Dangerous developments in media freedoms violation in Palestinian territories during May 2007
Two journalists and media worker were killed and Johnston abduction continue
At the time the world celebrated the International Day of Press Freedom on May 3 , the Palestinian territories witnessed a dangerous development in the attacks on journalists and media freedoms, presented by execution of economic affairs editor of Falasteen (Palestine) daily newspaper Sulaiman al-A’shi, and the administrative employee Mohamed Abdu, and journalist Essam al-Joujo from electronic news site Falasteen Mubasher (Palestine live), Since the assassination of journalist Khalil al-Zaben on 2nd of March 2004, the Palestinian territories did not witness killings of journalists, by Palestinian armed groups ( journalist Zakaria Ahmed was killed in an Israeli missile shrapnel 21/6/2006), in addition to the abduction of Abu Dhabi Channel Office Director Abdel Salam Abu Askar, Al-Resalah newspaper language editor Osama Abu Msameh, by armed Palestinian groups, such crimes represent a serious increase in the degree of violence against journalists, and very negative indicator in violation of media freedoms, which is a matter of great concern, and cast a black bloodstained, on the freedom of opinion and expression.
These heinous crimes, added to the disgraceful record of the aggressors on media freedoms in Palestine, which continue day after day, in flagrant violations of the freedom of opinion and expression, taking advantage of the absence of law and the security chaos, which prevail in the Palestinian territories, especially in Gaza Strip, which witnessed a new height of reciprocal violence last month.
The volume of what Felesteen newspaper journalists and workers were subjected to (the only daily published in Gaza Strip, which has been in the issuance since about one month about (3/5/2007)), indicates the obstacles and dangers which are facing journalists and workers in the Palestinian media, and constitutes a major obstacle to its development, and put many caveats in face of all who think to invest, in this vital and important sector.
Mada center calls on the Palestinian Authority and government to investigate the validity of the information, reported involvement of the security services and Executive force members, of al-A’shi, Abdu, and al-Joujo killings, Abu Askar and Abu Msameh kidnapping, and to prosecute all persons responsible of attacks on journalists and media institutions, and to bring them to justice.
It is noticeable that some media outlets, in Gaza Strip, particularly radio and electronic media, plays an inflammatory role, contribute to the internal situation complication, and adding oil to the fire of fighting, and conflict between Fatah and Hamas movements, therefore, Mada calling the media outlets, to respect professional standards, objectivity and impartiality, in its coverage of events, and its dissemination of information and publication.
Mada center renew deep concern over the fate of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who was kidnapped since the 12th of last March (in spite of his appearance alive and well, in the tape distributed by the kidnappers, which was broadcast in the media), especially in light of the deteriorating security conditions in the Gaza Strip, the intensification of Israeli aggression in recent weeks, and renews its call on Palestinian authority and government to make further efforts for his release.
For its part, the Israeli occupation forces have escalated their attacks, on the media freedoms last month, which the worst was the arrest of Falasteen daily newspaper Office Director in West Bank Walid Khalid, storming in five local television and radio stations and confiscation of equipment in Nablus city, and the continuing attacks on journalists and participants in peaceful demonstrations, against the construction of the apartheid wall and the confiscation of land, especially in the Blain,Um Salmoneh, Artas and Bani Na’em villages, in attempt to conceal the truth, the prominent example was the shooting from very close range which does not exceed two meters and deliberately at France Press photographer, Abbas Moumni, which resulted in injuring him in his forehead. Such practices which contradict to all international laws and covenants, are committed by a State alleges, it is oasis of democracy in the Middle East.
Mada center demands international humanitarian institutions to put pressure on the government of Israel to release Khaled, and all journalists detained in its prisons, and to stop violations of media freedoms, in the occupied Palestinian territories, and bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.

Monthly Summary Report

1. (May 1) - Photographer Mahfouz Abu Turk, Dubai channel photographer Nael Mansour, were beaten by Israeli occupation forces, during their coverage of Workers World Day march, near Kalandia checkpoint, north of Jerusalem.
2. (May 2) - WAFA agency photographer Saif Aldahlah, Associated Press photographer Mohamed Alblas, Aljazeera correspondent Ali Smoudi, Reuters photographer Mohammed Turkman, were subjected to run over attempt, by the driver of an Israeli military bulldozer, where he chased them twice in the narrow streets of Jenin refugee camp, during their coverage of the Israeli occupation forces camp raid, and the number of youths throwing stones at the bulldozer.
3.(May 9)- Reuters cameraman Bassam Masa’ud, Wafa agency photographer Ya’qup Abu Ghalwah, were beaten, and their cameras were smashed , by a Khanions city family gunmen, during their coverage of the gunmen attack, on the communications company headquarters in the city.
4. (May 12)– Palestinian public television correspondent in Jerusalem city, Muhammad Alsaied, was arrested at Rantis (Ramallah) checkpoint, and questioned by Israeli security forces for four hours, then released.
5. (May 13)- Editor of economic affairs in the Falasteen daily newspaper Sulaiman Abdul Rahim al-A’shi (25 years), was kidnapped and executed, and administrative employee in the newspaper Mohammad Matar Abdu (25 years old), was seriously wounded in the feet, by armed Palestinian group, who was wearing official uniforms in Gaza City.
6. (May 14) Administrative employee in Felesteen newspaper Mohammad Matar Abdu (25 years), died in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, from wounds sustained the previous day.
7. (May 15)- Journalist Essam al-Joujo (22 years old) from electronic news site Falasteen Mubasher (Palestine live), was executed, by armed Palestinian group, after forcing him to step from his car in central Gaza City, where he was on a working mission to cover incidents of internal fighting, they shoot him ,which led to his death immediately.
8. (May 15) - Al-Resalah newspaper language editor Osama Abu Msameh, was abducted by armed Palestinian group, who was wearing official uniform, after forcing him to step from the car he was riding in Gaza City, on his way back to his house, they assault him during the interrogation, which lasted about three hours, he was moved blindfolded to a place in central Gaza, and they opened fire at his legs, left him at the scene, where he was transferred to the Shifa Hospital for treatment.
9. (May 16) - Dozens of journalists were besieged inside Shua –Husari, Aljawhara, and Alshouroq towers, in Gaza City, where are located many of headquarters and offices of local, Arab and international media, such as the Ramatan news agency, Aljazeera and Alarabiya, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), during the armed clashes between armed groups affiliated to Fatah and Hamas movements, although the journalists weren’t intended by siege, but their lives were at risk. Sawt Alqusds Radio broadcasting studio was partially damaged, which led to the interruption of transmission for about 12 hours.
10. (May 18)- Abu Dhabi channel office director in Gaza Strip Abdul Salam Abo Askar, was abducted by armed Palestinian group, during his return to his home on evening, in Gaza City, and taken to an unknown location, he was released safe and sound after two hours, several sources confirmed the kidnappers belong to the executive force.
11. (May 18)– Falasteen newspaper office director in the West Bank Walid Khalid, was arrested by Israeli occupation authorities, after raiding his family house in Iskaka (Salfit) village.
12. (May 18) - Reuters crew in Hebron (Nayef al-Hashlamun, Haitham Obaid, Yusri al-Jamal, and Mamoon Wazwaz), were beaten by Israeli occupation forces, during the march dispersal in Bani Na’im (Hebron) town, against settlers attempts to confiscate a large area of their land, journalists were attacked also, during Blain (Ramallah), Um Selmuneh (Bethlehem) demonstrations against the apartheid wall construction.
13. (May 21) - Three television stations (Gama TV, Afaq TV, Senna TV) and two radio stations (Quran al-Kareem Radio, Jabal el-Nar Radio), were stormed in, by Israeli occupation forces, broadcast equipment and archival material were confiscated from the headquarters, which led to halt of their broadcast, Nablus TV also was stormed in and a search was carried out, but has not confiscated any equipment. the occupying forces have transfusing radio waves of Nablus TV, Sawt al-Najah Radio, in Nablus city (February 25) to broadcast military statement, the following day they stormed Sanabil TV and arrested its Director Nabeg Breack, and confiscated equipment, It is noteworthy that 8 TV stations and three radio stations broadcast locally from Nablus city.
14. (May 21) - Reuters, France Press, and Ma’an agencies crews, were shoot at by Efrat settlement guards, south of Bethlehem, while covering protest march against the construction of the apartheid wall, the confiscation of land from the village of Artas.
15. (May 25) - France Press photographer, Abbas Moumni, was wounded in the forehead by a rubber bullet, fired by Israeli occupation soldier deliberately, during his coverage of the Blain village weekly demonstration, he was transferred to hospital in Ramallah for treatment, number of journalists were prevented from covering the demonstration, in pretext that the village was a closed military zone.