MADA: 7 journalists killed amongst many other gross media violations in August.
MADA, Ramallah: The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) monitored 58 violations against journalists and media freedoms in Palestine during the month of August 2014. 53 were committed by the Israeli occupation Forces (IOF) and 5 by Palestinian sides.
Israel’s attacks against journalists and media freedoms escalated sharply since the beginning of its military aggression on Gaza, with 16 journalists and media worker, in addition to 1 media activist killed between 8 July (beginning of the attack) and 26 August 2014 (date of the truce).
MADA General Director Mousa Rimawi declared: “The month of August witnessed the killing of 7 journalists by the IOF, in addition to other serious violations of media freedoms aimed at concealing the truth, including the complete destruction of 8 media outlets headquarters and the injuring of 8 journalists."
Rimawi pointed out that the IOF attacks against media freedoms were not only committed in the Gaza Strip but also in the West Bank, where 21 Israeli abuses were monitored by MADA.
He added that the arrest of web activist Suhaib Zahedeh on 28/7 as a result of his comments on Facebook, incriminated for representing "incitement against Israelis," is the first case of formal arrest for writings on Facebook. This confirms that the Israeli occupation authorities are trying to suppress media freedoms and freedom of expression in Palestine. Over a million Palestinians use social media websites as communication tools and should be allowed to freely express their thoughts without constraints.
Media freedoms violations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in August 2104
|
Total |
Palestinian violations |
Israeli violations |
|
|
32 |
0 |
32 |
Gaza Strip |
|
26 |
5 |
21 |
West Bank |
|
58 |
5 |
53 |
Total |
|
100% |
9% |
91% |
% of total |
In August the Israeli attacks and violations against Palestinian media freedoms in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem consisted in the following: killing, destroying media headquarters, damaging journalists' houses, injuring journalists by bullets and bombing, arrest, preventing free movement, threats, prevention from coverage, detention, interrogation, and beating.
The violations committed by the IOF against media freedoms that month were very dangerous. More and more frequently journalists and media outlets are exposed to multiple violations – such as beating, detention, and interrogation – at the same time.
Israeli Violations
Physical abuses/killings
Since the beginning of the Israeli military attack on the Gaza Strip on 8 July 2014, a total of 17 journalists and media workers have been killed, and 17 others have been injured.
This use of extensive violence against Palestinian journalists – and civilians in general – is unprecedented, even during the previous Israeli aggressions on Gaza.
Media workers killed in August 2014
|
Profession |
Date of death |
Age |
Name |
|
|
Al-Aqsa Website and Sada Al-Mala’eb photojournalist |
1/8/2014 |
21 |
Abdallah Nasir Fahjan |
1 |
|
Palestinian Network for Press and Media Freedom photojournalist |
2/8/2014 |
26 |
Mahmoud Nour Dein Deri |
2 |
|
Freelance journalist |
2/8/2014 |
24 |
Shadi Hamdi Ayad |
3 |
|
Saja Agency director |
4/8/2104 |
27 |
Hamadah Khalid Mqat |
4 |
|
Associated Press photojournalist |
13/8/2104 |
35 |
Simeon Camilli |
5 |
|
Doha Center and AFP photojournalist, Associated Press translator |
13/8/2104 |
37 |
Ali Shahte Abu Afesh |
6 |
|
Al-Zakat press officer and former Al-Aqsa TV and Nibras Media Company cameraman |
25/8/2104 |
26 |
Abdallah Fadel Murtaja |
7 |
The journalists injured by Israeli fire in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were: Reuters Agency photojournalist Mousa Issa Qawasmi, injured in the knee by a live bullet while covering a protest in Hebron on 1/8/2014; Anadolu photojournalist Mateen Youksal Kaia, who sustained burns and light injuries as a result of an Israeli shelling on a group of journalists covering events in Khan Younes on 1/8/2104; Wafa and Associated Press photojournalist Hatem Mahmoud Mousa, critically injured and amputated below his right knee as a result of the detonation of an unexploded Israeli shell while preparing a report on that very subject on 13/8/2104; Radio Rabe'a anchor Radi Ahmed Karama, injured in Hebron by a rubber-coated steel bullet while covering the destruction of Qawasmi's house by the Israeli army on 18/8/2014; Wafa News Agency photojournalist Ahmad Taiem Mezher, injured by a rubber-coated steel bullet which fractured his finger; Bethlehem news agency photographer Muhisen Amareen, injured by a rubber-coated steel bullet in the abdomen while covering clashes with Israeli soldiers in Bethlehem on 22/8/2014; Al-Aqsa TV cameraman in Gaza Ahmad Muhammed Nasir and freelance journalist Ali Hassan Jadallah, who sustained injuries while covering the shelling of the Italian Tower in Gaza on 26/8/2014; Palestine Public TV journalist Ali Dar Ali, targeted by an Israeli sound canister while reporting live events in the West Bank village of Silwad on 22/8/2014; and a group of journalists attacked by the IOF with sound canisters while covering events in Hebron on 15/8/2014.
Prevention from coverage
The Israeli occupation soldiers prevented journalists from covering events by beating and detaining them. This was the case of Reuters photojournalist Abed Raheem Qusini, European News Agency photojournalist and FM 24 Radio correspondent Ala Badarneh, and AFP photojournalist Jafar Ishtaiaha, beaten while they were covering a march in Nablus on 8/8/2014. Associated Press photojournalist Iyad Hammad was punched and pushed to the ground while he was covering a demonstration of solidarity with Gaza in the West Bank city of Hebron on 15/8/2014, he was detained four hours and then transferred to a police station for interrogation.
On 16/08/2104 a group of Israeli settlers raided the house of photojournalist Maher Abu Hayya, who is also a volunteer at the Israeli human rights NGO B'Tselem. Since he filmed them while doing so, they complained to the IOF that he had thrown stones at them. The IOF took him to a military camp, handcuffed and blindfolded, and attempted to arrest him for stone-throwing.
Destruction of media outlets headquarters and journalists' homes
The IOF shelled many media outlets headquarters and journalists' houses. On 26/8/2014, the Israeli army shelled the 15-floor Basha Tower in Gaza city, causing the destruction of the premises of the following 8 media organizations which were located inside: Sawt Al-Shab Radio (21 employees), Gaza Women Voice radio (15 journalists and volunteers), Al-Soud Press Office (3 employees), Top Office for Advertising, Sajaya for Media Production, Ahalina for TV and Media Production, Lama for Cinema Production, and Star Com for Media Services. On 3/8 the IOF shelling of the Mushtaha Tower in Gaza damaged the office of Anadolu Turkish news agency and the vehicles of Xinhua Chinese news agency. The houses of journalists Mariam Awad Allah Salamh and Zakaria Talmas were completely destroyed on 4/8 and 23/8 respectively. And the homes of media workers Hanin Ibrahim Othman and Al-Jazeera producer Khalid Tawfiq Labad were damaged on 1/8 and 23/8 respectively as a result of the shelling of nearby buildings.
Prevention from free movement
The Israeli occupation authorities prevented Al-Hayya Al-Jadida photojournalist Esam Rimawi and Wafa correspondent Bilal Geith from traveling through Al-Karama crossing on 10/8/2014 while they were heading to Germany in the framework of the "Journalists Friends of Local Governance" prize supported by German governmental institutions.
Threats
Trans Media for Media Production chairman and owner Amer Jabari and another employee were threatened on 29/8/2014 by the Israeli intelligence service collaborator Abed Hamid Rjoub after a film they produced on Israeli spies was broadcasted on Al-Jazeera TV. Rjoub accused them of depicting him in a very negative way in the film.
Arrest and extension of administrative detention
In an unprecedented case, the Israeli occupation forces arrested web activist Suhaib Zahda for his comments on Facebook, incriminated for representing "incitement against Israelis." Zahda had posted comments on his Facebook page against the commander of the Israeli “Golani” brigade, Ghassan Alian, involved in the latest Israeli attack on Gaza.
Many Palestinian journalists and citizens have been subjected to investigation by the Israeli occupation during their detention for expressing their opinions on social media but this is the first case of formal arrest for writings on Facebook.
On 6/8 the Israeli occupation authorities extended the administrative detention of Quds Press correspondent Muhamad Anwar Muna for another six months.
Summons for interrogation
On 19/8/2014 the Israeli intelligence services summoned three journalists for interrogation (Raya FM Network correspondent Samer Nazzal and its photojournalist Shadi Hatem, Anatolia photojournalist Muaz Mashal). They were suspected of participating in the sabotage of electricity lines providing power to Israeli settlements near village of Ein Erek west of Ramallah. They were forced to sign a pledge committing them to pay a fine if they did not attend their court hearing.
Palestinian Violations
4 violations against media freedoms were committed by Palestinian sides in the West Bank. A 5th one was reported but the perpetrators are still unknown.
The most prominent violation was the attack on Dr. Abdulasattar Qasem, professor of political science at Al-Najah National University, writer and political figure known for his critics of the Palestinian Authority. Armed men shot live bullets at him while he was driving near his home in Nablus city.
Types of Palestinian violations in August2014
|
Number |
Type of violation |
|
1 |
Physical abuses |
|
2 |
Summons for interrogation |
|
2 |
Threat |
|
5 |
Total |
The Palestinian violations included: Al-Quds TV correspondent Ahmad Natsha was threatened by phone by Fateh secretary in Hebron Ammar Kharwat after comments he had made about a demonstration held in Hebron on 01/08/2014; Al-Quds Press Agency correspondent Zaid Mustafa Abu Arrrah was summoned by the Palestinian preventive security services for interrogation on 16/08/2014; Asda news website correspondent Qutaiba Saleh Qasem was summoned by the Palestinian intelligence services on 19/8/214 for his coverage of events in Hebron; Palestine Public TV anchor and board member of the journalists syndicate Rania Hamdallah had her car vandalized twice on 22/8 and 23/8 by unknown individuals.
Recommendations
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) expresses its deep sadness for the death of journalists in August as a result of the violent and bloody Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. MADA again stresses that these crimes and violations of human rights and media freedoms are the outcome of Israel’s total impunity in the past decades.
MADA condemns all Israeli crimes and attacks against journalists and media freedoms in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem and asks the international community to put pressure on the Israeli government to end these practices. The perpetrators must be hold accountable and compensation must be paid to the victims.
MADA also condemns the violations committed by Palestinian sides in the West Bank against journalists and freedom of expression. MADA demands an end to these practices and asks that a diligent investigation of Dr. Abdulasattar Qasem’s attack be conducted and that those responsible be held accountable.
N.B.: MADA believes that the number of media violations committed in the Gaza Strip is larger than what it has registered so far. This is mainly due to the fact that some journalists suffered minor violations of their rights and have not reported them to MADA at the time of writing and publication of this report. MADA will add any new testimony in its annual report.
Details of Violations
1/8 - Al-Aqsa sports website and Sada Al-Mala’eb photojournalist Abdullah Nasr Fahjan (21 years old) was killed by a missile while he was covering the Israeli assault on Rafah city, Gaza Strip.
His brother Ahmad reported to MADA: “Abdullah was taking photos of displaced people from west Rafah (who had been warned by the IOF to leave the area because they wanted to shell it). He was in Al-Falouje Street, Al-Jneene neighborhood, when an Israeli aircraft shelled the place at 12:20 PM. He was severely injured in the head and was drove to Abu Yousif Al-Najjar hospital in Rafah. He could not get treatment because his condition was very serious and because of the lack of medical personnel. He was transferred to the European hospital in Khan Younis but they could not save his life. He died at around 3:00 PM.”
1/8 - The house of Haneen Ibrahim Othman, coordinator of the Gaza Center for Media Freedoms monitoring unit,was damaged by an Israeli shelling in Bet Lahia, Gaza Strip.
Othman reported to MADA: “Our neighbors (Razayne family) were warned by the IOF that their house would be shelled. All the families of the surrounding area, including us, evacuated their houses. At around 7 pm, the Razaynes’ house was shelled by several F-16 missiles, destroying it and causing material damage to the nearby houses including ours. The damage in our case was minor (the windows, doors and shutters were destroyed). No injuries were reported since all the houses had been evacuated.”
1/8 - The IOF assaulted journalists who were covering a demonstration in Hebron city, south West Bank. They threw stun grenades at them and shot a live bullet at Reuter photojournalist Mousa Issa Al-Qawasme.
Al-Qawasme reported to MADA: “We were covering a demonstration in Bab Al-Zawya, in Hebron city center, and I was standing close to the Israeli soldiers. One of them threw stun grenades at us, three of these grenades hit the ground near me. I moved to where the protestors were and stood behind a pillar to protect myself. The soldiers were deploying in an unfamiliar way, they were more numerous than usual. They targeted me with a live bullet although I was wearing a Press vest, and I was injured in my left knee as a result.”
He added: “I went to Alya governmental hospital in Hebron. The tomography showed that the bullet had split into two pieces.”
1/8 - Al-Quds TV correspondent in Hebron Akram Natshe (35 years old) was threatened by a Fatah official because of what he had said in a live TV program.
Natshe reported to MADA: “Yesterday I spoke in a live TV program about demonstrations which were held in Hebron and how some Fatah members tried to change the demonstration itinerary to avoid an area where clashes had erupted. I said that the protestors did not listen to them and headed to the clashes. After the program ended, I got a phone call from Ammar Kharwat (Fatah Secretary in Hebron), who questioned me about what I had said during the program and threatened me. He said that he would teach me a lesson. Fortunately, the call was recorded.”
1/8 - Anadolu cameraman Matin Yuksal Kaya (23 years old) was injured during a ceasefire by an Israeli tank shelling in Khan Younis.
Kaya reported to MADA: “After the start of a 72-hour ceasefire on Friday 1/8, I went with my colleague Onur Chuban (36 years old) and some civilians to Al-Zanne area in Khan Younis to cover the return of displaced people. When we arrived to Al-Zanne, we saw an Israeli tank approaching us with its cannon pointed at us. We were forced to take another street but we got trapped. When we tried to take photos of what was happening, the tank shelled us so we moved back. Later on they targeted us with another shell that exploded and caused a fire which burned a tree and a nearby house. We were rescued out of the area by a local family who sheltered us in their house.”
Kaya added: “I got minor burns and injuries in my hands and arms, but I did not get any treatment nor did I go to the hospital.”
2/8 - Freelance journalist Shadi Hamdi Ayyad (24 years old) was killed together with his father by an Israeli airstrike on Al-Zaytoon neighborhood in Gaza.
The Palestinian Health ministry spokesman said that they were brought to Al-Shifa hospital after they were targeted by Israeli airplane.
2/8 - The Palestinian Media Network photojournalist Mohammad Nouriddeen Al-Diri (26 years old) died from severe head injuries.
The Palestinian Media Network director Nasr Abu Al-Foul reported to MADA that Al-Diri was injured during an IOF shell on Al-Shujaia market in Gaza on 30/7/2014. He was taken to Al-Shifa hospital and died on 2/8/2014 at 2:00 PM.
3/8 - The office of Anadolu Turkish news agency was damaged in the shelling of the Mushtaha Tower in Gaza.
Anadolu correspondent in Gaza Metin Kaya reported to MADA: “Al-Moltazem Assurance Company, which is located on the 10th floor of the tower, was shelled by Israeli airstrikes, which caused damage to our office situated on the 3rd floor. One window was destroyed. Nobody from the staff was injured, even though all the workers were present in the office at that moment.”
3/8 - Vehicles of the Chinese news agency Xinhua were damaged in the same attack on Mushtaha Tower.
Xinhua photographer and montage technician Khader Abu Kweik reported to MADA: “The shelling of Al-Moltazem Assurance Company completely destroyed one of our vehicles which were parked in the street below and partially damaged another two. Our office situated in the tower was not damaged and none of the agency’s staff got injured.”
4/8 - Director Saja news agencyHamada Khaled Maqat (27 years old) was killed in an Israeli aircraft shelling.
Hamada’s cousin, Mohammad Maqat, reported to MADA: “On Monday at 1:00 AM Hamada’s brother was struck by an Israeli air missile while he was heading to his uncle’s house. But then there was another airstrike and Hamada got killed together with two relatives. Hamada was married and had three children.”
4/8 - The house of freelance journalist Maryam Awadallah Hamed in Beit Lahia-Gaz strip was destroyed by the IOF.
She reported to MADA: “Four days before the shelling, most of Beit Lahia residents received phone calls from the IOF telling them to evacuate the area to save their lives. The Red Cross advised us to take this warning seriously so we (four families) left our house and went to my sister’s home in Al-Rimal neighborhood. Then my sister also got a phone call from the IOF warning her to evacuate the place, so all of us (27 persons) moved to my brother’s house in Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood. Our house was completely destroyed. I don’t know if it was shelled by tanks or airstrikes since we were not there during the shelling.”
5/8 - Armed men attacked Dr. Abdulsattar Qasem, professor of political science at Al-Najah University and writer, known for his writings against the Palestinian Authority’s policies.
He reported to MADA: “At 8:45 AM while I was about to drive my wife to work, a KIA car with an Israeli plate blocked my way. Its passengers, masked men armed with batons, got out. One of them pointed a gun at my head. My wife shouted and our neighbors came. I tried to escape by going into reverse but they shot 4 bullets in my direction. None of them hit me but we found 2 unshot bullets.”
Dr. Qasem added: “One of my neighbors told me that early that morning he had seen three cars with Israeli numbers plates exploring the area. When one neighbor asked them why they were there they replied that they were waiting for a relative living in the neighborhood.”
He said further: “I think that members of the Palestinian Authority can be behind this attack, even if I could not recognize which service. My suspicions are sustained by the fact that six days ago I was threatened by a man (whom I know) while I was in the Nablus trade complex for an interview with Al-Quds TV. Al-Shabrawi punched me on my chest and told me: “When you talk about the president you should say Mr. President,” adding “you are insignificant compared to his eminence Abu Mazen.” We had to interrupt the interview. Although this assault was mentioned in all the media, no legal actions were taken by the Palestinian Authority either against this man or to protect my life.”
6/8 - The Israeli occupation authorities renewed for the second time the arrest of Quds Press Agency correspondent in Nablus Mohammad Anwar Muna (32 years old) for another six months.
His father, Anwar Muna, reported to MADA: “The administrative detention of my son was renewed for the second time and for another six months. The decision of the renewal was taken after a court hearing attended by Mohammad, his lawyer, and the prosecution, right after the end of the previous administrative detention term.” Muna was arrested by the IOF on 7/8/2013.
8/8 - The IOF attacked journalists in Nablus who were covering a demonstration of protest against the Israeli assault on Gaza.
Reuter photographer Abdulrahim Al-Qusini (46 years old) reported to MADA: “I went with other journalists to cover the clashes between Palestinians and the IOF which erupted after Friday prayer. The IOF and Israeli border police started treating us badly, shouting at us and pushing us to prevent us from covering. Then they forced us to leave the place quickly and hit those who could not run. I was heading to my car when one of the soldiers hit me with his hand. When I shouted at him he hit me again with his knee near my kidney. I went to a medical centre in Nablus to get treatment, the pain was terrible. Luckily the X-ray showed that everything is fine.”
Al-Qusini stated: “FM24 correspondent Ala’ Badarne was hit in the leg by an Israeli settler and AFP photographer Ja’far Eshtayye was also kicked and pushed.”
10/8- The Israeli occupation authorities prevented Al-Hayya Al-Jadida newspaper photojournalist Esam Rimawi and Wafa agency correspondent Bilal Geith from traveling.
Esam Rimawi reported to MADA: “We were heading to Germany in the framework of the "Journalists Friends of Local Governance" prize supported by German governmental institutions. I had won the photography award while my colleague Bilal Ghaith had won the written media award. We were invited to a media tour in Germany aimed at discovering German media, sharing experiences with German media workers in covering events all over the world, and learning about German modern media technologies. Once at the Al-Karama crossing [between the occupied West Bank and Jordan, that Palestinians have to cross to travel abroad], we (Esam Rimawi, Bilal Ghaith, and Rasha Suliman, public relations director at the Palestinian Ministry of Local Governance) were prevented from traveling. We were not given any reasons. Afterwards we were notified that we would be allowed to travel only four days later.”
13/8 - AP video-journalist Simone Camilli (Italian, 35 years old) and AFP and Doha Center for Media Freedom translator Ali Shihde Abu Afash (37 years old) were killed by an unexploded Israeli missile.
AP photographer Adel Hanna reported to MADA: “Simone Camille, Ali Shihde and AP and Wafa news agency photographer Hatem Mousa were preparing a report about the dismantlement of unexploded Israeli missiles. They were with Palestinian police and explosives experts. One of the unexploded missiles detonated and killed Simone Camille and Ali Abu Afash while injuring seriously Hatem Mousa.”
13/8 - AP and Wafa news agency photographer Hatem Mousa was very seriously injured by an unexploded Israeli missile.
Mousa’s uncle, Adel Hana, reported to MADA: “Hatem sustained severe injuries in different parts of his body. He was preparing a feature story about unexploded missiles with Simone Camilli and Ali Abu Afash, who were killed in the explosion.”
He added: “Hatem was taken to Hadasa Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem and underwent several operations. The most dangerous ones were performed in his left leg and in his stomach to remove fragments of the missile.” However on 28/8 the doctors had to amputate his right leg underneath the knee.
15/8 - The IOF attacked and detained AP photographer Iyad Hamad (56 years old) while he was covering a demonstration of solidarity with Gaza in Hebron. Other journalists were also assaulted and prevented from covering the events.
Hamad reported to MADA: “Myself and other journalists (AP photographer Naser Shyoukhi, Anatolia agency photographer Ma’moun Wazwaz, Palmedia cameraman Amer Abdeen, and Reuter photographer Yousri Al-Jamal) were covering clashes which erupted during the demonstration between Palestinians and the IOF in the Bab Al-Zawye area of Hebron when the IOF started yelling at the journalists and throwing stun grenades in their direction to make them leave. One of the soldiers came and told us that this was a closed military zone and that we were not allowed there. I asked him to show us an official paper proving that fact but he punched me and pulled me for 40 meters to the Israeli army area. There he pushed me to the ground and cuffed my hands. They kept me there for four hours without water. Then I was transferred for investigation to Keryat Arba setlement police station. They accused me of trying to make a human wall with other persons to prevent the IOF from arresting the protestors. I defended myself, said that they were lying and that video tapes would prove my version of events. The police officer watched the video and released me. They gave me back my camera.”
Ma’moon Wazwaz told MADA: “The journalists were targeted by the IOF with stun grenades from a short distance. The IOF focused on the journalists more than the demonstration itself. The IOF chief officer ordered the soldiers to throw grenades at the journalists and this was repeated many times.”
He added that AFP photographer Hazem Bader and Palmedia cameramen Amer Abdeen and Abdulghani Al-Natsha were also present.
16/8 - Palestinian preventive security services summoned Quds Press International Agency correspondent Zaid Mustafa Abu Arra (28 years old).
Abu Arra reported to MADA: “I was in Ramallah to attend a journalists workshop held by the NGO Aman and the journalists syndicate when my brother told me that he had been given a notification asking me to go to the preventive security headquarters in Jenin on the following day. My brother refused to take the notification but they forced him to do so before they left.”
Abu Arra stated: “I refused to obey and I have not gone there” , he was arrested in the beginning of September for one day.
16/8 - The house of the cameramanandvolunteer in the Israeli human rights NGO B’Tselem Maher Abu Hayye (35 years old) was damaged by settlers and the IOF detained him and attempted to arrest him.
Abu Hayye reported to MADA: “On Saturday at 7:00 PM ten settlers raided my house in the old city of Hebron, Al-Shuhada Street, causing severe damages. Because I was filming them they handed a formal complaint to the IOF saying that I had thrown stones at them. The IOF took me to their military camp in Beit Rummane. I was handcuffed, blindfolded and insulted.”
He added: “The Israeli officer prepared my arrest file, charging me with stone-throwing at settlers. I asked the officer to watch the video which proved that the settlers were lying. B’Tselem and the civil liaison office of Hebron and Ramallah interceded, then the officers watched the video and released me at around 1:00 AM. I filed a complaint against the settlers.”
18/8 - An Israeli soldier shot a rubber bullet at Hebron Rab’a radio station anchor and correspondent Radi Ahmad Karama (25 years old) while he was covering the destruction of a house by the IOF.
He reported to MADA: “I started covering the destruction of the house of Al-Qawasme family [whose son is accused by Israel of kidnapping three settlers in June] at 12:30. I was wearing Press clothes. At around 3:00 AM, as I moved closer to the IOF (about 25 meters away from them), a soldier stood right in front of me. Two minutes later, he shot me with a rubber bullet in my right leg (underneath the knee). I went to Alya hospital in Hebron. The X-rays showed that the injury was minor so I was discharged.”
19/8 - Palestinian intelligence services called for investigation Asda’ website correspondent and photographer Qutaiba Saleh Qasem (26 years old).
Qasem reported to MADA: “I went to the Palestinian intelligence service headquarters at around 10:30 AM. All the questions were about my studies, work and contacts. They accused me of covering only events organized for Hamas but I answered that lately all the events were for Hamas anyway. They showed me a photo of the latest demonstration I was covering at Bethlehem checkpoint. I said that the photo had my signature on it but it was not inciting against the Palestinian security forces, and that I was only doing my job of covering what was happening on the field. The investigation lasted for about 4 hours and then I was released.”
19/8 - The Israeli intelligence services summoned for investigation Raya FM network correspondent Samer Nazzal (28 years old), Raya FM photographer Shadi Hatem, and Turkish agency Anatolia photographer Muath Mish’al (29 years old).
Mish’al reported to MADA: “We were called for investigation by the Israeli intelligence at the Ofer prison (near Ramallah). The investigation was carried out by the Israeli police. They accused us of participating in acts of sabotage of the electricity lines near the village of Ein Areek, west of Ramallah. In the period 17-20/7/2014, a number of Palestinian youth had cut the lines providing electricity to some Israeli settlements. The officer claimed that we were there at the time and event assisted in the sabotage. We were interrogated separately but were asked the same questions. We all gave the same answers, that we are only journalists and that we were not there at the time of the sabotage acts. I asked the officer on which grounds he based his accusation and he referred to a report made by the Israeli intelligence services.”
Mish’al added: “The investigation lasted for one hour for each one of us. Then we were forced to sign a commitment letter saying that we would attend a court hearing if asked to, and another one saying that we would pay a 1,000 NIS fine if we did not attend the hearing. They also took our fingerprints and DNA samples, although it was optional.”
22/8 - The car of Palestine Public TV anchor and board member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate Rania Al-Hamdallah was vandalized twice in Albireh/Ramallah city.
Al-Hamdallah reported to MADA: “On 22/8 I found my windshield wipers broken and placed on the hood. I did not care about it and thought that some ill-mannered boys had done it. However the next day, the side glass of the car had been broken. For me it became clear that it was intentional. I do not know who did that, I do not suspect anybody as I have problems with no one.
“My file was transferred from the general investigation service to the Palestinian intelligence. An investigation took place on 26/8. The police looked up video tapes of the area (Al-Sharafa neighborhood in Al-Bireh/Ramallah). A nearby shopkeeper said that it will be difficult to recognize the car which might have transported the person who broke my car since dozens of cars pass by the place. I asked him to let me watch the tape. Meanwhile, I cannot take any legal action because I cannot accuse anybody, but I think this is related to my work as a journalist.”
22/8 - Wafa Agency photographer Ahmad Taim Mizher (37 years old) was shot with a rubber bullet that broke his finger while he was covering clashes between Palestinian youths and the IOF in Bethlehem.
Mizher reported to MADA: “I went to cover clashes between the IOF and Palestinian youth at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, near Bin Rabah Mosque (a.k.a. Rachel’s Tomb). While I was walking with my colleague Bethlehem news agency photographer Moheisen Amareen (29 years old), a rubber bullet shot by the IOF bounced and hit my right hand causing minor injury and breaking my ring finger. My colleague Amareen was injured underneath his stomach by a rubber bullet. Both of us were wearing journalists’ vests and helmets.
“I went to Beit Jala governmental hospital to get treatment. They made X-rays and put a metal plaque on my finger. The doctor told me that I need 20 days to recover. Amareen’s injury was minor and he did not need hospital treatment.”
22/8 - The IOF threw a stun grenade at Palestine Public TV correspondent Ali Dar Ali while he was covering protests in Silwad, east of Ramallah.
Dar Ali reported to MADA: “On Friday at around 4:00 PM I was making a report in the town of Silwad, The IOF raided the place and started chasing Palestinian youths, throwing stun grenades and tear gas bombs. While I was talking live in front of the camera, a soldier threw a stun grenade near my feet. I was not injured but the broadcast was suspended for a few minutes. We could finish the report right after.”
See the video of the assault: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=762652853792541&set=vb.101382669919566&type=2&theater
23/8 - The Israeli shelling of the Dafer 4 Tower in Gaza city damaged the homes of the following journalists:
· Freelance journalist Hisham Saqallah
Saqallah (51 years old) reported to MADA: “At around 6:00 PM my wife heard that the IOF intended to bomb the whole tower where we live. At the beginning I did not believe it since usually we hear about the shelling of specific floors of a building and not the whole tower. At the beginning I refused to leave the house but then I had to. I could not take my crutches although I suffer from disability in my legs and need them to walk. All the residents evacuated their homes and 5 minutes later the Israelis shelled the building with a warning missile. A few minutes later, two F-16s shelled the tower and destroyed it completely. There were 44 flats there.”
Saqallah added: “We could not take any of our belongings. I lost all of my writings for the last fifteen years.”
· German TV ARD correspondent Zakaria Al-Talmas
Zakaria reported to MADA: “I owned an apartment in the tower but did not live there yet. On 23/8 I received a text message saying the building should be completely evacuated because it would be shelled. There was no furniture in the house yet.”
· Al-Jazeera TV producer Khaled Libbad
Libbad, who is married with 2 children, reported to MADA: “The complete shelling of Dafer-4 Tower affected the nearby buildings, including the Arrawda Tower where I live. None of my family members was at home when the shelling happened but my house suffered material damage with most of the windows and doors destroyed.”
24/8 - The building where Palestine Public TV correspondent Fadel Mustafa Abdulhadi (51 years old) lives in Al-Nasr neighborhood, Gaza, was shelled and his home was destroyed.
Abdulhadi reported to MADA: “At around 2:00 PM our building was targeted by a warning missile. We had hardly time to evacuate since less than 5 minutes later it was shelled by two F-16 missiles. The building was completely destroyed. About 50 persons used to live there.”
He added that his sister-in-law was injured in the shelling of their neighbors’ house two hours before.
25/8 - Al-Zakat press officer and former Al-Aqsa TV cameraman Abdullah Fadel Murtaja (26 years old) was killed during the IOF shelling of Al-Shujai’a neighborhood in Gaza.
His brother Anas reported to MADA: “Abdullah left the house with his colleagues to distribute aid to injured children in hospitals and houses but the Israeli airstrikes shelled the area and he was killed in the attack.”
Before working for Al-Zakat charity, Murtaja was a cameraman for Al-Aqsa TV and Nibras Media Company. He was married and had 4 children.
26/8 - Al-Aqsa TV cameraman Ahmad Mohammad Naser (28 years old) was injured while covering the shelling of the Italian Tower by the IOF in Gaza city.
Naser reported to MADA: “On Tuesday at 12:20 AM I headed to the Italian Tower to cover the Israeli army shooting of a warning missile. I prepared my camera in a safe place where there were other journalists, ambulances and civil defense staff. At that moment the tower was targeted by two F-16 missiles; no one of us was injured. Then we got closer to the tower and it was targeted another time by several missiles (I heard around 4, but some people said they were 2). I was projected about 10 meters away by the blast of the second shelling. I had bruises in my neck and pelvis and injuries in my fingers. I went to Al-Shifa hospital and got stitches for my fingers injuries. I was discharged an hour later.”
26/8 - Freelance photojournalist Ali Hassan Jadallah (24 years old) was also injured while covering the shelling of the Italian tower in Gaza city.
He reported to MADA: “At 1:00 AM we went to cover the shelling of the Italian Tower. The first five missiles partially damaged the building and the sixth one was severe and destroyed the whole tower. I was projected about 5 meters away by the sixth blast. I got bruises in different parts of my body and fragments in my left arm and right shoulder. I got treatment at the ambulance.”
26/8 - The Israeli forces shelled Al-Basha Tower in Gaza City, destroying the offices of many media organizations located in the building. Those were:
· Sawt Al-Sha’b radio station
Sawt Al-Sha'b director Hussein Al-Jamal reported to MADA: “At 3:30 AM one of the radio employees and the building guard received phone calls from the IOF telling that the tower should be completely evacuated. At around 4:00 AM they shot at the tower with 4 warning missiles, followed by 5 F-16 shells. The tower consists of 13 floors and includes many offices, including Saud Center for Press and Media and Sawt Nisa’ radio station.”
Al-Jamal added: “21 persons work for the radio including correspondents, sound technicians and volunteers. The material loss is worth 100,000 USD, including the studio, broadcast devices, furniture, computers and the generator.”
· Saud Center for Press and Media
Saud Center for Press and Media provides media services for a number of media outlets including international ones. Its director Saud Abu Ramadan (50 years old), 9he works also as correspondent for the German and Chinese news agencies), reported to MADA: “The office was completely destroyed in the shelling of Al-Basha Tower this morning. The material loss is worth 30,000 USD including furniture, computers, cameras and audio-visual recording devices.”
Abu Ramadan indicated that he had two employees working for him.
· Sawt Nisa’ web radio station
The director Islam Suheil Al-Barbar (28 years old) told MADA that the radio headquarters were completely destroyed in the shelling of Al-Basha Tower.
She added: “Sawt Nisa’ Gaza is associated with a press office located at the first floor of the tower. This press office offers training courses and organizes workshops for journalists in Gaza. Sawt Nisa’ Gaza focuses on women's issues and social, cultural and economic matters. It is not involved in politics.”
Al-Barbar said that 15 persons work for the radio, 10 of them volunteers. The material loss is worth 30,000 USD including computers, microphones and office furniture.
· Top Voice Advertising Company
The company vice-president Mohammad Yousif reported to MADA: “Top Voice was established 2 months ago. It does not belong to any organization and is not politicized. We produce special audio and video advertisements as well as journalistic reports. We employed 5 workers and 6 volunteers. The material loss is worth 23,000 USD including damage to the studio and montage room plus office furniture.”
· Sajaya Company for Media Production
Sajaya director Sajed Hussein reported to MADA: “Sajaya was established 13 months ago. We are specialized in media production, focusing on production of documentaries for NGOs and international organizations, production of TV programs, and graphic design. Six months ago we moved the company’s headquarters to Al-Basha Tower, 5th floor.
“7 employees and 3 volunteers worked for the company. The material loss is worth 21,000 USD including the studio, cameras and montage devices.”
· Ahalina Company for Media and TV Production
Ahalina director Mohammad Hasan Abdul-Al reported to MADA: “The company was located at the 11th floor of the tower. Our offices were completely destroyed.”
He added: “The company is specialized on TV production and advertising. We produce advertisement for local radios and billboards. We employ between 4 and 7 persons according to the workload. The material loss is around 27,000-30,000 USD, including radio broadcasting devices, mixers, montage computers, microphones and two studios.”
· Lama Company for Cinema Production
Lama director Khalil Mahmoud Al-Mozayen reported to MADA: “The company’s headquarters were completely destroyed in the shelling of Al-Basha Tower. Lama has been located in the tower, at the 12th floor, for 5 years. Therefore this is the second time it is subjected to shelling.
“Lama is specialized in documentaries, films and advertisement. We employed 5 permanent employees and 7 freelancers. The material loss is worth 117,000 USD, including cameras, computers, 12 hard disks, montage devices, sound devices, light control devices, office furniture, and the whole company archive.”
· Star Com for Media Production
Star Com director Hatem Al-Ramlawi reported to MADA: “The company headquarters, located at the 11th floor of Al-Basha Tower since 2011, were completely destroyed. Our offices had already been shelled in 2012.”
Al-Ramlawi added: “The Company provides radio broadcasting devices, office supplies for media outlets, as well as journalistic reports, programs and documentaries for some TVs. 15 persons work for the company, and the material loss is worth 120,000 USD.”
28/8 - The IOF arrested media activist Suhaib Zahedeh for comments he made on Facebook.
His uncle, Idris Zahedeh, reported to MADA: “The IOF arrested Suhaib (31 years old) on Thursday 28/8/2014 at 11:00 AM at the Container checkpoint, (an Israeli checkpoint that links the southern and northern parts of the West Bank). He was going to Ramallah from Hebron for a job interview.
Issa Amr, president of "Youth against settlement", told MADA that Suhaib is a member of this group and a social media activist. He was promoting Facebook pages calling for solidarity with Gaza during the latest Israeli military attack. Besides, Suhaib is active in writing press reports for youth groups in addition to working as a journalist at the Palestinian cycling club in Hebron.
The arrest of Suhaib lasted until Thursday 5/9/2014. His Israeli lawyer Neri Ramati told MADA that the Ofer Israeli military court decided on Wednesday to release him on the condition of paying a 4,000 NIS bail deposit (around 1,100 USD). Ramati added that initially the Israeli military court had condemned Suhaib to pay a 10,000 NIS bail in addition to a ban on accessing Facebook, but he opposed that and eventually the bail was reduced to 4,000 NIS and the Facebook ban was lifted.
29/8 - Trans Media for Media Production chairman and owner Amer Ja’bari and another employee were threatened on 29/8/2014 by the Israeli intelligence service collaborator Abed Hamid Rjoub after a film they produced on Israeli spies was broadcasted on Al-Jazeera TV.
Al-Ja’bari reported to MADA: “On Thursday 29/8/2014 the film 'The Black Box’ dealing with the subject of Israeli occupation spies was broadcasted on Al-Jazeera TV at 10:00 PM. Subsequently, myself and another Trans Media employee (a manager who did not want to reveal her name) received separate threatening phone calls.”
Al-Ja’bari stated: “My colleague received a phone call threatening her that her children would be kidnapped or that one of them would live without the other. She was scared, especially because she is a Palestinian living in Israel. At about 11:00 PM, I received a call from the spy Abdul Hamid Rjoub. He spoke to me toughly, accusing us of depicting him in a very negative way in the film. He asked me to stop the broadcasting of the documentary within 48 hours otherwise we at Trans Media would regret it. Rjoub added that he would chase us one after the other.”
