Ramallah – January 4th, 2023. The last month of the year 2022 has witnessed the total of 29 violations against media freedom in Palestine. The number of violations documented in December increased relatively compared to the previous month (November) that witnessed 21 violations, 12 of which were committed by the Israeli Occupation Forces,7 violations committed by Palestinian authorities in the West Bank, and two violations committed by the social media networks.
During the last month, the Israeli Forces and Authorities committed 20 violations of the total. As for the Palestinian Authorities, they committed 3 violations and there were no documented violations committed by the social media networks.
However, other authorities committed the total of 6 violations during the last month, one of which was the closure of the “German TV” Office in Gaza Strip and firing the working crew without clear reasons.
Israeli Violations:
The number of Israeli violations has increased from being 12 violations committed in November to 20 violations in last December – 2022. The percentage of Israeli violations reached 69% of all violations committed during that month.
One of the most prominent violations during the last month is the incitement “Al-Jazeera TV” was subject to in the Palestinian Territories by Israeli Official Authorities. These authorities called for the seizure of the credentials of “Al-Jazeera” reporters operating in Israel after Al-Jazeera filed a lawsuit at the International Criminal Court due to the killing of the Agency’s reporter who was operating in the Palestinian Territories “SHIREEN ABU AKLEH” last May.
The suffocation of “Palestine TV” crew (reporter MOHAMMED AL-KHATEEB and cameraman FADI JAYYUSI) with teargas during their coverage of the clashes that took place in “Beit Dajan” to the east of Nablus city was one of the most serious violations. The Israeli Occupation Forces also targeted not less than 10 journalists with stun grenades and teargas to stop them from covering the same clashes.
Moreover, the Israeli Occupation Forces soldiers detained “Al-Quds” Network cameraman MOTASEM SAQF AL-HEIT and the reporter of “Palestine Post” SAJA AL-ALAMI during their coverage to the clashes that took place at the north entrance of Al-Bireh city. They also prevented them from continuing the overage of the clashes, searched their vehicle thoroughly believing that the camera tripod is a weapon.
The Israeli Occupation Authorities arrested the anchorman of “Al-Aqsa TV” MOTASEM SAMARA while he was going through “Surra” barrier to the west of Nablus city for 14 days. The Israeli Intelligence Service interrogated MOTASEM multiple times regarding the participation and covering of various events. They also arrested the journalist ABDULRAHMAN HASSAN from his house in Bethlehem, confiscated his cellphones, and interrogated him at “Etzion” Holding Center before releasing him on the same day.
Last December, the Israeli Occupation Authorities released the journalist BUSHRA ATTAWEEL after 9 months in administrative arrest. They also released the media student at “Al-Quds” University DINA JARADAT who spent 4 months in prison. Moreover, they continued their arbitrary procedures against the Jerusalemite journalist LAMA GHOUSHEH and adjourned her trial until February 14th, 2023, with continued home arrest and prohibition of communications.
Palestinian Violations:
The number of Palestinian violations has decreased during last December in comparison with last November. The number of violations reached 3 with the percentage of 12% of all violations documented last month which all occurred in Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian violations resulted after security members of “Hamas” assaulted 3 cameramen and prevented them from covering of “Hamas” 35th anniversary festival. This led the cameramen ATTIA DARWEESH, MUSTAFA HASSOUNEH, and NIDAL AL-WHEIDY to leave the area immediately.
Details of Violations:
December 1st. The Israeli Occupation Authorities arrested the anchorman MOTASEM SAMARA while he was going through “Surra” barrier to the west of Nablus city on Thursday evening, December 1st, and they released him after 14 days.
MOTASEM TAYSEER SAMARA (45 years old) the anchorman at “Al-Aqsa TV” reported to MADA that he was on his own way to Tulkarm coming from Ramallah around 05:00 PM on Thursday, December 1st. When he reached “Surra” barrier to the west of Nablus city, the Israeli Occupation Forces stopped his car and arrested him.
MOTASEM was transported to “Huwara” Detention Center and on the next day he was transported to “Jalamah” Prison where he remained for 14 days. During his arrest, the journalist was subject to multiple interrogation sessions most of which focused on the activities and events that he covers and participates in.
The journalist was brought before court three times during his arrest. The first two court sessions took place at “Jalamah” Prison where his arrest was extended. The last session was on Wednesday, December 14th at “Salem” Court where his case was closed, and he was released unconditionally for lack of proof.
December 6th. Israeli Official Authorities incited for the seizure of credentials of “Al-Jazeera” reporters operating in Israel after Al-Jazeera filed a lawsuit at the International Criminal Court due to the killing of the Agency’s reporter “SHIREEN ABU AKLEH” last May.
The far-right “AVIGDOR LEIBERMAN” called for the Government Press Office to seize the credentials of “Al-Jazeera” reporters operating in Israel as a response to the lawsuit filed by “Al-Jazeera” before the International Criminal Court against Israel after the martyrdom of the reporter “SHIREEN ABU AKLEH”. “LEIBERMAN” tweeted: “It is inconceivable that “Al-Jazeera” continues to broadcast from Israel while it files a lawsuit against Israel and offers moral preaches.”
The National Security Secretary “ITAMAR BEN-GVIR” commented: “Al-Jazeera TV is a network of anti-Semitic and false propaganda against Israel all around the world.” He also tweeted: “Al-Jazeera TV must be expelled from Israel today and its anti-Israel lies from within Israel must be stopped.” As he claims.
December 8th. The Israeli Occupation Authorities arrested the freelance journalist ABDULRAHMAN HASSAN from his house in Bethlehem, on Thursday at dawn. The Israeli Intelligence interrogated him and released him on the same day at around 11:00 AM.
The freelance journalist ABDULRAHMAN ABDULKAREEM HASSAN (35 years old) reported to MADA that an Israeli Occupation Force raided the house that is located in the center of Bethlehem around 03:00 AM on Thursday, December 8th and asked him to hand over his personal cellphones. When he handed over the first cellphone (iPhone), they asked for the second one; he informed them that the phone was at a repair shop close to the house, yet they asked him to send his wife to bring it.
About 03:00 AM the soldiers left the journalist’s house after handcuffing and blindfolding him and they transported him to “Etzion” Detention Center. They arrived there at 07:00 AM and kept him waiting until 09:30 AM when he was presented to the Israeli intelligence officer.
The intelligence officer interrogated the journalist regarding the nature of his work and the agencies he works for. He also told the journalist that he communicates with agencies in Gaza and Lebanon, but the journalist replied that it is his job and all his correspondences with such agencies are legit including financial transactions sent by them. The journalist also added that due to the nature of his work of conveying the truth, he has worked with other agencies in the United States of America, Italy, and other countries around the world.
The officer replied, without clarifying which agencies he is talking about specifically: “you think you are communicating with journalists, but on the contrary. They are people who belong to terrorist groups, and you must stop dealing with them.” Based on that, the officer withdrew the permit that allows the journalist to enter the Palestinian Occupied Territories and he subjected him to a security block.
The journalist was released at 10:30 AM and left the Intelligence HQ back to Bethlehem at 11:00 AM.
December 14th. Affiliate members of Hamas hindered the work of cameramen and journalists and prevented them from roaming freely to cover its 35th anniversary festivities in Gaza Strip on Wednesday, December 14th.
The freelance journalist ATTIA DARWEESH (35 years old) reported to MADA that a group of journalists were present at 12:00 PM on Wednesday to cover a crowded festival Hamas called for at the “Green Battalion” square to the west of Gaza city in celebration of its anniversary.
As the festival approached its start, the journalists who were present to cover it were assaulted by the security members of Hamas to prevent them from covering the festivities. The journalists were prevented to move freely from one location to another and some were subject to pushing. Such harassments led some of the journalists to leave the area.
NIDAL AL-WHEDY the cameraman of “An-Najah Nbc” and MUSTAFA HASSOUNEH the cameraman of “Anadolu Agency” were identified along with DARWEESH to be present at the location.
December 16th. The Israeli Occupation soldiers targeted a group of journalists with stun grenades and teargas to prevent them from covering a march against settlement in “Beit Dajan” to the east of Nablus city. The targeting resulted in the injury of one of “Palestine TV” crew who suffocated severely due to teargas.
MOHAMMED ABDULKAREEM ALKHATEEB (32 years old) the reporter of “Palestine TV” in Salfit reported to MADA that he was present along with cameraman FADI JAYYUSI and a large group of other journalists in “Beit Dajan” to cover a march at 12:00 PM on Friday against settlement.
Two groups of Israeli soldiers were present during the coverage of the march, one of which was on the same road the march was taking, and the other one was posted on top of the opposite mountain.
Despite wearing “PRESS” uniform during the coverage of the journalists of the Israeli attacks. The soldiers who were posted on the mountain targeted “Palestine TV” crew, who were meters away from the location of the other journalists, with two teargas canisters and with a short-time difference in between.
The crew was severely suffocated and had field treatment for minutes inside an ambulance that was present at the location. The aftermath of inhaling teargas was worse the next day, as they suffered from shortness of breath along with chest pain.
MOHAMMED KHDEIR SAMREEN (36 years old) the cameraman of “Al-Jazeera Live” mentioned that since the start of the march, the journalists were subject to harassments and were prevented from coverage, as the Israeli soldiers fired stun grenades and teargas heavily to disperse them.
All journalists present in that location were subject to the soldiers’ assaults despite keeping distance from the protestors as well as the soldiers.
Some of the journalists that were present: MUJAHED TABANJEH the reporter of “Palestine Post”, JEHAD BADAWI the cameraman of “Palestine Today”, MOHAMMED ABU THABET freelance cameraman, LAITH JAAR the cameraman of “J-Media”, ABDULLAH BAHSH the reporter of “PNN”, JAAFAR ISHTYEH the cameraman of “AFP”, NASER ISHTYEH the cameraman of “SIPA USA”, NIDAL ISHTYEH freelance journalist, and photojournalist HAZEM NASSER.
December 20th. The Israeli soldiers detained both “Al-Quds” Network cameraman MOTASEM SAQF AL-HEIT and the journalist SAJA AL-ALAMI during their coverage to the clashes that took place at the north entrance of Al-Bireh city close to “Beit El” settlement for 10 minutes, on Tuesday. They also prevented them from continuing the overage of the clashes and searched their vehicle thoroughly.
SAJA SHAKER AL-ALAMI (28 years old) the reporter of “Palestine Post” reported to MADA that she was present along with her colleague MOTASEM SAMEER SAQF AL-HEIT (32 years old) the cameraman of “Al-Quds” Network around 03:00 PM at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh close to “Beit El” settlement (Beit El barrier) that is located on the lands of the people of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, to the northeast of Al-Bireh, 300m away from the location of the soldiers. They were covering the clashes that took place in the area between the citizens and the soldiers after the announcement of the martyrdom of the prisoner NASER ABU HMAEID in Israeli prisons.
The journalists almost finished the coverage at around 05:30 PM, and as SAJA was putting the camera tripod inside the vehicle where her colleague MOTASEM is waiting, she stopped to take some photos of the Israeli military jeeps which were approaching them.
The Israeli military jeeps approached their vehicle preventing them from finishing their coverage, detaining them for 10 minutes, and searching their vehicle thoroughly believing that the camera tripod is a weapon.
The Israeli soldiers finished the search and allowed the journalists to leave the area.
December 21st. The German TV “ARD” shut down its office in Gaza Strip and fired all personnel with the excuse that the German public are not interested anymore to listen to the issues and news of the Middle East.
ZAKARIA HASAN ATTALMAS (61 years old) the Director of “ARD” reported to MADA that the German TV informed him of the shutdown and the firing of the working personnel on October 18th, 2022. However, ZAKARIA had some hopes that the German TV Management will change their decision.
The shutdown was reconfirmed during December by the end of the month and the personnel were told to hand over all devices to another party. The excuse was that the German public are not interested in the Arab affairs let alone the issues of the Middle East, in addition to having new policies for the TV Management to cut financial expenses.
It is worth mentioning that the TV personnel are only 5 employees who just lost their jobs due to this decision.
