Ramallah (15/10/2016) violations against media freedoms recorded in September the highest rate since the beginning of the current year, besides to the continued expansion of prosecution operations associated with a campaign that was initiated by the occupation authorities against what is published by Palestinian activists and journalists on social networking sites, coincided with a pressure from the Israeli occupation government against Facebook company, that led to an agreement, following a meeting between an Israeli delegation represented by Minister of Justice Eylet Shaked, and some directors from Facebook, mid of September.

 

The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms “MADA” monitored in September 2016 a total number of 36 violations against media freedoms in West Bank and Gaza Strip; which shows a decrease of 5 points compared to the highest recorded since the beginning of the current year (the highest rates of violations were recorded in August and topped to 41) as Palestinian security service apparatuses in West Bank and Gaza Strip committed around 21 violations, while Israeli Occupation authorities committed 15 violations.  

 

 

Israeli Occupation authorities committed around 15 violations against journalists, and media outlets, Israeli occupation forces committed the bulk in targeting the cameraman of (Xinhua) Nidal Shafeeq Ishtaieh, with a gas bomb on the head causing him internal bleeding between the skull and the scalp, and targeting the cameraman of Palestine Chanel Fadi Fayez Jaberwith a rubber bullet in the thigh, he was shot directly by IOF while covering a demonstration near Al Jalazoun refugee camp, and physically abusing several journalists including a photographer of Reuters/ Yousri Al Jamal, cameraman of pal-media/ Amer Abedi, photographer AFP/ Hazem Bader, photographer EPA Abdulhafith Alhashlamoun in Hebron, moreover, detaining correspondent of Pelest news agency/ Osama Shahin administratively for four months, and arresting the reporter of “Al-Watan voice news” electronic website, and Ramallah Mix Website Musa’b Qasin Zayoud.

 

This coincided with an expansion of prosecution operations committed by Israeli Occupation Authorities to suppress what is published on social media sites by Palestinians, through certain pressures and partnership agreements with Facebook.

As a result Facebook company has blocked several Palestinian personal pages on Facebook, and other informative pages (at least 20 pages), upon an Israeli demand that aims to ban publishing any news, information, photos exposing occupation practices on social media sites, particularly Facebook under the pretext of exercising incitement.

 

Among those blocked pages or contents included the following (Palestinian Dialogue Network (PALDF.net) Gaza now, Jerusalem News Network, Shihab agency, Radio Bethlehem 2000, Orient Radio network, page Mesh Heck, Ramallah news, journalist/ Huthaifa Jamous from Abu Dis activist Qassam Bedier, activist Mohammed Ghannam, journalist /Kamel Jbeil, administrative accounts for Al Quds Page, administrative accounts Shihab agency, activist Abdel-Qader al-Titi, youth activist Hussein shajaeih, Ramah Mubarak (account is activated), Ahmed Abdel Aal (account is activated ), Mohammad Za'anin ( still deleted), Amer Abu Arafa (still deleted), Abdulrahman al-Kahlout (still deleted).

 

 

Palestinian violations against media freedoms in West Bank and Gaza Strip during September recorded 23 violations which exceeds 8 points compared to what was recorded in August (topped to 15 violations in August).

 

Majority of monitored violations were concentrated in West Bank; 14 violations while 7 violations were monitored in Gaza Strip. 

Among the most prominent violations was attacking 4 journalists; beatings while covering a demonstration in Jenin City besides to detaining and interrogating another, rather than preventing all media outlets from covering the event.

Internal security service in Gaza arrested the correspondent of The Monitor Mohammad Ahmad Othman from his house, and subjecting him to interrogation that included torture, after publishing official documents issued by Ismail Hanieh office that reveals the existence of a shadow government in Gaza Strip, besides the detention of the presenter of Al Nahar TV Channel Nuha Abu Amro and being interrogated  by general intelligence in Rafah, following her writings on corruptions of administration of Rafah Crossing. 

 

 

(01/09)- IOF arrested correspondent of Pelest news agency/ Osama Shahin (34 years) after raiding his house and searching its contents as reported by his wife Shaima’ to MADA “ a troop of IOF stormed our hour house that is located in Dura, Hebron governorate around 1:00am 01/09/2016, as a large number of IOF stormed the house and started brutally and started messing up its contents, meanwhile Osama was subjected to field investigation (outside the house) for 45 minutes before arresting him”.

 

She also added, "Now Osama is detained in Ofer detention center, a hearing session was held on Monday, 4/9 on charges of incitement over Facebook, but the trial was postponed to Wednesday, 06/09 where he was sentenced for four months of administrative detention, whilst the court refused to accept the appeal on 23/09 following his administrative detention sentence”.

 

(01/09)- Internal Security Service arrested the correspondent of The Monitor, and freelance journalist of Arab Netwrok Mohammad Ahmad Othman (29years) after raiding his house and confiscating several belongings and subjected him to torture during investigation after publishing official documents that revealed the existence of a shadow government in Gaza Strip, as he reported to MADA “a large group of Internal security stormed my house around 4:30pm of Thursday 01/09/2016, without introductions they informed me that they have an arrest warrant  by the military prosecution, they confiscated my personal laptop, my wife’s laptop  as well, besides to my personal mobile (IPhone) and my wife’s Samsung, and another Nokia phone I own, and a bag that contains  documents that belong to my work, and I was taken to the headquarters of the internal security service in Gaza, and from the moment I sat down with the officer for investigation  was asked to confess a number of things (that I don’t believe they pose any legal problem  for the state security services concerning the document I published  belonging to Ismail Haniyeh's office. "

he also added” while interrogating me they accessed my accounts on social media sites and acknowledged my resources, I received a very bad treatment, I was also exposed to “shabeh” for a short period, but in a very cruel way, handcuffed from behind”.

He said” I was released on the next day (02/09) at around 4:30 pm after signing a pledge stating that I published the first document that has nothing to do with Ismail Hanieh but due to an administrative issues related to the Ministry of Awkaf and religious affairs of Palestine, and the second document that is related to correspondences between governmental bodies (security services) and Non-Governmental bodies, the former prime minister office, they requested me to sign my testimony relating to official documents released, and how I declared the existence of a shadow government in Gaza Strip, they also requested me to follow up with the internal security on 04/09 at 11:00am to return all confiscated belongings, they threatened and warned me to not disclose any information of the interrogation process otherwise they will ruin my career path in journalism”. 

In a later affidavit by Othman” I headed on 04/09 to the headquarters of the internal security service to return all confiscated belongings, I waited at the front gate for 15 minutes, then I was deported inside (ensuring that I am wearing black glasses so I won’t see anything around) and there I waited for 45 minutes, afterwards two officers including one who previously interrogated me on Friday, they interrogated me with a sense of threat and warn regarding my publication (despite the fact of agreeing not to disclose any of the interrogation process, yet I posted on my wife’s facebook some of what I was subjected to during the interrogation, later they demanded me to present myself again on 05/09, they informed me that I will not return any of my belongings under the pretext of exercising libel against them, I presented myself at the headquarters as scheduled on Monday (05/09), the officer who escorted me informed me that they were busy and unavailable and released a decision of returning my belongings, and tried in his conversation to disclose and reveal information regarding my friend, who usually provide me of corruption at the deputy of the ministry of Awkaf and religious affairs, I responded that such information is pretty known for the public and easy to attain, the officer threatened me that he is the one who will force me to confess, he detained me in a long corridor for a long period afterwards they returned my confiscated belongings, we noticed that they installed a spy software on my computers and mobile phones”.

 

(01/09)- Preventive security service detained a financial transfer related to the correspondent of  Al Quds press network in Hebron the journalist Yousef Mohammad Faqeeh (31 years) which is his monthly salary from the network, he was summoned and interrogated as he reported to MADA” I went as usual to receive my delayed salary (due to financial crises at the network) from an exchange office as usual due to the fact of absence of a transfer system in banks, hence the worker there informed me that I can’t receive the transfer due to the preventive security service and Palestinian intelligence, as he informed me that preventive security service contacted the currency exchange office and requested him to inform me to follow up with them, hence, I headed to their headquarters at around 12:00 pm of 01/09 and I remained there till 15:00pm, and there we had a regular discussion regarding my work, resources of information, and whether I was inciting against the higher authorities, and I asked them of the reasons of withholding the transfer, he said that it is due to certain issues they want to make sure of first, after the interview they kept my press ID to come back on Sunday 04/09”.

He added in a separate affidavit” as scheduled I headed on Sunday 04/09 they withdrew the transfer in my presence from the exchange office, I don’t know when exactly I will receive the money, but they gave me the press card without informing me of a date to follow up”

 

In another affidavit to MADA” I managed to receive my transfer after including several mediations, as the whole process was illegal”.

 

(02/09)- Photographer of (Xinhua) Nidal Shafiq Ishtaieh (46years) injured with a tear gas bomb ( a new and hazardous one) in his head shot by IOF while covering a demonstration near Kuffor Qaddoum that resulted in internal bleeding, as he reported to MADA” after ten minutes of the commencement of the weekly demonstration in Kuffor Qaddoum, while covering the incident IOF oppressed and prevented us from filming, after they brought the skunk  truck we moved back and stood like 100 meters away from the protestors, afterwards they started shooting tear gas bombs, I was hit in the back of my head I passed out although I was wearing a helmet and I did not wake until I received the treatment at Rafidia Hospital (Nablus), showing a bleeding between the skull and scalp”.

He also added” I was informed by the Red Cross that this type of Gas Is similar to (rocket-bomb) that is banned for usage during such demonstrations, and can only be used in armed conflicts / wars as it can range up to 1000meters as it can be fatal if shot in less than 500meters, and I was the first to be shot by it”. 

 

(02/09)- cameraman of Palestine TV channel Mithqal Fayez Jabr Jayousi (34years) was shot with a rubber bullet by an Israeli soldier directly toward him while covering a demonstration near at Al-Jalazoun refugee camp, as Jabr reported to MADA “I headed with my colleague correspondent of Palestine TV channel Ali Dar Ali, to cover a demonstration at Al- Jalazoun refugee camp, we were prevented by IOF to cover, by forcing us to remain in a spot yet we continued covering the events, at the last minutes and while IOF were withdrawing, one of the soldiers open the jeep’s door and shot me with a rubber bullet that hit me in the right thigh, resulting minor injuries”.

(06/09)- Intelligence at Rafah Crossing detained Nuha Abu Amro a program presenter at Al-Nahar TV Channel, and she was interrogated by the Rafah intelligence regarding a report conducted on bribery practices and corruption to enable people to travel through the crossing she reported to MADA “while I was at Rafah crossing trying to travel as humanitarian situation on Tuesday 06/09, as I used to spent the overnight there maybe I can get the chance to travel, I was summoned by Rafah intelligence and interrogated me regarding my writings for an hour on how I entered the crossing without a previous coordination. 

Meanwhile I received a very bad treatment I was banned from suing the toilets, despite my health condition, I was detained in the crossing garden for another hour after the interrogation (at around 02:00am) of 07/09 I was evicted from the crossing with my mother without providing us transportation”.

She added “I was subjected to another interrogation on 07/09 from 09:00am till 16:00 pm(I was exposed to 7 sessions of interrogation at the intelligence headquarters in Rafah and the crossing)during the interrogation they mocked my writings and publications, and warned me to ban me from travel, they also accused me of lying, and insulted me, although I monitored the bad conditions of Palestinians at the crossing who paid briberies to allow them of travel, however they confiscated my mobile which I did not return till now 08/09, I was released at 16:00pm after signing a pledge not to  return to the crossing without a previous coordination, and not to attack them in my future writings”. 

 

 (16/09)-IOF attacked four journalists while covering events in Hebron, and prevented them from covering as Reuter’s photographer Yusri Jamal (41 years) reported to MADA “I headed with my colleagues to cover the incident of martyrdom a youth in Tal Rmedah, that happened after IOF surrounded the area “Tal Rmedah”, once IOF noticed that we are there they banned us from covering, we ran to the house of ( Imad Abu Shamsieh) who welcomed us, afterwards IOF stormed his house and attacked us all with beatings, whence we ran to the rooftop they started targeting and shooting stun grenades toward us, after we went down stairs they continued attacking us and one f the soldiers hit me on the chest with M16 I remained suffering from the injury for two weeks” he also added” after around an hour IOF withdrew after forcing us to take a mountain road instead of the ordinary one”.

He clarified that the attack included the following journalists: Amer Abedi photographer at Palmedia, Hazem Bader photographer of AFP , Abdelhafith Hashlamoun photographer of EPA.

 

(16/09)- Palestinian security personnel attacked journalists while covering a demonstration in Jenin and prevented them from coverage and deleted all captured photos of the event, moreover they detained and interrogated one of the journalists as the correspondent of media port Mujahed Mohammad Al Sa’dy (28years) reported to MADA”a demonstration that took place in Jenin on 16/09  organized by Islamic Jehad Movement, Palestinian security personnel attacked all demonstrators including men/ women children, besides to journalists, preventing us from covering”.

He also added” photojournalist Alaa’ Badarneh, Jafar Shtayeh and trans-media photographer Nader Saliba were exposed to beatings, moreover, they inspected Shadi Yaser camera, photographer of trans-media and forced him to delete all captured photos”.

He added” they demanded all journalists to turn off their cameras and evacuate the place, due to the fact that such equipment usually takes time to turn off, hence I couldn’t leave the area fast, hence a policeman hit the electricity generator and cut the live broadcast cables and pushed me and tore my clothes, after an altercation between us he arrested me and took me to Jenin police station and held me there for an hour, during which I was interrogated about the reason for my presence in the demonstration and what I was capturing, I was released after they made sure I did not capture any photos that indicate the suppression of the demonstration”.

 

Similarly, the correspondent of Media Port (Palestine today) Amon Saleh Alsheikh (27 years) reported to MADA that "after the security services suppressed the demonstration and stopped us all  including (Mujahid al-Saadi, Shadi Jara’rah, photographer Ayman Idris, broadcast officer Nader Saliba) on the side of the pedestrian road , once security forces started firing live bullets and tear gas, suddenly a police car headed fast toward us and stood next to the live broadcast camera then approached the crew in an attempt of hitting us with the car, then they started to shouting and  preventing us from covering the demonstration, and threatened us to break down the cameras, after an altercation they arrested Mujahid al-Saadi and left".

 

(20/09)- IOF arrested the correspondent of Dunia Al Wattan and Ramalla Mix Mussab Qassem Al-Zyoud (27 years) after storming the family house at dawn, searching and confiscating equipment as reported by his brother Ibrahim Al-Zyoud to MADA” a troop of IOF stormed Mussab’s house that is located in the village of Al-Sela al Harthia in Jenin governorate at around 04:00 am on 20/09 during an invasion of the village, they asked for Musssab, and forced the family to remain in one room, they entered Mussab’s bedroom and searched it carefully, they confiscated several flashes not sure of the exact number, besides two of his mobiles, and the PC ram and its battery, furthermore the exposed Mussab to a field interrogation for half an hour before arresting him and taking him to an unknown destination”.

 

(22/09)- Facebook Company blocked several Palestinian personal pages, and other informative pages related to Palestinian’s news agencies and sites, following an Israeli demand, to stop the release of information photos or news related to Israeli Occupation practices through Facebook under the pretext of exercising incitement”.

The spokesman of the campaign to stop publishing on Facebook Iyad Abdel-Rahman al-Rifai (24 years), the managing editor of Al Quds Alikhbarieh reported to MADA”Facebook started to monitor Palestinian personal accounts and pages after the announcement of the Minister of Justice Elite Shaked a meeting of a ministerial delegation from the Israeli government and another from Facebook on 15/09, where we started later (specifically since 22/9) to notice the suppression and narrowing from Facebook company against Palestinians, as they removed posts by Palestinian activists that the term incitement doesn’t apply on, similarly the fact of removing a post for an elderly women’s ID with an English comment saying that the age of the lady is older than the occupation, published by the activist Qassam Badeer, hence they suspended his account for 24 hours, and informed him that in case of continuing publishing similar posts they will block his account permanently”.

He also added” Pages and personal accounts that were filtered and blocked: Palestinian Dialogue Network (PALDF.net) Gaza now, Jerusalem News Network, Shihab agency, Radio Bethlehem 2000, Orient Radio netwrok, page Mesh Heck, Ramallah news, journalist/ Huzaifa Jamous from Abu Dis activist Qassam Bedier, activist Mohammed Ghannam, journalist /Kamel Jbeil, administrative accounts for Al Quds Page, administrative accounts Shihab agency, activist Abdel-Qader al-Titi, youth activist Hussein shajaeih, Ramah Mubarak (account is activated), Ahmed Abdel Aal (account is activated ), Mohammad Za'anin ( still deleted), Amer Abu Arafa (still deleted), Abdulrahman al-Kahlout (still deleted)”.

Abdelqader Jaber el Titi (30years) and activist on Facebook reported to MADA” on 22/09 I noticed that several posts were removed from my Facebook account including a post of a martyr and several posts of weapons, they also send me a message from Facebook company notifying me that all deleted posts are inconsistent with Facebook standards and considered as inciting, I was banned from publishing for 24 hours and threatened me in case I kept on publishing similar posts they will block my account permanently”.

 

The director of the news department at the Shihab agency news, Hussam Ahmad Alzaigh (30 years) in his affidavit to MADA "Facebook management closed on Friday (23/9) personal pages of all Shehab agency employees; five, including me (my account was suspended after three hours) they banned our pages without any previous warning and without any alerts”.

He added "after following up with Facebook management, we returned the banned pages after less than 24 hours, following the suspension we received an apology issued by Facebook administration informing Shihab agency and Al-Quds network after suspending their admins for a temporary period due the large number of reports against these sites. Currently Shihab agency page is working".

Qassam Reyad Baddir (28 years) a Facebook activist reported to MADA” Facebook suspended my personal account after warning me that I infringed facebook policies and rules, hence usage of Facebook will be suspended for 24 hours, meanwhile I will be banned from publishing or commenting over Facebook, in case infringement of the rules is repeated they will block my account permanently”.

He also added” this suspension took place after publishing a photo on Facebook an ID that belongs to an  elderly woman with an English comment that she is older than Israel, this post got 3000 likes and 1800share, as previously I posted a photo for old Palestinian people holding titles to real property of their lands”.