FPJ CONDEMNS ISRAELI TARGETING OF MEDIA INSTITUTIONS

Gaza, 4 Jumadil Awwal 1436/23 February 2015 (MINA) – The Forum of Palestinian Journalists (FPJ) strongly condemned Sunday the Israeli deliberate targeting of and massive campaign against Palestinian media institutions.

The Forum’s statement came in the wake of the Israeli decision to ban al-Aqsa TV channel in the West Bank, and the Israeli pressures to remove Shehab News Agency Facebook page, The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The Israeli military order to ban al-Aqsa TV channel came following a number of arrests targeting the employees working in the channel including the journalist Alaa al-Titi who was arrested on January 22, the statement pointed out.

The Forum said that such a decision fell as part of Israel’s suppression policy and attempts to cover up its crimes against the Palestinian people.

The statement slammed the PA and international media institutions’ silence over the Israeli decision, warning of more Israeli repressive practices against journalists and media institutions.

The statement also pointed out that the online social networking website Facebook has removed on February 17 Shehab News Agency page, after a massive Israeli incitement campaign demanding that the page be shut down immediately although it had gathered more than 3 million participants.

The Forum expressed surprise over Facebook’s double standards policy against Palestinian-run pages, calling on its administration to reconsider and cancel its decision.

The Forum also called on international media institutions to pressure Israel to stop its violations against Palestinian journalists.(T/P008/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)