responded accordingly after protesters hurled fire bombs and rocks at them.
“Throughout the provocation, photojournalists were sighted adjacent and in the midst of the rioters, putting themselves at risk,” it said.
The army’s initial review of the incident involving the Italian freelancer had found that “the rubber bullet which hit the photojournalist’s camera, who was in the vicinity of violent protesters, was not intentionally fired towards him, but part of the riot dispersal means which were aimed at disbanding the protest,” it said.
AFP’s chief photographer Marco Longari said the photographers had been standing under a shelter about 20 meters from Palestinian youths throwing stones, and that the soldiers had suddenly begun firing rubber bullets without first using tear gas or giving any other warning.
“Usually they shoot at the legs, but this was at eye level,” said Longari, pointing out that the photographers had walked past in full view of the soldiers before taking up their position under the shelter.
“The bullet hit the upper part of the camera casing — if he hadn’t been taking a picture, he would have been killed,” he said of the Italian freelancer.
“We showed the camera to the commander and he laughed and said it was a mistake, but you don’t shoot by mistake at eye-level.”
The FPA said it had complained about some 10 such incidents over the past two years, none of which had been properly investigated, adding that the army and the military police had a “dismal track record” for looking into such incidents.
“As far as we know, just two investigations have been launched, with no results. The others have been ignored,” it said.
In February this year, a report by the Turkel Commission into investigations of violations of the laws of armed conflict concluded that there were “structural problems” in the military’s investigative processes, the FPA noted.
“A proper investigation into violence against the media and holding soldiers accountable for their actions would be a very practical first step towards rectifying these problems.”
“On Friday afternoon, Israeli forces threw stun grenades at FPA photojournalists as they were leaving Qalandia. The FPA members had put their hands in the air, indicating to the forces that they were leaving at which point the grenades were thrown from close quarters directly at their backs,” it said.
Earlier an Italian freelance photographer covering the same incident had almost been hit in the face by a rubber bullet, it said.
“Fortunately the photographer was taking pictures at the time and the rubber bullet shattered the camera instead of his head. All the photographers in question wore clearly-marked jackets and helmets,” the FPA said.
“There is no question that the forces were directly targeting the journalists.”
The army said in a written reply to AFP questions that its soldiers had responded accordingly after protesters hurled fire bombs and rocks at them.
“Throughout the provocation, photojournalists were sighted adjacent and in the midst of the rioters, putting themselves at risk,” it said.
The army’s initial review of the incident involving the Italian freelancer had found that “the rubber bullet which hit the photojournalist’s camera, who was in the vicinity of violent protesters, was not intentionally fired towards him, but part of the riot dispersal means which were aimed at disbanding the protest,” it said.
AFP’s chief photographer Marco Longari said the photographers had been standing under a shelter about 20 meters from Palestinian youths throwing stones, and that the soldiers had suddenly begun firing rubber bullets without first using tear gas or giving any other warning.
“Usually they shoot at the legs, but this was at eye level,” said Longari, pointing out that the photographers had walked past in full view of the soldiers before taking up their position under the shelter.
“The bullet hit the upper part of the camera casing — if he hadn’t been taking a picture, he would have been killed,” he said of the Italian freelancer.
“We showed the camera to the commander and he laughed and said it was a mistake, but you don’t shoot by mistake at eye-level.”
The FPA said it had complained about some 10 such incidents over the past two years, none of which had been properly investigated, adding that the army and the military police had a “dismal track record” for looking into such incidents.
“As far as we know, just two investigations have been launched, with no results. The others have been ignored,” it said.
In February this year, a report by the Turkel Commission into investigations of violations of the laws of armed conflict concluded that there were “structural problems” in the military’s investigative processes, the FPA noted.
“A proper investigation into violence against the media and holding soldiers accountable for their actions would be a very practical first step towards rectifying these problems.”
1 dec 2013
Israel occupation forces committed more than 10 violations against Palestinian journalists in last November in the West Bank while PA in Ramallah arrested 10 Journalists, Government Media Office (GMO) reported. According to the monthly report of the GMO, the Israeli troops arrested the journalists Muhannad al- Oudam, Kenana Isa', Mohammed Salim and Malk Al laham, who work for al- Quds site at Za'tarah checkpoint. They had covered the funeral of Hassan al-Turabi before Israeli forces stopped them and sized their equipment.
They also arrested Mohammed Abu- Khudier ,who works for al-Quds newspaper , at Lod Airport after covering the summit of Arab foreign ministers.
Mohammed Enayah, the Palestine TV cameraman suffered of tear gas suffocation when the Israeli forces tried to quell Kufr Qadoum weekly march.
Israel forces also shot two Palestinian journalists while they were covering Bil'in weekly march.
On November 24, Facebook Management Team closed the page of Wattan agency , claiming that it promotes hatred .
On November 27,Israeli forces shot a tear gas grenade at Mohammed Awad , the spokesman of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements.
On November 27, Israel forces shot the cameraman of Palestinian News Agency 'WAFA' , Baha Nasr in his leg during clashes in front of Ofer prison.
The report also reported that the Palestinian authority arrested ten Palestinian journalists from the West Bank and sized the cameras and equipment of others.
They also arrested Mohammed Abu- Khudier ,who works for al-Quds newspaper , at Lod Airport after covering the summit of Arab foreign ministers.
Mohammed Enayah, the Palestine TV cameraman suffered of tear gas suffocation when the Israeli forces tried to quell Kufr Qadoum weekly march.
Israel forces also shot two Palestinian journalists while they were covering Bil'in weekly march.
On November 24, Facebook Management Team closed the page of Wattan agency , claiming that it promotes hatred .
On November 27,Israeli forces shot a tear gas grenade at Mohammed Awad , the spokesman of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements.
On November 27, Israel forces shot the cameraman of Palestinian News Agency 'WAFA' , Baha Nasr in his leg during clashes in front of Ofer prison.
The report also reported that the Palestinian authority arrested ten Palestinian journalists from the West Bank and sized the cameras and equipment of others.
28 nov 2013
The forum of Palestinian journalists staged on Wednesday morning a sit-in outside the Red Cross headquarters in Gaza city in solidarity with the journalists detained in Israeli jails. A galaxy of journalists, officials from human rights groups, the government's information office and the Palestinian NGOs network participated in the event.
Some protestors raised photos of their fellow journalists detained in Israeli jails and banners demanding their immediate release and condemning Israel's persistent violations against the Palestinian journalists.
Head of the forum Imad Efranji stated in a speech during the protest that 14 Palestinian journalists are locked up in Israeli jails without any guilt except their involvement in press activities that highlighted some of the Palestinian people's daily suffering under occupation, their sacrifices and aspirations.
"We are standing today in solidarity with Palestinian journalists languishing in the jails of the Israeli occupation after we have found that no one talks about their issue," Efranji stated.
For her part, Nour, the daughter of the jailed journalist Mohamed Abu Khudair, said in a speech over the phone that the suffering of her father in Israeli jails has been ongoing for more than 20 days.
She affirmed that a secret trial was held against her father, appealing to all Arab and international human rights groups to move to have her father and the other Palestinian journalists released from Israel's prisons.
During the protest, Head of the forum Imad Efranji handed a letter to the director of the Red Cross activities in Gaza to urge the agency to take action to protect the Palestinian journalists against Israel's persistent violation of the freedom of the press.
The letter also emphasized the right of the Palestinian journalists to practice their work without any restrictions and harassment, and denounced their arrest and exposure to maltreatment.
Some protestors raised photos of their fellow journalists detained in Israeli jails and banners demanding their immediate release and condemning Israel's persistent violations against the Palestinian journalists.
Head of the forum Imad Efranji stated in a speech during the protest that 14 Palestinian journalists are locked up in Israeli jails without any guilt except their involvement in press activities that highlighted some of the Palestinian people's daily suffering under occupation, their sacrifices and aspirations.
"We are standing today in solidarity with Palestinian journalists languishing in the jails of the Israeli occupation after we have found that no one talks about their issue," Efranji stated.
For her part, Nour, the daughter of the jailed journalist Mohamed Abu Khudair, said in a speech over the phone that the suffering of her father in Israeli jails has been ongoing for more than 20 days.
She affirmed that a secret trial was held against her father, appealing to all Arab and international human rights groups to move to have her father and the other Palestinian journalists released from Israel's prisons.
During the protest, Head of the forum Imad Efranji handed a letter to the director of the Red Cross activities in Gaza to urge the agency to take action to protect the Palestinian journalists against Israel's persistent violation of the freedom of the press.
The letter also emphasized the right of the Palestinian journalists to practice their work without any restrictions and harassment, and denounced their arrest and exposure to maltreatment.
25 nov 2013
The forum of Palestinian journalists called on the journalists, their unions and the intellectuals in the Arab countries to reject all attempts by the federation of Arab journalists (FAJ) to confer legitimacy on its normalization steps with the Israeli occupation.
The federation of Arab journalists justified the visit of its delegation from Egypt and Oman to the West Bank recently by saying that this visit was not aimed to normalize relations with the occupation. The federation claimed that the Israeli occupation authority did not stamp the passports of its delegates, and declared that its next session would be convened next April in Ramallah city.
The federation of Arab journalists used to criminalize any visit by its members to the Israeli occupied territories and blacklist any member journalist who has ties with Israel or visit the occupied lands.
The forum of Palestinian journalists strongly condemned the federation of Arab journalists for legitimizing such visits and described its new position as a dangerous precedent.
"This decision goes against the policies of all Arab bodies and trade unions which reject any act of normalization with the occupation and refuse to allow any Arab passport to be approved with its seals," the forum emphasized.
It added that the federation has been kidnapped by some individuals who claim to represent it, affirming that these individuals only represent certain security agencies who helped them to kidnap the federation in order to market the relations with the occupation as a national act.
In a separate incident, Al-Watan news agency and TV channel said on Sunday that the private guards of de facto president Mahmoud Abbas kidnapped its cameraman Nael Rajoub and its reporter Ibrahim Ankawi as they were doing a routine job near the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah.
Al-Watan TV reported that it lost contact with its reporters at one o'clock on Sunday afternoon after their cellphones were shut off.
It affirmed that Abbas's guards took the reporters to the PA police which claimed that the intelligence service of Abbas filed a complaint against them because of their presence in a restricted area.
For his part, director of the TV channel Muammar Orabi appealed to the PA to immediately release his reporters, affirming that there were no warning sign telling journalists not to practice their activities in the area.
The federation of Arab journalists justified the visit of its delegation from Egypt and Oman to the West Bank recently by saying that this visit was not aimed to normalize relations with the occupation. The federation claimed that the Israeli occupation authority did not stamp the passports of its delegates, and declared that its next session would be convened next April in Ramallah city.
The federation of Arab journalists used to criminalize any visit by its members to the Israeli occupied territories and blacklist any member journalist who has ties with Israel or visit the occupied lands.
The forum of Palestinian journalists strongly condemned the federation of Arab journalists for legitimizing such visits and described its new position as a dangerous precedent.
"This decision goes against the policies of all Arab bodies and trade unions which reject any act of normalization with the occupation and refuse to allow any Arab passport to be approved with its seals," the forum emphasized.
It added that the federation has been kidnapped by some individuals who claim to represent it, affirming that these individuals only represent certain security agencies who helped them to kidnap the federation in order to market the relations with the occupation as a national act.
In a separate incident, Al-Watan news agency and TV channel said on Sunday that the private guards of de facto president Mahmoud Abbas kidnapped its cameraman Nael Rajoub and its reporter Ibrahim Ankawi as they were doing a routine job near the Palestinian Authority headquarters in Ramallah.
Al-Watan TV reported that it lost contact with its reporters at one o'clock on Sunday afternoon after their cellphones were shut off.
It affirmed that Abbas's guards took the reporters to the PA police which claimed that the intelligence service of Abbas filed a complaint against them because of their presence in a restricted area.
For his part, director of the TV channel Muammar Orabi appealed to the PA to immediately release his reporters, affirming that there were no warning sign telling journalists not to practice their activities in the area.
24 nov 2013
Israeli soldiers have attacked journalists of a Palestinian TV channel in the West Bank village of Billin, Press TV reports.
The soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets directly at the van of the Maan television network’s crew.
Billin is a village near the city of Ramallah that has been encircled by illegal Israeli settlements.
Palestinian activist Osama Baker told Press TV on Saturday that Israeli forces continue to attack and target journalists in the West Bank.
Fares Srafendi, another journalist, told Press TV, “The goal of Israeli army is to attack national and international journalists in an attempt to prevent them from reporting real situation and documenting Israeli crimes against Palestinians people.”
He also called on all local journalists to “unite and gain international support” to put pressure on the Israeli regime to stop attacks on journalists and allow them to freely move in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Since 2000, nearly two dozen Palestinian and international journalists have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to record the situation on the ground.
Israeli soldiers also attacked a group of Palestinian protesters in Billin, shooting 18-year-old Majd Burnat with a rubber bullet in the back. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to the Palestinian journalists syndicate, the Israeli attacks against Palestinian and international journalists is not easing, and without enough international pressure, Tel Aviv will continue to attack journalists with impunity.
The soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets directly at the van of the Maan television network’s crew.
Billin is a village near the city of Ramallah that has been encircled by illegal Israeli settlements.
Palestinian activist Osama Baker told Press TV on Saturday that Israeli forces continue to attack and target journalists in the West Bank.
Fares Srafendi, another journalist, told Press TV, “The goal of Israeli army is to attack national and international journalists in an attempt to prevent them from reporting real situation and documenting Israeli crimes against Palestinians people.”
He also called on all local journalists to “unite and gain international support” to put pressure on the Israeli regime to stop attacks on journalists and allow them to freely move in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Since 2000, nearly two dozen Palestinian and international journalists have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to record the situation on the ground.
Israeli soldiers also attacked a group of Palestinian protesters in Billin, shooting 18-year-old Majd Burnat with a rubber bullet in the back. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to the Palestinian journalists syndicate, the Israeli attacks against Palestinian and international journalists is not easing, and without enough international pressure, Tel Aviv will continue to attack journalists with impunity.
21 nov 2013
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) welcomed in a press release Wednesday, the decision of Ismael Hania, head of Hamas government in Gaza Strip withdraw the complaint against Alarabiya TV yesterday, and Ma'an Agency three days ago (16th November 2013). MADA hopes that the reopening of the offices will lead to enhancing media freedoms in Gaza.
The Attorney General's adviser in Gaza, Ismail Jabr has issued an order based on a complaint by the government 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 rumours and unreal information that is not based on the source of truth that threatens national peace and harms the Palestinian people and its resistance). And then the police detectives confiscated their keys and staffs were banned from entering the offices on 29th July 2013.
MADA demands again for freedom of expression to be respected in Palestine, a right guaranteed in article 19 of the Palestinian basic law, and to create an enabling environment for the journalists and the media outlets to work freely and safely, whether in Gaza or the West Bank.
The Attorney General's adviser in Gaza, Ismail Jabr has issued an order based on a complaint by the government 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 rumours and unreal information that is not based on the source of truth that threatens national peace and harms the Palestinian people and its resistance). And then the police detectives confiscated their keys and staffs were banned from entering the offices on 29th July 2013.
MADA demands again for freedom of expression to be respected in Palestine, a right guaranteed in article 19 of the Palestinian basic law, and to create an enabling environment for the journalists and the media outlets to work freely and safely, whether in Gaza or the West Bank.
17 nov 2013
Demonstration against the occupation, Al Khader, West Bank, 15.11.2013
On Friday Israeli troops shot and injured 17 civilians with so-called 'non-lethal' ammunition. Among those injured were children and journalists, who were present during anti wall and settlements protests that were organized at a number of West Bank communities.
Fourteen residents among them six children and a journalist were injured when troops attacked the weekly anti wall protest at the northern West Bank village of Kufer Kadum. Troops attacked protesters at the village entrance. All the injured were hit by rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli soldiers.
In central West Bank, protests were organized in the villages of Bil’in, al Nabi Saleh and Nil’in. Residents and their international supporters from Bil’in and Nil’in villages managed to reach the Israeli wall before they were attacked by Israeli soldiers.
Meanwhile Israeli troops attacked the protest in al Nabi Saleh before even leaving the village and later invaded residents homes and fired tear gas inside.
Three residents and a journalist were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli troops in the village of Bil’in. In al Nabi Saleh and Nil’in many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation due to Israeli soldiers attack.
Earlier on Friday morning in the central West Bank, local activists managed to demolish parts of the Israeli wall near the village of Bier Nibala. The international court of Justice in 2004 deemed the Israeli wall built around the West Bank as illegal and said that it should be demolished.
Elsewhere, at al Ma’ssara village, Israeli troops stopped the villagers and their supporters at the village entrance then forced them back using rifle buts and batons, no injuries were reported.
On Friday Israeli troops shot and injured 17 civilians with so-called 'non-lethal' ammunition. Among those injured were children and journalists, who were present during anti wall and settlements protests that were organized at a number of West Bank communities.
Fourteen residents among them six children and a journalist were injured when troops attacked the weekly anti wall protest at the northern West Bank village of Kufer Kadum. Troops attacked protesters at the village entrance. All the injured were hit by rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli soldiers.
In central West Bank, protests were organized in the villages of Bil’in, al Nabi Saleh and Nil’in. Residents and their international supporters from Bil’in and Nil’in villages managed to reach the Israeli wall before they were attacked by Israeli soldiers.
Meanwhile Israeli troops attacked the protest in al Nabi Saleh before even leaving the village and later invaded residents homes and fired tear gas inside.
Three residents and a journalist were injured by rubber-coated steel bullets fired by Israeli troops in the village of Bil’in. In al Nabi Saleh and Nil’in many were treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation due to Israeli soldiers attack.
Earlier on Friday morning in the central West Bank, local activists managed to demolish parts of the Israeli wall near the village of Bier Nibala. The international court of Justice in 2004 deemed the Israeli wall built around the West Bank as illegal and said that it should be demolished.
Elsewhere, at al Ma’ssara village, Israeli troops stopped the villagers and their supporters at the village entrance then forced them back using rifle buts and batons, no injuries were reported.
15 nov 2013
Dozens of journalists organized on Thursday afternoon a sit-in outside PA headquarters in Ramallah, protesting PA forces' continued violations and abuses against them over the past few days in West Bank. The protested journalists chanted during the sit-in slogans against PA forces' escalated arrests and summons against them, condemning PA forces' restrictions on their journalist work.
One of the sit-in organizers, the journalist Sami Saadi, who was held yesterday for more than 13 hours in PA Preventive Security prison in Tulkarem, confirmed that his detention was due to his comments on Facebook social network criticizing the PA arrest campaign in Jenin camp, and Saeb Erekat, head of the Palestinian delegation for peace negotiations with the Israelis. He pointed out that he was interrogated also for his work with Watan TV Channel.
He was charged for criticizing important personality in reference to Saeb Erekat where he was forced to vow not to criticize or incite against PA or its leaders.
He was then released after midnight.
For his part, Omar Nazzal, member of the journalists' union, stated that the sit-in came to express their total rejection of PA forces' attacks, arrests, and abuses against journalists, saying that their houses are subjected to violent raids carried out by PA security forces in addition to the confiscation of their journalist equipment.
He demanded security services to protect journalists for Israeli daily attacks and arrests instead of persecuting them.
Nazzal called on Palestinian Judiciary to protect law and to achieve justice by maintaining journalists' rights and freedom and not by interrogating and imprisoning them.
The PA head of government d. Rami Alhamdillah vowed to investigate the journalists' complaints and violations against them.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed to PIC that Palestinian Journalist Union has not participated in the sit-in, the fact that proves the state of disharmony between a large number of journalists and the union, which is supposed to represent them officially.
The protesting journalists accused Journalist Union of covering PA security forces' violations against journalists.
The journalists threatened to escalate their protests against the union in case of not meeting their demands topped by the resignation of the union chairman and members of the Bar Council.
One of the sit-in organizers, the journalist Sami Saadi, who was held yesterday for more than 13 hours in PA Preventive Security prison in Tulkarem, confirmed that his detention was due to his comments on Facebook social network criticizing the PA arrest campaign in Jenin camp, and Saeb Erekat, head of the Palestinian delegation for peace negotiations with the Israelis. He pointed out that he was interrogated also for his work with Watan TV Channel.
He was charged for criticizing important personality in reference to Saeb Erekat where he was forced to vow not to criticize or incite against PA or its leaders.
He was then released after midnight.
For his part, Omar Nazzal, member of the journalists' union, stated that the sit-in came to express their total rejection of PA forces' attacks, arrests, and abuses against journalists, saying that their houses are subjected to violent raids carried out by PA security forces in addition to the confiscation of their journalist equipment.
He demanded security services to protect journalists for Israeli daily attacks and arrests instead of persecuting them.
Nazzal called on Palestinian Judiciary to protect law and to achieve justice by maintaining journalists' rights and freedom and not by interrogating and imprisoning them.
The PA head of government d. Rami Alhamdillah vowed to investigate the journalists' complaints and violations against them.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed to PIC that Palestinian Journalist Union has not participated in the sit-in, the fact that proves the state of disharmony between a large number of journalists and the union, which is supposed to represent them officially.
The protesting journalists accused Journalist Union of covering PA security forces' violations against journalists.
The journalists threatened to escalate their protests against the union in case of not meeting their demands topped by the resignation of the union chairman and members of the Bar Council.
12 nov 2013
Image By Radio Bethlehem 2000
Israeli soldiers attacked on Monday [November 11 2013] several Palestinian and visiting Australian journalists visiting the Aida refugee camp, north of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that the visiting journalists wanted to visit the camp to have a clear idea of the suffering of the refugees, and their living conditions.
WAFA added that visiting journalists were documenting clashes between a number of local youths and Israeli soldiers, and that the army deliberately targeted the journalists in an attempt to force them out of the camp.
The army claimed several youths threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed in the fortified military tower, near the Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque in the camp.
Talking to the visiting journalists, Mohammad Lufty of the Aida Social Youth Center explained the daily hardships, and Israeli military violations the refugees face.
Israeli soldiers attacked on Monday [November 11 2013] several Palestinian and visiting Australian journalists visiting the Aida refugee camp, north of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) has reported that the visiting journalists wanted to visit the camp to have a clear idea of the suffering of the refugees, and their living conditions.
WAFA added that visiting journalists were documenting clashes between a number of local youths and Israeli soldiers, and that the army deliberately targeted the journalists in an attempt to force them out of the camp.
The army claimed several youths threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed in the fortified military tower, near the Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque in the camp.
Talking to the visiting journalists, Mohammad Lufty of the Aida Social Youth Center explained the daily hardships, and Israeli military violations the refugees face.
11 nov 2013
George Qanawati, Director Radio Bethlehem 2000
Radio Bethlehem 2000 announced on Monday that its director George Qanawati, was beaten up and tortured while being under police custody.
Qanawati was arrested by Palestinian police and secret service officers from his home in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Sunday night.
According to his neighbors, officers stormed his home violently searched it then attacked Qanawati and his family slightly injuring his mother during the arrest.
Today Qanawati appeared in the local court in Bethlehem city; according to radio Bethlehem 2000 he was seen beaten up and tortured. His lawyer was not allowed to attend the court hearing with him, witnesses added.
The radio station on its website announced that the police accused Qanawati of slander and public insulate of officials during his weekly show Amar Yabalad – building our country in English.
Qanawati’s show focuses in bring forth residents concerns and problems and try to address them in public debate between officials and residents every Thursday.
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms – MADA - demanded on Monday the immediate release of Qanawati.
In a press statement MADA said that “The arrest of colleague Qanawati and beating him constitutes a serious violation of media freedoms and condemned action , and we reiterate our demand for his immediate release and respect for freedom of expression in Palestine.”
At the end of the court hearing today the judge extended the detention of Qanawati for additional 48 hours for further investigation.
Radio Bethlehem 2000 announced on Monday that its director George Qanawati, was beaten up and tortured while being under police custody.
Qanawati was arrested by Palestinian police and secret service officers from his home in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Sunday night.
According to his neighbors, officers stormed his home violently searched it then attacked Qanawati and his family slightly injuring his mother during the arrest.
Today Qanawati appeared in the local court in Bethlehem city; according to radio Bethlehem 2000 he was seen beaten up and tortured. His lawyer was not allowed to attend the court hearing with him, witnesses added.
The radio station on its website announced that the police accused Qanawati of slander and public insulate of officials during his weekly show Amar Yabalad – building our country in English.
Qanawati’s show focuses in bring forth residents concerns and problems and try to address them in public debate between officials and residents every Thursday.
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms – MADA - demanded on Monday the immediate release of Qanawati.
In a press statement MADA said that “The arrest of colleague Qanawati and beating him constitutes a serious violation of media freedoms and condemned action , and we reiterate our demand for his immediate release and respect for freedom of expression in Palestine.”
At the end of the court hearing today the judge extended the detention of Qanawati for additional 48 hours for further investigation.
9 nov 2013
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed at dawn Saturday the city of Jenin, where they raided several neighborhoods and erected military checkpoints. Local sources said that several military vehicles stormed Jenin and broke into the house of the citizen Samir Aboul Hassan, 24, then arrested him and took him to an unknown destination.
The locals reported that the Israeli forces roamed the streets of the city and fired bullets and stun grenades.
The IOF also arrested at dawn Friday four Palestinians including two brothers during a raid on the city of al-Khalil and Beit Ummar village.
Israeli sources claimed that the soldiers arrested two young men from the city possessing weapons and ammunition, while local sources said that the occupation forces arrested the two brothers and their father after raiding and searching their home.
For his part, the activist Mohammed Awad from Beit Ummar village said the IOF stormed the town at dawn and searched several houses, and then arrested Suhaib Abu Maria, aged 24, and took him to an unknown destination.
In another incident, the Israeli police arrested on Friday the Jerusalemite journalist Mohammed Abu Khudair at the Lod airport (Ben-Gurion) in the 1948 occupied territories, after his return from Egypt.
Local sources said the police extended his detention for 13 days and prevented him from meeting his lawyer.
They also reported that after the arrest, the Israeli policemen stormed Abu Khudair's house in Jerusalem and seized some devices.
The locals reported that the Israeli forces roamed the streets of the city and fired bullets and stun grenades.
The IOF also arrested at dawn Friday four Palestinians including two brothers during a raid on the city of al-Khalil and Beit Ummar village.
Israeli sources claimed that the soldiers arrested two young men from the city possessing weapons and ammunition, while local sources said that the occupation forces arrested the two brothers and their father after raiding and searching their home.
For his part, the activist Mohammed Awad from Beit Ummar village said the IOF stormed the town at dawn and searched several houses, and then arrested Suhaib Abu Maria, aged 24, and took him to an unknown destination.
In another incident, the Israeli police arrested on Friday the Jerusalemite journalist Mohammed Abu Khudair at the Lod airport (Ben-Gurion) in the 1948 occupied territories, after his return from Egypt.
Local sources said the police extended his detention for 13 days and prevented him from meeting his lawyer.
They also reported that after the arrest, the Israeli policemen stormed Abu Khudair's house in Jerusalem and seized some devices.
5 nov 2013
Israeli forces raided the city of Tulkarem and interrogated a number of Palestinian men in Dwar Shweika area. No reasons were revealed for the interrogations.
Media sources said that Israeli forces prevented journalists from reaching the area to shoot the event, adding that the Israeli forces stormed the city for the second day in a row.
Media sources said that Israeli forces prevented journalists from reaching the area to shoot the event, adding that the Israeli forces stormed the city for the second day in a row.
3 nov 2013
Israeli occupation forces committed 13 violations against Palestinian journalists during last October , Government Media Office(GMO) reported. According to the monthly report of the GMO, the Israeli troops arrested seven journalists and cameramen in the West Bank. In addition to that the Israeli court confirmed the administrative detention against the journalists : Mohammed Mennah, the reporter of Quds Press agency and Osamah Shaheen, the director of detainees center for studies.
Four journalists were injured when the Israeli forces targeted them during performing their jobs .The journalists are: Amjad Shoman and Isar al-Barghothi, both of them worked for Watan TV, in addition to the cameramen Mohammed Yassin and Abed al-Qader abu Rahma.
The report said that the Israeli intelligence prevented a Palestinian prèss conference in Jerusalem about negotiations and the latest aggression against al-Aqsa Mosque.
Four journalists were injured when the Israeli forces targeted them during performing their jobs .The journalists are: Amjad Shoman and Isar al-Barghothi, both of them worked for Watan TV, in addition to the cameramen Mohammed Yassin and Abed al-Qader abu Rahma.
The report said that the Israeli intelligence prevented a Palestinian prèss conference in Jerusalem about negotiations and the latest aggression against al-Aqsa Mosque.
30 oct 2013
An Israeli court has ordered the administrative detention of Palestinian journalist Mohamed Mouna, the Quds Press News correspondent, for six months rejecting his appeal for release. Ofer Military Court has approved the administrative detention of Journalist Mouna without charge or trial till February 2014, refusing his release or to reduce his detention period.
The journalist's family confirmed that the IOA still refuses family visits and winter clothes for their son since his arrest three months ago.
The Quds Press' reporter was arrested when an Israeli military force stormed his house in Nablus on Aug.17, 2013 and took him brutally to a military vehicle.
Eight days later, Mouna was transferred to administrative detention for six months without charge.
The journalist's family confirmed that the IOA still refuses family visits and winter clothes for their son since his arrest three months ago.
The Quds Press' reporter was arrested when an Israeli military force stormed his house in Nablus on Aug.17, 2013 and took him brutally to a military vehicle.
Eight days later, Mouna was transferred to administrative detention for six months without charge.
26 oct 2013
Citizens and foreign activists were treated for breathing difficulty after Israeli occupation forces (IOF) used teargas to disperse peaceful marches in support of prisoners and Jerusalem in various West Bank areas on Friday. Local sources said that IOF soldiers fired rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, and teargas to break up a peaceful march for citizens of Nabi Saleh village in Ramallah.
They said that the citizens, accompanied by foreign solidarity activists, tried to reach their land, threatened with confiscation, in a bid to harvest their olive crops but were confronted with a shower of teargas and rubber bullets.
In Bilin village, a cameraman and a teenager were hit with rubber bullets when the soldiers fired at a demonstration heading to village land near to the racist, separation wall.
Locals said that cameraman Mohammed Yassin with hit with a bullet in his back while the teenager Abdulqader Abu Rahme was hit in his foot, adding that scores were treated for breathing problems due to the Israeli soldiers’ extensive use of teargas.
They said that vast tracts of cultivated land caught fire due to the IOF use of teargas, adding that Palestinian firefighters put down the blaze.
IOF soldiers quelled the weekly march against settlement activity and the racist, separation wall in Ma’sara village in Bethlehem.
Activist Hasan Breijeh said that the soldiers beat up the participants and tried to arrest a number of them.
Meanwhile, five youngsters aged 15 to 20 years old were slightly injured in confrontations in Beit Ummar village in Al-Khalil, Mohammed Awad, the coordinator of the village’s anti-wall committee, said.
He said that the soldiers fired teargas and sound bombs at a funeral causing suffocation among many participants.
Awad said that the soldiers deliberately fired teargas at citizens’ homes and a nearby school.
In another incident, Jewish settlers chopped down 30 olive trees in Hawara village, south of Nablus, on Friday.
Ghassan Daghlas, an anti-settlement activist, said that settlers from Yitzhar settlement cut off the fruitful trees in northern Hawara.
They said that the citizens, accompanied by foreign solidarity activists, tried to reach their land, threatened with confiscation, in a bid to harvest their olive crops but were confronted with a shower of teargas and rubber bullets.
In Bilin village, a cameraman and a teenager were hit with rubber bullets when the soldiers fired at a demonstration heading to village land near to the racist, separation wall.
Locals said that cameraman Mohammed Yassin with hit with a bullet in his back while the teenager Abdulqader Abu Rahme was hit in his foot, adding that scores were treated for breathing problems due to the Israeli soldiers’ extensive use of teargas.
They said that vast tracts of cultivated land caught fire due to the IOF use of teargas, adding that Palestinian firefighters put down the blaze.
IOF soldiers quelled the weekly march against settlement activity and the racist, separation wall in Ma’sara village in Bethlehem.
Activist Hasan Breijeh said that the soldiers beat up the participants and tried to arrest a number of them.
Meanwhile, five youngsters aged 15 to 20 years old were slightly injured in confrontations in Beit Ummar village in Al-Khalil, Mohammed Awad, the coordinator of the village’s anti-wall committee, said.
He said that the soldiers fired teargas and sound bombs at a funeral causing suffocation among many participants.
Awad said that the soldiers deliberately fired teargas at citizens’ homes and a nearby school.
In another incident, Jewish settlers chopped down 30 olive trees in Hawara village, south of Nablus, on Friday.
Ghassan Daghlas, an anti-settlement activist, said that settlers from Yitzhar settlement cut off the fruitful trees in northern Hawara.
