Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) strongly
condemns detention of Jared Malsin, chief English editor Ma’an News Agency,
by Israel authority and its intention to deport him According to Ma’an
press release Malsin is scheduled appear at a Tel Aviv hearing set at the
Tel Aviv District Court today, 14 January 2010, that will determine whether
or not Israeli Authorities will continue deportation proceedings against
him, a verdict is expected at noon. Malsin, an American citizen, was
originally detained upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport at 4pm
on Tuesday, 12 January 2009.

Malsin was scheduled for deportation at 6am Thursday. The move was
temporarily stayed when Ma’an attorney Castro Daoud filed an injunction,
denied by Israel’s attorney general but accepted by Judge Sokolov shortly
before midnight. Interrogation transcripts reveal that Malsin’s detention
was linked to his work as a professional journalist.

He was interrogated for eight hours in a detention hall during which time
he had no access to a lawyer or to his consulate. Airport officials
indicated that he was denied entry into the country for “failing to
cooperate" with Israeli security personnel, and because he had authored
news stories “inside the territories" and articles “criticizing the State
of Israel." The documents question his Jewish heritage, as well.

MADA condemns this act, which is serious violation of freedom of
expression, and demand the international community to pressure the Israeli
government to release Malson and to stop his deportation process.