Israel Increases Attacks on Journalists

26 Dzulhijjah 1437/28 September 2016 (MINA) – Israeli occupation forces have escalated attacks against Palestinian journalists and photographers since the outbreak of the Third Intifada in October last year, the Committee to Support Palestinian Journalists revealed.

In a new report published yesterday, the committee noted that October 2015 saw the largest number of violations against Palestinian journalists covering the situation in the West Bank’s various towns and cities, MEMO quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Some 489 Israeli violations have taken place against Palestinian journalists since October 2015. During the same period, 79 Palestinian journalists have been detained by Israel, with 32 having their detention orders extended.

Between October 2015 and August 2016, 130 journalists have been injured as a result of rubber bullets, live munitions, stun grenades, beatings with batons, suffocation and poisoning while on duty.

Four Palestinian radio station have also been shut down since the start of the current intifada, while the Israeli army has expressed its intention to shut down a further five Palestinian media institutions.

The committee called for greater support for Palestinian journalists in particular for the 26 who are still held in Israeli jails.

Highlighting Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Pact on Human Rights which call for freedom of expression without any restrictions and harassment, the committee urged international organisations to provide protection for journalists. (T/P004/R07) 

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)