The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) expresses
concern because Ramattan agency was obliged to close its offices, to
protest the raid of its office in Gaza city by the internal security of the
dismissed government, on 10 Nov., and preventing the Palestinian National
Action to hold a press conference there.

Ramattan said in a statement that the closure came after the accumulation
of several factors related to the violation of law, freedom of expression
and press freedom, and harassment faced by the internal security forces of
the government in Gaza, and the prevention of holding the press conference.

One of Ramattan officer, who preferred not to be named, said that it was
scheduled to hold a press conference for the Palestinian National Action
around 7:00 PM before yesterday (10 Nov.) in order to announce a statement
indicating that the dismissed government did not allow them to commemorate
the fifth anniversary of Yasser Arafat death. And when the conference was
due to begin, the internal security raided their offices, and told them
that it was not allowed to hold the press conference because they did not
get permission for it.

MADA center condemns the Internal Security forces raid of Ramattan
headquarters and the prevention of holding the press conference, and
considers it flagrant violation of freedom of expression. MADA calls for
cessation of all attacks and harassment against journalists and media
outlets in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.