7 sept 2017
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Government Press Office (GPO) to remove al-Jazeera's Jerusalem bureau chief Walid al-Omari from a state-sponsored seminar on freedom of speech planned for Thursday, Haaretz reported.
"The prime minister instructed that legal steps be taken to deny press passes of all al-Jazeera journalists working in Israel and to close their offices in Israel," the GPO announced in a Facebook post.
Minister of Communications Ayoub Kara explained on Thursday morning Netanyahu's decision not to allow Walid Al-Omari, director of al-Jazeera in Israel to participate in a seminar organized by the Government Press Office entitled "The Limits of Freedom of Expression: The Dilemma between State Security and Freedom of the Press: Al-Jazeera TV as a Case Study."
Interviewed by Israel public radio, Kara said, "Al-Jazeera is not on the border of freedom of expression, but has crossed it long ago in the direction of our enemies." The Likud lawmaker added, "This insolent Walid al-Omari, the director of al-Jazeera, talks about freedom of expression but does everything to create resistance terrorism."
Last month, the GPO announced its intentions to revoke the press accreditation of an Israeli al-Jazeera correspondent over comments he made on another TV network last year.
The GPO cited an interview Karram gave on a TV network identified with the Muslim Brotherhood, in which he said his journalistic work is part of his contribution to Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation.
The Union of Journalists in Israel blasted the GPO's intention to revoke Karram's press permit, calling it an "intolerable move in a democracy."
Earlier this summer, senior Foreign Ministry officials warned at a National Security Council meeting that imposing sanctions on al-Jazeera would damage Israel's image overseas.
"The prime minister instructed that legal steps be taken to deny press passes of all al-Jazeera journalists working in Israel and to close their offices in Israel," the GPO announced in a Facebook post.
Minister of Communications Ayoub Kara explained on Thursday morning Netanyahu's decision not to allow Walid Al-Omari, director of al-Jazeera in Israel to participate in a seminar organized by the Government Press Office entitled "The Limits of Freedom of Expression: The Dilemma between State Security and Freedom of the Press: Al-Jazeera TV as a Case Study."
Interviewed by Israel public radio, Kara said, "Al-Jazeera is not on the border of freedom of expression, but has crossed it long ago in the direction of our enemies." The Likud lawmaker added, "This insolent Walid al-Omari, the director of al-Jazeera, talks about freedom of expression but does everything to create resistance terrorism."
Last month, the GPO announced its intentions to revoke the press accreditation of an Israeli al-Jazeera correspondent over comments he made on another TV network last year.
The GPO cited an interview Karram gave on a TV network identified with the Muslim Brotherhood, in which he said his journalistic work is part of his contribution to Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation.
The Union of Journalists in Israel blasted the GPO's intention to revoke Karram's press permit, calling it an "intolerable move in a democracy."
Earlier this summer, senior Foreign Ministry officials warned at a National Security Council meeting that imposing sanctions on al-Jazeera would damage Israel's image overseas.
4 sept 2017
Just days after Israeli soldiers invaded and shut down a Radio station in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian security officers arrested Ayman al-Qawasmi, the executive head of the al-Hureyia Media Network, who strongly denounced the Palestinian Authority, President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, for failing to protect their people.
Al-Qawasmi was taken prisoner, Sunday, apparently for his Facebook statement demanding President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Hebron governor, Kamel Hmeid, and many other officials to submit their resignations for their inability to protect their people.
His statements came when Israeli soldiers invaded the radio station, and ordered it shut, after violently searching and ransacking it.
The invasion targeted al-Huriya Media Network, which runs Manbar al-Huriya Radio Station and Nawras TV, in Hebron.
During the invasion, the soldiers confiscated equipment from the media agency, and ordered it shut for six months.
The Israeli army said its invasion, and closure of the media network, was part of what it called “Israel’s campaign against incitement,” and claimed that the agency “encourages acts of terror.”
In his video statement after the army shut the station down, al-Qawasmi said the station is active in providing help to the needy, aiding the disabled, and giving a voice to the voiceless Palestinians, and does not engage in any forms of violence or incitement in any way shape or form.
Al-Qawasmi was taken prisoner, Sunday, apparently for his Facebook statement demanding President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Hebron governor, Kamel Hmeid, and many other officials to submit their resignations for their inability to protect their people.
His statements came when Israeli soldiers invaded the radio station, and ordered it shut, after violently searching and ransacking it.
The invasion targeted al-Huriya Media Network, which runs Manbar al-Huriya Radio Station and Nawras TV, in Hebron.
During the invasion, the soldiers confiscated equipment from the media agency, and ordered it shut for six months.
The Israeli army said its invasion, and closure of the media network, was part of what it called “Israel’s campaign against incitement,” and claimed that the agency “encourages acts of terror.”
In his video statement after the army shut the station down, al-Qawasmi said the station is active in providing help to the needy, aiding the disabled, and giving a voice to the voiceless Palestinians, and does not engage in any forms of violence or incitement in any way shape or form.
31 aug 2017
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Thursday at dawn, the southern West Bank city of Hebron, before storming into al-Hureyia radio and media network, in addition to the Nawras TV, violently searched them, causing excessive damage, and shut them down for six months.
The army ordered the media network shut for six months, until February 14, 2018, after ransacking and violently searching it, causing serious damage.
Ayman al-Qawasmi, the executive head of the al-Hureyia Media Network, stated that this was the fourth consecutive time the army shuts it down, and added that Israel is trying to silence the media and the pretext of “harassment.”
He added that 56 families earn their livelihood through this station, and voiced a message to President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah, stating:
“This is happening in front of you, my message to President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister, Rami al-Hamdallah, Hebron Governor Kamel Hmeid, and other officials, is to submit their resignations, and stay at home, because they are unable to protect the media in Palestine.”
“If the head of the Journalists Syndicate, the Prime Minister, the President, and the governor of Hebron cannot protect us; they need to resign,” he stated, “this media network is in an area that is under the complete control of the Palestinian Authority, yet; they remain silent, and cannot protect is. We have nothing to do with incitement; we try to deliver the message of the simple people in need to the officials. We try to be the voice of the voiceless, and that is why we keep getting attack and harassed.”
“We are not surprised by his savage behavior of the Israeli army, and its collaborators; they want to silence us; they are all conspiring against us,” he said, “If helping the people and aiding them is considered incitement, then we are proud of it. Our main role is to deliver the message and appeals of the ordinary people to the officials. As for incitement, let them show us one instance of incitement; all our programming is archived, and we have nothing to hide.”
15 Palestinians kidnapped by Israeli forces on eve of Eid AI-Edhha
At least 15 Palestinians were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from the West Bank at daybreak on Thursday.
Four Palestinian young men were kidnapped by the IOF from Nablus province. Another youth sustained leg injuries in clashes that burst out shortly after the occupation troops rolled into the area.
A number of Palestinian protesters choked on teargas moments after the occupation troops stormed Qalqilya province.
The IOF further wreaked havoc on civilian homes and subjected the residents to intensive questioning.
Meanwhile, Israeli military troops stormed Zabouba town, west of Jenin, and set up a military checkpoint, where Palestinian civilians were subjected to harsh crackdowns.
The Israeli army claimed, in a statement, responsibility for the abduction of 15 Palestinians at the crack of dawn.
At the same time, the occupation soldiers stormed the office of al-Hurriya radio station in al-Khalil and ruled that it be closed for six months.
The Israeli troops seized broadcasters, cameras, laptops, and audio devices. They further blew up the gates of two closed rooms in the office.
Director of al-Hurriya radio station said the seized equipment is worth over $400,000.
The army ordered the media network shut for six months, until February 14, 2018, after ransacking and violently searching it, causing serious damage.
Ayman al-Qawasmi, the executive head of the al-Hureyia Media Network, stated that this was the fourth consecutive time the army shuts it down, and added that Israel is trying to silence the media and the pretext of “harassment.”
He added that 56 families earn their livelihood through this station, and voiced a message to President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah, stating:
“This is happening in front of you, my message to President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister, Rami al-Hamdallah, Hebron Governor Kamel Hmeid, and other officials, is to submit their resignations, and stay at home, because they are unable to protect the media in Palestine.”
“If the head of the Journalists Syndicate, the Prime Minister, the President, and the governor of Hebron cannot protect us; they need to resign,” he stated, “this media network is in an area that is under the complete control of the Palestinian Authority, yet; they remain silent, and cannot protect is. We have nothing to do with incitement; we try to deliver the message of the simple people in need to the officials. We try to be the voice of the voiceless, and that is why we keep getting attack and harassed.”
“We are not surprised by his savage behavior of the Israeli army, and its collaborators; they want to silence us; they are all conspiring against us,” he said, “If helping the people and aiding them is considered incitement, then we are proud of it. Our main role is to deliver the message and appeals of the ordinary people to the officials. As for incitement, let them show us one instance of incitement; all our programming is archived, and we have nothing to hide.”
15 Palestinians kidnapped by Israeli forces on eve of Eid AI-Edhha
At least 15 Palestinians were kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) from the West Bank at daybreak on Thursday.
Four Palestinian young men were kidnapped by the IOF from Nablus province. Another youth sustained leg injuries in clashes that burst out shortly after the occupation troops rolled into the area.
A number of Palestinian protesters choked on teargas moments after the occupation troops stormed Qalqilya province.
The IOF further wreaked havoc on civilian homes and subjected the residents to intensive questioning.
Meanwhile, Israeli military troops stormed Zabouba town, west of Jenin, and set up a military checkpoint, where Palestinian civilians were subjected to harsh crackdowns.
The Israeli army claimed, in a statement, responsibility for the abduction of 15 Palestinians at the crack of dawn.
At the same time, the occupation soldiers stormed the office of al-Hurriya radio station in al-Khalil and ruled that it be closed for six months.
The Israeli troops seized broadcasters, cameras, laptops, and audio devices. They further blew up the gates of two closed rooms in the office.
Director of al-Hurriya radio station said the seized equipment is worth over $400,000.
30 aug 2017
Israel’s government press office backtracked on an earlier decision to revoke the credentials of al-Jazeera journalist Elias Karam, Israeli sources revealed.
Jerusalem Post daily quoted Amir Rosenblum, the council’s secretary-general, as stating that the office “was leaning toward stepping back from its plan” to revoke Karam’s press card after the reporter rejected the use of violence during a hearing held for him recently.
Karam had been threatened with having his credentials lifted due to an interview he gave to the Muslim Brotherhood television station, Dar al-Iman, in May.
"As a Palestinian journalist who is in an occupied area or a conflict area, journalistic work is an integral part of the resistance and of political and educational action,” he said then.
“A journalist fulfills his role in the resistance through his pen, voice or camera, because he is part of this nation and is resisting in his unique way,” he added.
Karam, 40, is a Palestinian journalist who lives in Nazareth, and has had a press card as an al-Jazeera reporter since 2011.
Karam’s remarks had been sent to the government press office in mid-August as part of the government’s threat to shut down the Qatari-owned news station, which Israel accuses of inciting violence against Jews.
Jerusalem Post daily quoted Amir Rosenblum, the council’s secretary-general, as stating that the office “was leaning toward stepping back from its plan” to revoke Karam’s press card after the reporter rejected the use of violence during a hearing held for him recently.
Karam had been threatened with having his credentials lifted due to an interview he gave to the Muslim Brotherhood television station, Dar al-Iman, in May.
"As a Palestinian journalist who is in an occupied area or a conflict area, journalistic work is an integral part of the resistance and of political and educational action,” he said then.
“A journalist fulfills his role in the resistance through his pen, voice or camera, because he is part of this nation and is resisting in his unique way,” he added.
Karam, 40, is a Palestinian journalist who lives in Nazareth, and has had a press card as an al-Jazeera reporter since 2011.
Karam’s remarks had been sent to the government press office in mid-August as part of the government’s threat to shut down the Qatari-owned news station, which Israel accuses of inciting violence against Jews.
23 aug 2017
Amnesty International said that the Electronic Crimes Law, adopted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in July, violates citizens’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression and blatantly flouts the State of Palestine’s obligations under international law.
Amnesty said in a report, that the law imposes heavy fines and permits the arbitrary detention of anyone critical of the Palestinian authorities online, including journalists and whistleblowers.
It could also be used to target anyone for simply sharing or retweeting such news. Anyone who is deemed to have disturbed “public order”, “national unity” or “social peace” could be sentenced to imprisonment and up to 15 years hard labor, the report pointed out.
“Instead of presiding over a chilling campaign designed to silence dissent, intimidate journalists and breach the privacy of individuals, the Palestinian authorities must stop arbitrarily detaining journalists and drop charges against anyone prosecuted for freely expressing themselves. They must also urgently repeal the Electronic Crimes Law,” said Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.
In June, several weeks before the Electronic Crimes Law came into force, Palestinian Authority arbitrarily ordered internet service providers in the West Bank to block access to 29 websites. They include websites belonging to political parties, opposition and independent media outlets and the al-Quds network, a volunteer-run community online news outlet.
According to the report, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is responsible for 81 attacks on media freedom since the start of the year.
Amnesty said in a report, that the law imposes heavy fines and permits the arbitrary detention of anyone critical of the Palestinian authorities online, including journalists and whistleblowers.
It could also be used to target anyone for simply sharing or retweeting such news. Anyone who is deemed to have disturbed “public order”, “national unity” or “social peace” could be sentenced to imprisonment and up to 15 years hard labor, the report pointed out.
“Instead of presiding over a chilling campaign designed to silence dissent, intimidate journalists and breach the privacy of individuals, the Palestinian authorities must stop arbitrarily detaining journalists and drop charges against anyone prosecuted for freely expressing themselves. They must also urgently repeal the Electronic Crimes Law,” said Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.
In June, several weeks before the Electronic Crimes Law came into force, Palestinian Authority arbitrarily ordered internet service providers in the West Bank to block access to 29 websites. They include websites belonging to political parties, opposition and independent media outlets and the al-Quds network, a volunteer-run community online news outlet.
According to the report, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is responsible for 81 attacks on media freedom since the start of the year.
16 aug 2017
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Wednesday at dawn, the village of Kobar, northwest of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and demolished a home belonging to the family of a Palestinian who stabbed, last month, three Israelis to death, in their home at a nearby colony. The soldiers also injured 26 Palestinians during ensuing clashes.
Medical sources in Ramallah said the soldiers shot 26 Palestinians during the clashes; one of them is a cameraman, identified as Mohammad Radi, who works for Palestine TV.
The cameraman was shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet in his face, after a soldier shot him from a close range, while he was filming the clashes.
The sources stated that thirteen Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets, and thirteen others suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers have recently abducted the parents, and uncle, of Omar al-‘Abed who carried out the stabbing attack last month.
The three slain Israelis have been identified as Yosef Salomon, 70, his daughter Chaya, 46, and his son Elad, 36.
Medical sources in Ramallah said the soldiers shot 26 Palestinians during the clashes; one of them is a cameraman, identified as Mohammad Radi, who works for Palestine TV.
The cameraman was shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet in his face, after a soldier shot him from a close range, while he was filming the clashes.
The sources stated that thirteen Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets, and thirteen others suffered the effects of teargas inhalation.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers have recently abducted the parents, and uncle, of Omar al-‘Abed who carried out the stabbing attack last month.
The three slain Israelis have been identified as Yosef Salomon, 70, his daughter Chaya, 46, and his son Elad, 36.
10 aug 2017
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Thursday at dawn, several areas in occupied East Jerusalem, searched many homes and abducted eight Palestinians, including one from Qalandia refugee camp, north of the city.
The soldiers invaded and ransacked many homes in the Old City, and abducted four Palestinians, identified as Yousef al-‘Ammawi, Ala’ Najeeb, Yousef Hzeina and Mahmoud Edrees.
The army also invaded homes in at-Tour neighborhood, and Shu’fat refugee camp, before abducting Suleiman Sayyad and Ahmad Sweilem.
In addition, the soldiers abducted a Palestinian, who remained unidentified until the time of this report, after stopping his car at a roadblock on the western road of the al-‘Eesawiyya town, and took him to an unknown destination.
The soldiers also invaded media offices belonging to Jerusalem News and The Independent Media Center, before searching them, and confiscated many computers and drives, in addition to confiscating a mobile phone owned by the head of the Independent Media Center, Rami Allariyya.
The army detained many families in the same building for several hours, and kept them in one room, but released them after concluding the invasions and searches.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers also invaded Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, and Kafr Aqab nearby neighborhood, searched homes and abducted a young man, identified as Bassel Hammad.
The soldiers invaded and ransacked many homes in the Old City, and abducted four Palestinians, identified as Yousef al-‘Ammawi, Ala’ Najeeb, Yousef Hzeina and Mahmoud Edrees.
The army also invaded homes in at-Tour neighborhood, and Shu’fat refugee camp, before abducting Suleiman Sayyad and Ahmad Sweilem.
In addition, the soldiers abducted a Palestinian, who remained unidentified until the time of this report, after stopping his car at a roadblock on the western road of the al-‘Eesawiyya town, and took him to an unknown destination.
The soldiers also invaded media offices belonging to Jerusalem News and The Independent Media Center, before searching them, and confiscated many computers and drives, in addition to confiscating a mobile phone owned by the head of the Independent Media Center, Rami Allariyya.
The army detained many families in the same building for several hours, and kept them in one room, but released them after concluding the invasions and searches.
It is worth mentioning that the soldiers also invaded Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, and Kafr Aqab nearby neighborhood, searched homes and abducted a young man, identified as Bassel Hammad.
Yesterday and today, the Palestinian General Intelligence Service (GIS) arrested 5 journalists in the West Bank on grounds of leaking sensitive information to hostile parties, according to Wafa Agency, without identifying the hostile entity in question.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) follows with deep concern this dangerous development which came only 1 month after the arrest of a Palestinian journalist in the Gaza Strip on similar grounds. PCHR is also concerned that the division bickering is descending to a very dangerous situation, where the basic rights are denied and public freedoms are totally undermined through misusing the criminalization texts.
According to PCHR’s follow-up, on 08 August 2017, the GIS in the West Bank arrested 5 journalists from different parts in the West Bank. Mamdouh Mahmoud Hamamrah (33), Reporter at al-Quds Satellite Channel, and Qotaybah Saleh Qasem (29), a freelance journalist, both from Bethlehem, were arrested. On the same day, GIS also arrested Tariq ‘Abdel Razeq Abu Zaid (42), from Nablus and Reporter at al-Aqsa Satellite Channel, and ‘Amer ‘Abdul Halim Mohammed Abu ‘Arafah (35), from Hebron and Reporter at Shihab News Agency. On Wednesday, 09 August 2017, GIS also arrested Mohammed Ahmed Halayqah (31), from Hebron and Reporter at Al-Quds Satellite Channel.
According to Wafa News Agency, which is an official agency, a ranking Palestinian security source said, “the four journalists held by the security services are accused of leaking sensitive information to hostile parties, and the matter is so far under investigation. The four journalists were identified as Mamdouh Hamamrah, Tariq Abu Zaid, Amer Abu Arafeh and Qotaybah Qasem.“ The agency mentioned nothing about the fifth journalist Halayqah.
On 08 June 2017, the Internal Security Service (ISS) in the Gaza Strip arrested journalist Foad Jamal Jaradah (33), Reporter at Palestine TV in Gaza, from his house in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood. Foad was later accused of collaborating with Ramallah and was interrogated for consecutive weeks. He is so far under arrest.
PCHR follows up with concern the measures taken by the authorities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and warns of the arbitrary use of legal texts or fabricating charges to beat their political rivals. This results in serious consequences on the legal system, rights and freedoms in general.
PCHR emphasizes that the accused persons should be granted of their full rights within proper procedures that respect their constitutional and humanitarian rights, in particular the right to not being subjected to arbitrary detention, the right to a fair trial and the right to proper due process.
Moreover, PCHR stresses on committing to the Criminal Procedure Code related to arrest and investigation, and the accused persons’ right to have access to a lawyer.
PCHR calls for releasing the six journalists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, until the validity of the charges against them will be proven in accordance with proper and transparent procedures.
Hamas condemns the arrest of five pressmen in West Bank
Hamas Movement on Wednesday slammed the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces in the West Bank for the arrest of five journalists Tuesday night. Hamas called the arrest a means of oppression and subjection.
Rafat Murrah, the Hamas media spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesday that the arrest of the journalists is a violation of the Palestinian media and freedom of speech. It is an attempt to intimidate and silence pressmen, he said.
The Hamas leader asked the PA security forces to immediately release the detained journalists.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) follows with deep concern this dangerous development which came only 1 month after the arrest of a Palestinian journalist in the Gaza Strip on similar grounds. PCHR is also concerned that the division bickering is descending to a very dangerous situation, where the basic rights are denied and public freedoms are totally undermined through misusing the criminalization texts.
According to PCHR’s follow-up, on 08 August 2017, the GIS in the West Bank arrested 5 journalists from different parts in the West Bank. Mamdouh Mahmoud Hamamrah (33), Reporter at al-Quds Satellite Channel, and Qotaybah Saleh Qasem (29), a freelance journalist, both from Bethlehem, were arrested. On the same day, GIS also arrested Tariq ‘Abdel Razeq Abu Zaid (42), from Nablus and Reporter at al-Aqsa Satellite Channel, and ‘Amer ‘Abdul Halim Mohammed Abu ‘Arafah (35), from Hebron and Reporter at Shihab News Agency. On Wednesday, 09 August 2017, GIS also arrested Mohammed Ahmed Halayqah (31), from Hebron and Reporter at Al-Quds Satellite Channel.
According to Wafa News Agency, which is an official agency, a ranking Palestinian security source said, “the four journalists held by the security services are accused of leaking sensitive information to hostile parties, and the matter is so far under investigation. The four journalists were identified as Mamdouh Hamamrah, Tariq Abu Zaid, Amer Abu Arafeh and Qotaybah Qasem.“ The agency mentioned nothing about the fifth journalist Halayqah.
On 08 June 2017, the Internal Security Service (ISS) in the Gaza Strip arrested journalist Foad Jamal Jaradah (33), Reporter at Palestine TV in Gaza, from his house in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood. Foad was later accused of collaborating with Ramallah and was interrogated for consecutive weeks. He is so far under arrest.
PCHR follows up with concern the measures taken by the authorities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and warns of the arbitrary use of legal texts or fabricating charges to beat their political rivals. This results in serious consequences on the legal system, rights and freedoms in general.
PCHR emphasizes that the accused persons should be granted of their full rights within proper procedures that respect their constitutional and humanitarian rights, in particular the right to not being subjected to arbitrary detention, the right to a fair trial and the right to proper due process.
Moreover, PCHR stresses on committing to the Criminal Procedure Code related to arrest and investigation, and the accused persons’ right to have access to a lawyer.
PCHR calls for releasing the six journalists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, until the validity of the charges against them will be proven in accordance with proper and transparent procedures.
Hamas condemns the arrest of five pressmen in West Bank
Hamas Movement on Wednesday slammed the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces in the West Bank for the arrest of five journalists Tuesday night. Hamas called the arrest a means of oppression and subjection.
Rafat Murrah, the Hamas media spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesday that the arrest of the journalists is a violation of the Palestinian media and freedom of speech. It is an attempt to intimidate and silence pressmen, he said.
The Hamas leader asked the PA security forces to immediately release the detained journalists.
8 aug 2017
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Tuesday morning forced journalists working for Palestine satellite channel in the West Bank province of Jenin to delete video footage from a camera in their possession as they were making a report at Barta’a checkpoint.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that a television crew from the channel was covering the daily measures and restrictions pursued against Palestinian workmen seeking to enter the 1948 occupied lands through Barta’a checkpoint.
They added that the soldiers detained cameraman Sakher Zawatya and correspondent Mohamed Badarneh, and questioned them in a small room for over an hour before releasing them later.
The Israeli army claimed that taking photographs is forbidden in the area, which they described as a military zone.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that a television crew from the channel was covering the daily measures and restrictions pursued against Palestinian workmen seeking to enter the 1948 occupied lands through Barta’a checkpoint.
They added that the soldiers detained cameraman Sakher Zawatya and correspondent Mohamed Badarneh, and questioned them in a small room for over an hour before releasing them later.
The Israeli army claimed that taking photographs is forbidden in the area, which they described as a military zone.
6 aug 2017
The Israeli government Sunday announced closing al-Jazeera TV network office in Occupied Jerusalem and revoking press credentials of its journalists.
Israel's communications minister, Ayoob Kara, said that the decision was based on the fact that some Arab countries have recently closed al-Jazeera local offices and blocked their work, adding, "We want to establish alliances, economic partnerships and peace agreements with these countries."
Last month, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused al-Jazeera of "inciting violence" for covering the latest tensions in Jerusalem over Israeli security measures at al-Aqsa Mosque.
"I have appealed to law enforcement agencies several times to close al-Jazeera office in Jerusalem," said Netanyahu in a Facebook post, adding, "If this is not possible because of legal interpretation, I am going to seek to have the necessary legislation adopted to expel al-Jazeera from Israel."
For its part, Gaza government's information office condemned in a statement the Israeli decision and said that al-Jazeera closure confirms the great efforts the Qatari broadcaster has exerted to convey the truth during the recent escalation at al-Aqsa Mosque.
The office stressed that Israel must be held accountable for its repeated criminal practices against journalists and media institutions, the latest of which was assaulting journalists and breaking into media offices in the West Bank.
It called for launching a massive media campaign in solidarity with al-Jazeera and asked the International Federation of Journalists to take a serious step against the Israeli decision.
Israel's communications minister, Ayoob Kara, said that the decision was based on the fact that some Arab countries have recently closed al-Jazeera local offices and blocked their work, adding, "We want to establish alliances, economic partnerships and peace agreements with these countries."
Last month, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused al-Jazeera of "inciting violence" for covering the latest tensions in Jerusalem over Israeli security measures at al-Aqsa Mosque.
"I have appealed to law enforcement agencies several times to close al-Jazeera office in Jerusalem," said Netanyahu in a Facebook post, adding, "If this is not possible because of legal interpretation, I am going to seek to have the necessary legislation adopted to expel al-Jazeera from Israel."
For its part, Gaza government's information office condemned in a statement the Israeli decision and said that al-Jazeera closure confirms the great efforts the Qatari broadcaster has exerted to convey the truth during the recent escalation at al-Aqsa Mosque.
The office stressed that Israel must be held accountable for its repeated criminal practices against journalists and media institutions, the latest of which was assaulting journalists and breaking into media offices in the West Bank.
It called for launching a massive media campaign in solidarity with al-Jazeera and asked the International Federation of Journalists to take a serious step against the Israeli decision.
The Ministry of Information said, Saturday, that Israel committed 76 violations against journalists in July, more than 60 per cent of them in East Jerusalem, the highest since the start of the year.
It said, according to WAFA, that most of the violations were related to coverage of events at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and included either beating, (17 cases), shot by rubber bullets (eight cases), tear gas inhalation (eight), pepper spray (eight), barring coverage by ordering journalists to leave the area (nine), hit by stun grenade (four) and others.
In addition, said the ministry, Israeli forces raided and ransacked three media offices in Hebron and Ramallah during July, seizing equipment and other material.
It said, according to WAFA, that most of the violations were related to coverage of events at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and included either beating, (17 cases), shot by rubber bullets (eight cases), tear gas inhalation (eight), pepper spray (eight), barring coverage by ordering journalists to leave the area (nine), hit by stun grenade (four) and others.
In addition, said the ministry, Israeli forces raided and ransacked three media offices in Hebron and Ramallah during July, seizing equipment and other material.
5 aug 2017
Medical sources have reported, on Friday evening, that at least three Palestinians were injured, when Israeli soldiers and colonist settlers assaulted many Palestinians in Jaber neighborhood, east of Hebron city, in the southern part of the West Bank. The soldiers also abducted a child, only twelve years of age, and a cameraman working for B’Tselem.
Several colonists, living in the illegal Keryat Arba’ colony, built on Palestinian lands east of Hebron, assaulted many Palestinians, and hurled stones at them, causing fractures in the arm of a Palestinian from Reb’ey family.
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets at the Palestinians, wounding two, identified as ‘Aref Jaber and Monir Jaber.
The soldiers also assaulted a child, identified as Ahmad Jaber, only twelve years of age, and abducted him.
Also in Hebron, the soldiers abducted an activist against Israeli colonies, and a cameraman working for the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem), identified as Emad Abu Shamsiyya, 40, in Tal Romeida neighborhood.
Abu Shamsiyya is the cameraman, who was repeatedly abducted and threatened by the soldiers after he filmed a soldier, identified as Elor Azaria, executing a wounded Palestinian, identified as Abdul-Fattah Sharif, near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.
Several colonists, living in the illegal Keryat Arba’ colony, built on Palestinian lands east of Hebron, assaulted many Palestinians, and hurled stones at them, causing fractures in the arm of a Palestinian from Reb’ey family.
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets at the Palestinians, wounding two, identified as ‘Aref Jaber and Monir Jaber.
The soldiers also assaulted a child, identified as Ahmad Jaber, only twelve years of age, and abducted him.
Also in Hebron, the soldiers abducted an activist against Israeli colonies, and a cameraman working for the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem), identified as Emad Abu Shamsiyya, 40, in Tal Romeida neighborhood.
Abu Shamsiyya is the cameraman, who was repeatedly abducted and threatened by the soldiers after he filmed a soldier, identified as Elor Azaria, executing a wounded Palestinian, identified as Abdul-Fattah Sharif, near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.
4 aug 2017
Dozens of Palestinians sustained injuries Friday after the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) violently attacked a rally staged in response to the establishment of a military watchtower at Kharsa crossroads, in al-Khalil.
According to eyewitnesses, Israeli military patrols unleashed heavy spates of teargas canisters following Friday prayers performed by Palestinian protesters near an Israeli military watchtower in Kharsa, in al-Khalil’s town of Dura.
The peaceful Palestinian worshipers chanted slogans condemning the ceaseless Israeli violations.
Heavily-armed Israeli patrols showed up shortly afterwards and declared the area a closed military zone before the soldiers sprayed protesters with sewage in an attempt to disband them. The Israeli forces further cracked down on journalists and cameramen.
According to eyewitnesses, Israeli military patrols unleashed heavy spates of teargas canisters following Friday prayers performed by Palestinian protesters near an Israeli military watchtower in Kharsa, in al-Khalil’s town of Dura.
The peaceful Palestinian worshipers chanted slogans condemning the ceaseless Israeli violations.
Heavily-armed Israeli patrols showed up shortly afterwards and declared the area a closed military zone before the soldiers sprayed protesters with sewage in an attempt to disband them. The Israeli forces further cracked down on journalists and cameramen.
