Ramallah-11/01/2016- December 2015 witnessed a total of 63 serious violations against media freedoms, which were higher than November violations 2015 by five assaults, which actually witnessed 58 violations. Yet, the number of Israeli violations decreased despite of their dangerousness, as 46 Israeli violations during December comparing to 52 assaults during November 2015. By contrast, Palestinian sides committed a total of 17 violations across West Bank and Gaza Strip, which were actually higher than the violations of November which witnessed only six Palestinian violations. 

 

However, the most serious violations during December was the killing of Ahmad Hassan Ali Jahajha, a journalism student at Modern University Collage by IOF during the raiding of Qalnadiya refugee camp-northern of Jerusalem, in the morning of 16th of December. 

 

Thus, Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms "MADA" condemns all crimes and violations against Palestinian media freedoms. Indeed, MADA reconfirms the importance of ending such attacks, in addition to demanding of  accountability for those responsible for committing these serious violations, especially, the killing of the  media student Ahmad Jahajha. 

 

Moreover, MADA urges to respect freedom of expression, rather than releasing the journalist Qaiq, who was transferred into administrative detention by Israeli Occupation Authorities, however, his life is under threat since continuing his hunger strike for more than 40 days. Furthermore, MADA demands for the end of the policy of detaining journalists, particularly the administrative detention against Palestinians, both civilians and journalists.

MADA also express its deep concerns over the violations of Palestinian Security Forces against journalists, while covering a peaceful demonstration in Al-Bireh city-West Bank, and  continuinued  assault of journalists and activists by  security forces in Gaza, because of their posts at social networks, regarding the issue of handing over the Rafah Border Crossing, which is controlled by Hamas Security Forces. Moreover, MADA express its grave concerns over the violations against the privacy of journalists by forcing them to telling their passwords of their accounts at social networks and the passwords of their own laptops.

 

Israeli Occupation Forces committed a total of 46 violations against media freedoms and journalists: (42 across West Bank and 4 in Gaza Strip), while several of them were listed within the serious and severe attacks.

 

IOF shot dead a Palestinian media student - Ahmad Jahajha, who was  active at filming events occurring in Ramallah and Qalandya refugee camp, where he lived. In addition, ten journalists were injured while covering events across West Bank and Gaza Strip. The most severe one was the injury of Mahmud Louh- the journalist of "Sawt Shaab" Radio Station. He was actually injured with a fire bullet at his leg, while covering a demonstration at Gaza Strip. Thus, the bullet went into front of his leg and then went out from the back. Furthermore, Israel Occupation Authority transferred  the detainee Muhammad Qaiq- a correspondent of Majd Saudi News TV- to an administrative.

 

4th and 5th of December, Quds News Network correspondent- Shatha Abdulrahman Hammad got shot with the bullet and tear gas bomb of IOF, while covering the confrontations in Silwad village at the eastern of Ramall. Furthermore, on 29th of November and 6th of December, Israel Occupation Intelligence detained Muntaser Muhammad Hammdan-the journalist of Alhayat Aljadedah newspaper and a secretariat member in the Palestinian Journalistic Syndicate- as passing through Al-Karamah crossing-Jericho. On 8th of December, IOF also arrested Hummam Afeef Muhammad Rasheed, who is studying journalism at An-Najah National University- from his house in Attil village-Tulkrm at the northern of West Bank.

 

11th of December witnessed an extensive spate of Israeli attacks against journalists across West Bank and Gaza Strip. Hence, Palestine Today TV correspondent- Raghdah Noor Dain Attmah- was injured with a metal bullet, fired by IOF, as she was covering confrontationsbetween youths and IOF broken out at Silwad village-eastern of Ramallah. Furthermore, Wattan TV cameraman-Ameer Mustafah Hamyel- got shot with a metal bullet, fired by IOF, while he was covering a demonstration in Silwad village-Ramallah. Moreover, the photographer Belal Abdulsallam Tamimi was injured with a metal bullet, fired by IOF, as he was covering the weekly  peaceful march at Nadbi Salah village-western of Ramallah. Additionally, IOF prevented some journalists from covering events at the northern entrance of Bethlehem city.

 

 The freelance photographer- Hamdi Abu Rahmah- was also injured with a gas bomb, fired by IOF, as covering the weekly  demonstration at Bili’n village-western of Ramallah. Hence, IOF fired bullets towards the car of the freelance photographer-Muhammad Khateib, resulting in smashing its glass.  

Three journalists were also targeted by Israeli Occupation Forces on 11th of December, across Gaza Strip. One of them was the correspondent of "Sawt Shaab" radio station-Mahmud Omar Louh, who was got shot with a metal bullet that went into his leg, as covering events at the eastern of Buriji refugee camp-Gaza Strip. Furthermore, Palestine Today TV cameraman-Ayman Abdulrahman Mansour- was injured with a gas bomb, directly fired by IOF towards him, as he was covering events at the eastern of Khan Younis-Gaza Strip. Similarly, IOF targeted the journalist of "Sawt Shaab" radio station- Muhammad Sami Aydi-  by firing gas bombs at him, while he was covering events at the eastern of Jabalya-Gaza Strip;  resulting in suffering severe suffocations.

 

On 12th of December, IOF also prevented Palestine Public crew-the correspondent Sara Mahmud Adrah and the cameraman Muhammad Salman Radi- from covering events in Aboud village at Ramallah governorate, in addition to threatening them by firing at them. 16th of December, Ahmad Hassan Ali Jahajha- a journalism student at Modern University Collage- was also killed by IOF, during the raiding of Qalndiya refugee camp-northern of Jerusalem.

16th of December, Israeli Occupation Soldiers also detained Bara' Abdulrahman Hammdan-the correspondent of "Baladna" radio at Bethlehem, for hours, rather than deleting some images of his cell phone. Furthermore, 18th of December, IOF prevented a group of journalists from covering a march celebrating for Merry Chrisms in Bethlehem. In the same day, IOF also targeted Palestine Public TV crew at Gaza Strip, as a result, the driver Yussri Rayiess was injured with a bullet at his leg. 

 

20th of December, Israeli Occupation Authorities issued a six-month administrative detention for the correspondent of Majd Saudi News TV-Muhammad Adeeb Ahmad Qaiq. Moreover, 22nd of December, IOF prevented Azmi Waleed Bannat- the correspondent and photographer of "Marah" Radio station- from covering events at Aroub refugee camp-Hebron governate, rather than deleting what he filmed and detaining him for hours.

 On 23rd of December, Israeli Occupation Police  handed Samer Hussam Abu Eishah- the freelance photographer living in Jerusalem- a decision for banishing him from Jerusalem for a period of five months. Furthermore, Sawt Al-naqab radio station- broadcasting from Doura in the West Bank city of Hebron- exposed to an interference by an Israeli radio.

 

Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms "MADA" monitored a total of 17 Palestinian violations against media freedoms during last December 2015. Thus, 14 violations were witnessed across West Bank. Yet, most of them occurred at the same day of 25th of December, especially when Palestinian Security Forces, wearing civilian clothes, prevented a group of journalists from covering a demonstration in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

 

The Interior Security Services in Gaza twice summoned Eiz Abdul Azeez Abu Shannab-the journalist of Sky Press- on 3rd and 9th of December, rather than threatening him due to a campaign asking HAMAS for handing over Rafah Border Crossing. Hence, on 14th of December, Palestinian Preventive Security Services arrested Mussab Fathi Khatib- the correspondent of Quds TV- from his house in Nablus- northern of West Bank. 

 

On 25th of December, Palestinian Security Forces, who were wearing civilian clothes and holding sticks, assaulted at least eight journalists, while they were covering a demonstration at the entrance of Al-Bireh city-West Bank and detaining them, in addition to confiscating their equipment and deleting some its content. These journalists were: Jehad Ibrahim Barakat, correspondent of Palestine Today TV in Ramallah-West Bank, and the cameraman of that TV Jameel Hashem Salhab, as well as Dua' Muhammad Siyori, correspondent of Wattan TV in Ramallah, and the cameraman of that TV Ameer Mustafa Hamayel, in addition to Kuwait TV correspondent Faleh Naseir Faleh, rather than Aljazeerah TV cameraman Majdi Safadi, and Al-Aqsa TV correspondent Mustafa AbdulRazaq Khawajah, and the cameraman of Al-Aqsa TV Khaleil Khader. Hence, 29th of December,  journalist Abdulsalam Aref Hussin Abu Nada- a project director in Internews, received an email threatening to assault his family.

 

 (3/12)- Interior Security in Gaza twice summoned Eiz Abdul Azeez Abu Shanab (30 years old)- the journalist of  the local  Sky Press News Agency that followed to Abdul Azeez Wadi Center for Studies and Research in Nablus. They investigated him about a campaign calling HAMAS for handing over Rafah Border Crossing. Abu Shannab reported to MADA: " Thursday, 3rd of December, I received a summon to be present at the Interior Security in Hakim Palace in Gaza city, at 8:30 in the morning of Sunday, 6th of December, and there, they seized my ID and my cell phone, and after waiting for one hour, they took me to the investigation room in which there was just one officer."

 

He added: “the officer initially asked me about my work with Fateh and Palestinian Authority/Presidential Security. Yet, I told him that I didn't work with any of Fateh or Presidential Security, and I just received a salary for the “dismissal staff of 2005 (Tafrigat), rather than I am just working as a journalist. Then, they asked me more about the campaign of #Salmo El-Ma'bar (handing over Rafah Crossing that is controlled by Hamas security forces in Gaza Strip), and asking about who involved in that campaign. Hence, I informed him that I just received applications to join that campaign and then publishing them, rather than asking me about the names of who want to join the campaign, I replied that I didn't know because there were about 50000 friends at my Facebook page. Then, he asked me about who involved in working for the "#Salmo El-Ma'bar ", I told him that I didn't know anyone. However,  the officer asked me to give him my email and the password, thus,  I had given them after 20 minutes, then he asked me if I know anyone who joins the campaign from Ramallah, I said that I didn't know. Then, he interrogated me once again about the Presidential Security. However, they gave me my ID and cell phone, and then they released me at around 3:30pm."

 

Tuesday, 8th of December, Interior Security in Gaza phoned Abu Shannab to go to meet them again on 9th of December. He said: " when I arrived, they handcuffed me and putting glasses that obscure the light, rather than accusing me that I lied and they would send me to Maslakh (where they tortured prisoners), rather than telling me that I had a contact with who involved in the campaign of #salmo el-ma'bar (handing over the crossing)who are from Ramallah . Hence, they asked me once again about who organized that campaign, and asking about how I can work with Palestinian Authority (Presidential Guards) and at the same time working as a journalist. Again, I told them that I am from “dismissal staff 2015”, and I don't work with Palestinian Authority, hence, I am just a journalist. However, he advised me to be away from political issues, especially the issue of Rafah Border Crossing, and then they released me."

 

 (4/12)- Quds News Network correspondent- Shatha Abdul Rahman Hammad (26 years old) twice got shot with the bullets of IOF, as covering the confrontations at Silwad village between youths and IOF, at the eastern of Ramallah city. Hammad reported to MADA: “the first incident was when my right leg was injured with a metal bullet, while I was covering clashes broken out at the western entrance of Silwad village- eastern of Ramallah. Indeed, I was directly targeted by IOF from a short distance despite of wearing a press vest."

 

She also added: “accordingly, I was transferred to the Medical Emergency Center in Silwad village, in which I received the necessary treatment. However, my injury was swelling until this moment, note that she reported to MADA center on 31st of December. The second incident was when I got shot with a gas bomb on 25th of December, while covering confrontations broken out once again at the western entrance of Silwad village. They also fired bullets near me, even though I was far away from protesters, yet, I wasn’t hurt."

 

 (6/12)- the Occupation Intelligence twice detained Muntaser Muhammad Hammdan-the correspondent of Alhayat Aljadedah Newspaper and a secretariat member of Palestinian Journalistic Syndicate- as passing through Karamah crossing- Jericho. Hammdan reported to MADA: "6th of December, the Occupation Intelligence detained me for around four hours at the Bridge (the crossing between West Bank and Jordan) when I came back, rather than seizing my passport. Hence, an intelligence officer was questioning me for around ten minutes. The questions were mainly about my work, how long I have been working as a journalist, and about what I wrote in the newspaper. Then, he took my phone number before he let me leaving. Similarly, the Occupation Intelligence previously detained me for an hour at the Bridge, as leaving Palestinian territories on 29th of November, but they didn't ask me any questions."

 

 

 (8/12)- IOF arrested Hummam Afeef Muhammad Rasheed (23 years old), a media student at An-Najah National University-Nablus, from his house in Ateel town - Tulkarm-northern of West Bank. H Hummam's father reported to MADA: “8th of December, at 2:30am, an occupation force raided our house at Ateel town in Tulkarem governorate. Meanwhile, we were at Ramallah and there was anyone in the house except Hummam, the occupation soldiers inspected our house, in addition to confiscating Hummam's computer and his brother one, rather than seizing his cell phone and his hard disk. Then, they arrested Hummam, and then they left the house at around 3:45am. However, a human rights organization informed us that Huamma is now at Jalamah prison  and his detention was extended till the 4th of January."

 

 (11/12)- Palestine Today TV correspondent Ragdah Noor El-Dain Attmah (27 years old) was injured with a metal bullet fired by IOF, while covering clashes at Silwad village, at the eastern of Ramallah. Ragdah reported to MADA: “while I was covering a demonstration at Silwad village- the east north of Ramallah- which was mainly organized after the killing of a Palestinian youth before one week, hence, an occupation force raided Silwad village, rather than firing gas bombs and bullets. Consequently, I got shot with a rubber-coated metal bullet at my left leg. However, I received a field treatment in the ambulance there without going to a hospital."

 

 (11/12)- Palestinian Popular Resistance Movement photographer-Belal Abdul Salam Tamimi (50 years old) - got shot with a metal bullet, fired by IOF, while he was covering the weekly peaceful march in Nabi Salah village-northwest of Ramallah. Tamimi reported to MADA: 11th of December, I was covering the weekly peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh; meanwhile, IOF started randomly firing metal bullets, live shots, and gas bombs towards who were present there. Consequently, I was injured with a rubber-coated metal bullet at my left knee. However, the injury was minor and I received field treatment at the same place, thus, the symptoms of the injury were still lasted for ten days."

 

 (11/12)- IOF prevented a group of journalists from covering confrontations broken out near the northern entrance of Bethlehem between youths and IOF. AFP photographer Muosa Ahmad Shaaer (56 years old) reported to MADA: “we were covering clashes broken out at Rachel's Tomb, at the northern entrance of Bethlehem; thus, the journalists there were prevented from covering by IOF, rather than pushing all of us. Some of these journalists were: Alzaitona Palestinian News agency photographer Eiad Hamed, Reuters photographer-Muhammad Abu Ganiya- and the correspondent and cameraman of "Quds.com" site Abdul Rahmman Younis.    

 

 (11/12)- IOF shot at the car of the freelance photographer-Haitham Muhammad Khatib (39 years old)-, as he was covering the weekly demonstration at Bili'n village-western of Ramallah. Consequently, the glass of the car was smashed. Hence, Katib reported to MADA: "IOF directly targeted journalists, whereas an occupation officer informed them to go back because they went to fire gas bombs. Then, occupation soldiers fired sponge bullets, resulting in smashing the front glass of my car."

 

 (11/12)- The freelance photographer Hamdi Abu Rahma (28 years old) got shot by a gas bomb, fired by IOF, as he was covering the weekly demonstration in Bili’n village-western of Ramallah. Abu Rahma reported to MADA: “Friday, 11th of December, a gas bomb hit my buttoks, fired by IOF, while I was covering a weekly march in Bili’n village. However, I received a filed treatment at the same place without going to a hospital despite that the injury was rough.”

 

(11/12)-PalToday TV cameraman Ayman Abdul Rahman Mansour (28 years old) got shot with a gas bomb at his arm, directly fired by an occupation soldier, as covering events at the eastern of Khan Younis-Gaza Strip. Hence, Mansour reported to MADA: " Friday, 11th of December, at around 3:30am, I went to Farrahin border district at the eastern of Khan Younis-Gaza Strip; to cover events there. After almost one hour and a half, IOF directly fired bombs towards me, even though I was wearing a press vest. Consequently, I got shot with a gas bomb, hitting my left arm (from the side of the shoulder), rather than falling to the ground and suffering severe suffocation. However, I received the necessary treatment by the medical crew who was there. Yet, pains continued for days, especially in the time of cold." 

 

 (11/12)- the journalist of Sawt Shaab radio-Muhammad Sami Aidi (23yres old), form Gaza, suffered severe suffocation, as a result of firing gas bombs, while he was covering clashes broken out at the eastern of Shujaiya- -Gaza Strip. Aidi reported to MADA: "at around 3:00pm of Friday, 11th of December, I went to Nahal Oz crossing, at the eastern of Shujaiya-Gaza Strip; to cover the clashes there. when I was near to Careny crossing (a crossing located between Israel and Gaza Strip) at around 4:00pm, I got shot with five gas bombs. Consequently, I breathed a lot of gas, rather than I was not able to leave the place, because the occupation soldiers continued firing live bullets towards me, even though I was wearing press vest. However, I informed with Sawt Shaab Radio via a call that I wasn't able to leave due to firing. One hour later the Red Cross reached at my place, I left that place (with them) and received first aid.”

He also added: “the second day I went to Awdah hospital-Gaza Srtip where I stayed there one day; due to suffering pains in the breast and suffocation."

 

(11/12)- the correspondent of Sawt Shaab Radio in Gaza Strip-Mahmud Omar Mahmud Louh- (25 years old) got shot with a bullet, fired by IOF towards him, as he was covering clashes broken out between youths and IOF at the eastern of Buriji refugee camp-Gaza Strip. Hence, Louh reported to MADA: "at around 1:00pm of Friday, 11th of December, I went to the eastern of Buriji refugee camp to cover the events there. Thus, at around 4:30pm, I got shot with a live bullet, fired by IOF towards me, even though there was a press sign. Yet, the bullet went into my right leg, under the knee from front side, and then went out from the back side."

Louh also added: “consequently, I fell to the ground, rather than suffering severe bleeding. So, they transferred me to Al-Aqsa Martryre Hospital in Dair Balah-Gaza Strip. I stayed there for around two hours, in which my injury was covered up. However, I still suffered severe painsso I went to Awdah hospital in Jabalia-Gaza Strip where I stayed two days , in which I  underwent a minor surgical operation.

 

 (11/12)-Wattan TV cameraman-Ameer Mustafa Hamyel (29 years old) got shot with a metal bullet, fired by IOF, as covering a march in Silwad village at the eastern of Ramallah. Hamayel reported to MADA: " Friday, 11th of December, me and TV's cameraman-Nizar Habbash were covering the demonstration organized in Silwad village, at the eastern of Ramallah, hence, IOF directly fired bullets towards us. Thus, a bullet hit a sign being in front us, and another rubber- coated metal bullet hit my left leg. Consequently,. Therefore, I went to Ramallah hospital, in which I received the treatment for around three hours because the bone suffered scratches." 

 

 (12/12)- IOF prevented Palatine Public TV crew from covering events at Aboud village-Ramallah, rather than threatening for firing at them. Palestine public TV correspondent in Ramallah- Sara Mahmoud Adra (28 years pld)- reported to MADA: me and my colleague- the cameraman Muhammad Salman Radi (31 years old)- were present at Aboud village, to prepare a report regarding (the march) asking for opining the village main road, which was closed by IOF before a one week. IOF prevented us from filming, rather than impeding our work as well as verbally and physically harassing us while recording. However, I tried to go away from them to continuo recording, but they followed us, in addition to threatening for firing. Hence, there were many TV crews there, but, they left the place before IOF harassed us.”

 

 (14/12)-Palestinian Preventive Security Service arrested the correspondent of Quds TV-Musaab Fathi Khatib (32 years old)-  in front of his house in Nablus city- northern of West Bank. His wife-Bayan Qusho'- reported to MADA: " At around 8:00pm, a Palestinian Preventive Security force arrested Mussabin front of his house, after his return from a friend visit, at Arsaad ST in Nablus city. Hence, the force had an arrest order and an inspection one that were signed by General Attorney, rather than confiscating his cell phone."

Khtibe reported to MADA after he was released: “the investigation lasted from 12:00pm to 3:00am (mainly three hours), it was actually about a post on a Facebook Page for someone, his name is similar to my name "Musaab Subhi Muhammad Khatibe". Hence, the post was offensive to the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. Nevertheless, I didn't know what the post was."

He also added: “the investigator took my password of my Facebook account to be sure; hence, he found that the post was not on my page. Then, heintrogatedme me regards getting an amount of money, in addition to asking me about my political opinions. However, on 15th of December, I was released at around 2:30pm, due to the intervention of Palestinian Journalistic Syndicate."

 

 (16/12)- IOF detained Bara' Abdul Rahman Hammdan (19 years old)- the correspondent of Baladna radio in Bethlehem- in addition to deleting the images of his cell phone. Hammdan reported to MADA: " IOF detained me at an Israeli checkpoint, at the entrance of Helwah cemetery-eastern of Bethlehem, as I was filming there, rather than inspecting my car, taking my phone and checking photos, thus, most of them were  images of clashes. Then, they headed me from there to Fardeis checkpoint- eastern of Bethlehem where they detained me for four hours, and after deleting all images of my cell phone, they released me." 

 

 (16-12)- IOF shot dead the media student at Modern University Collage-Ahmad Hassan Ali Jahajha (22 years old) - from Qalandiya refugee camp-northern of Jerusalem. His cousin Rami Jahajha, who is also a media  student at Modern University Collage, reported to MADA: “Ahmad was killed by the bullets of IOF at around 1:30am,on Wednesday, 16th of December, in the time of raiding Qalandiya refugee camp, despite of there were no confrontations in that meanwhile.”

 

Rami added, who is also PAL Media cameraman, Ahmad used to film deferent events broken out at Qalandiya refugee camp and Ramallah. He voluntarily offered photos for Qalandiya Media Center. People, who live in Qalandiya refugee camp, said that Ahamd was actually filming and covering the raiding of Qalandiya camp by IOF, and he was killed at around 1:15 AM.”  

Journalist Nojoud Qassem, who is a lecture at Modern University Collage- also reported to MADA: “Ahmad was a student at Modern University collage, and he generally used to film the events at Qalandiya camp and Ramallah, including the confrontations at the entrance of Al-Bireh city. Hence, there was only one semester for him to end his education in the collage.” 

 

 (18/12)- IOF prevented more than 15 journalists from covering a during the Charismas march organized in Bethlehem. 24 Emirates News Agency correspondents- Ali Naser Ebidatt reported to MADA: after the Friday Prayer, most of Palestinian channels and foreign news agencies, in addition to many cameramen and photographers were present at the northern entrance of Bethlehem city, in order to cover Santa Clause march for celebrating the Charismas. However, IOF intentionally fired gas bombs, stun grenades, and rubber bullets towards them to prevent them from covering."

He also added: there were more than 15 journalists there. Some of these journalists were: Mahmud Elian- Quds TV correspondent, Nasser Shiokhi, Mamdouh Hammamrah, Nebal Farsakh, Essam Rimawi, Qais  abu Samra and others

 

 (18/12)- IOF fired Palestine Public TV crew, resulting in injuring the driver Yusri Rayiess. Hence, the correspondent of Palestine Public TV in Gaza Strip-Sally Mahmud Sakani (28 years old) reported to MADA: "Friday, 18th of December, the cameraman Muhammad Nassar, Yusri Rayess (a driver) and I were present at the eastern of Buriji-Gaza Strip, to cover events there. Thus, the driver Yusri Rayiess got shot with a bullet directly fired by IOF at him despite that we all were wearing press vests. Consequently, the bullet hit front of his left leg (between ankle and knee), rather than falling to the ground and suffering bleeding. Therefore, he was transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Dai Ballah-Gaza Strip, then to Al-Shefa' Hospital. 

 

 (20/12)- The Israeli Occupation Authorities transferred the correspondent of Majd Sudi News Channel-Muhammad Adeeb Ahmad Qaiq- for a period of six months without any charge. Note that Muhammad Qaiq was arrested by IOF on the morning of 21st of November, after exploding the main door and windows of his house in Abu Qash village-Ramallah, in addition to confiscating his cell phone and laptop as well as his wife’s cell phone. His wife- Faiha Shalash- reported to MADA: “20th of December, Israeli Occupation Authority informed the lawyer Mahmoud Jabareen at around 12:00PM that they issued a six-month administrative detention for my husband without trial.” 

Shalash also added: “in that meantime, Muhammad was transferred to Al-Ramlah hospital due to deterioration of health conditions; because of his hunger strike continuing for 27 days in a raw. However, on Thursday, 24th of December, court session held for him, but they delayed the approval of the decision of his administrative detention to 30th of December. Hence, his hunger strike continued even though IOF had taken his affidavit since 27th  of December. So that, we fear for his health condition, especially that there were two persons were holding him in the court.” 

 

 (22/12)- Israeli Occupation Soldiers prevented the anchor and the photographer of Marah Radio-Azmi Waleed Bannat- (25 years old) from covering events in Aroub refugee camp in Hebron governate-West Bank. They also deleted what he filmed, rather than detaining and summoning him. Bannat reported to MADA: “while I was covering the clashes at the entrance of Aroub refugee camp in the morning of 22nd of December, one of an occupation soldiers summoned me, in addition to deleting the images that were on my cell phone and seizing it, as well as confiscating my ID, rather than wielding his weapon at me.” 

He also added: “after that, a jeep headed me while I was handcuffed to a military tower next to Aroub refugee camp. There, they interrogated me for allegedly throwing stones, and involving in offensive marches against “Israel”, rather than threatening to arrest me. Hence, I was detained from 10:30am to 3:00pm. However, I was released after the intervention of the military liaison based on phoning them by the director of Marah radio station-Fawzi Da’nna.”

 

 (23-12)- Israeli occupation police handed over the freelance journalist-Samer Hussam Abu Eishah (28 years old) a decision to banish him from Jerusalem, for a period of five months. Abu Eishah reported to MADA: “there was a decision to exile me from east and west Jerusalem for a period of five months, started from 23/12/2015 to 15/5/2016. However, I refused to comply with that decision, and I was sitting-in for the fifth day at the Red Cross tent in Shaik Jarah district-Jerusalem.  

He also added: “previously, on 19th of August, I was arrested for a period of 44 days for allegedly visiting Lebanon, a country considered hostile to Israel. However, I was released on 1st of October 2015, as long as imposing a sentence of home confinement till 21st of December 2015. After that, I was surprised of the decision of banishing me from Jerusalem.” 

 

(25/12)- Palestinian Security Forces, who were wearing civilian clothes and holding sticks, assaulted at least eight journalists, while they were covering a demonstration at the entrance of Al-Bireh City-West Bank. they prevented them  from coverage, detain some of them seizing their equipment and deleting some of its content.

Palestine Today TV correspondent Jehad Barakat reported to MADA: Friday, 25th of December, when I arrived with the TV cameraman-Jamil Hashem Salhab- to the Roundabout of Pharmaceuticals-Al-Bierh city, in order to cover a demonstration heading towards Biet Eil settlement, at the entrance of Al-Bireh city, hence, there was a human barrier of the presidential guards  objecting that march. Once we arrived there, the clashes broke out between protesters and the presidential guards. Meanwhile, my colleague started filming, however, five or six people wearing civilian clothes, violently caught him, resulting in tearing his shirt in addition to confiscating his camera.”

He also added: they dragged me and my colleague away for around 20 meters since I asked for the reasons of preventing the filming of the march. One of security forces, who was wearing military uniforms, ordered to arrest me when I tried to use my cell phone. He also asked me to shut it down in addition to seizing it, rather than asking for our press cards. However, we were still detained for one hour and twenty minutes. Then, we were heading to the building of Palestine Monetary Authority. Hence, we were handed over to a car, while we found out that it followed to the Palestinian Intelligence Service. In that meantime, they checked my cell phone to make sure that it didn’t have any photo for the march as well as confiscating the memory of the camera before releasing us. Note that the camera’s memory was still detained until Saturday; however, Pal Today Channel took it after deleting all of its content.

He also confirmed in his comment on his Facebook: “he and his colleague saw disguised people, who were wearing sport clothes and most of them holding sticks, climbed into the cars of Palestinian Presidential guards when they pulled away from the place.”

Wattan TV correspondent-Duaa Muhammad Suyori (24 years old)- also reported to MADA: “ on 25th of December, at around 12:45pm, me and WATTAN TV’s cameraman-Ameer Mustafa Hamayl (29 years old)- were present at the roundabout of Pharmaceuticals in Al-Bierh city, to cover a demonstration heading towards Beit Eil settlement, which organized to demand the return of the  martyrs bodies(Israel used to keep their bodies as kind of punishment to their families some of the bodies are still being held in the Israeli  cemetery “numbers cemetery” for decades) . Hence, there was a human barrier of Palestinian Security Services, who were wearing civilian clothes, prevented journalists from covering, and when the cameraman- Ameer Hamayl- filmed from far distance, he saw that they prevented Aljazeera TV cameraman-Majdi Saffadi- from covering (he refused to report to MADA). On another hand, I wasn’t able to continue filming the demonstration, which continued for around one hour, fearing of confiscating my camera, especially that I was not able to know them since they were wearing like civilians.”

The cameraman-Ameer Hamayl- also reported to MADA: "they prevented me and many other journalists from covering, in addition to threatening to break my own camera."

Kuwait TV correspondent- Faleh Naseer Faleh (24 years old) - reported to MADA: "I was also present there at around 11:45AM. Even though they didn't detain me, there was someone, wearing civilian clothes, prevented me from covering, as well as seizing my camera. Accordingly, I asked him to respectfully treating me."  

Al-Aqsa TV correspondent-Mustafa Abdulrazaq Khawaja- also reported to MADA: “they just tryed to prevent us from covering. Hence, one of military members asked my colleague-the cameraman Khalil  Khader (28 years old) for shutting down the camera. Therefore, we went away from there, fearing of losing the camera's content."

 

(27/12)- Sawt Al-naqab radio station- broadcasting from Doura in the West Bank city of Hebron- exposed to interference by an Israeli radio, broadcasting around Sawt Alnaqab radio's wave. Nader Mahmud Maqbul (40 years old)-the director of Sawt Al-naqab radio- reported to MADA: " Sawt Al-Naqab radio's wave (94.9 FM)- licensed by Ministry of Information and Ministry of Telecommunications- exposed to an interference after Israeli "Richt Bait" radio started broadcasting in Naqab (Negev) and the southern area, at 95 FM, which is closed to  Sawt Al-naqab radio's wave. Thus, they have to broadcast at least higher than 3 points of our wave, so that jamming didn't occur. We actually know that there was jamming by listeners of our radio, telling us that there was an interference with Hebrew language cross Sawt Al-Naqab radio's wave. As a result, we started broadcasting at 101FM."

 

 (29/12)- journalist Abdul Salam  Aref Abu Nada (57 years old)- working with Internews as a project director, who lives in Ramallah but originally from Gaza- received a message via his professional email, threatening to assault his family, due to his writings against Hamas and political Islam as he said. Abu Nada reported to MADA: 29th of December, I received a message via my work email, threatening to killing me just because of my recently writings against Hamas. However, I filed a complaint against them at Palestinian police. The message was:

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Do you know Nizir Bannat? He is from Hebron, and he doesn’t belong to Hamas, but do you know that he is a detainee by Abbass Authority (Palestinian Authority prisons), for allegedly involving in verbally assault. However, the real reason of arresting him was that he partially uncover Abbas Authority. Nevertheless, we-Hamas- don’t treat patriotic people like how Abbas Authority did, but we have another different way to treat liars and cowards like you.. you attack us by your wittings even though we don't previously have anything against you, rather than we don't know you, hence you are like an imponderable person who is between Abbas (paletinian president) and Dahlan (former  Fateh leader ) and between Israeli Jewish and Sisi's Egyptian regime. Indeed, we know how you are coward, we know everything about you. However, everyone of your colleagues, working with Palestinian Public TV (fornication TV as describing it in the message), assault you, rather than telling us that you married a “slut”, who is working with TV, in addition to telling us that you worked against them even though they belong to PLO and they don't have any relation with the movement(Hamas). However, we know that you just deserve a spit. You have to leave Palestine before the ending of Rabi-ul-Awwa l(in January)  1437. Thus, we will cut your sons, daughters, wives and each one relates to you, rather than cutting your hands to stop writing against Hamas."

 

He also added: “I previously received threats from Hamas via calls, rather than being subjected to an assassination attempt at the beginning of 2006 in Gaza Strip. After that, I was subjected to an abduction attempt. For more illustration, my writings were against political  Islam in general, and they were not against them as Hamas. However, I used to receive threats via calls or through  my Facebook, but this one is the most violent."