Media Freedoms Violations in Palestine

The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms MADA

Annual Report 2014

Completed under the supervision of Mousa Rimawi Prepared and edited by Ghazi Bani Odeh Monitoring and documenting: Shireen Al-Khatib and Karem Nashwan Translation: Mannar Alamlah Media Freedoms Violations in Palestine

Annual Report 2014

The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms “MADA” thanks the Open Society Foundations for their support in publishing the report Contents:

Introduction...... 4 Summary of media freedom violations ...... 5 Israeli Violations ...... 7 Recommendations...... 19 Palestinian Violations ...... 20 Palestinian Violations in West Bank...... 23 Palestinian Violations in Gaza Strip...... 25 Recommendations ...... 27 Details of Violations...... 28 Introduction

2014 was the worst, the bloodiest and the hardest year for journalists and media freedoms in Palestine. It was the worst in terms of the type and dangerousness of the violence and of the quantity of crimes and violations committed against media freedoms. The killing by Israel of 17 journalists in Gaza was on the top of the violations against media freedoms monitored by the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), an escalation of 108% compared to the previous year. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists mentioned that 60 journalists were killed worldwide while performing their work in 2014. Reporters without Borders mentioned 66 killed journalists worldwide in 2014. The beheading of two journalists by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) were the most barbaric crimes committed against journalists in 2014. 199 journalists were kidnapped, according to Reporters without Borders1. According to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than half of the journalists killed in 2014 were killed in the Middle East. The Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters without Borders reported that 7 journalists were killed in Gaza during the Israeli attack in 2014, but MADA monitored 17 killings of journalists and media workers by the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza this year (cf. MADA July and August media violations reports). On the other Hnd, a report released by Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) shows that 138 were killed in 32 different countries Besides, 2014 witnessed a new type of violations and harassment related to freedom of expression, with the Israeli authorities arresting 17 Palestinians for their writings on Facebook and using journalists as human shields. On the other hand, the West Bank recorded the first case of banning of a Palestinian blogger from travelling because of his writings and publications on the Internet by the Palestinian authorities.

1 http://en.rsf.org/files/bilan-2014-EN.pdf

4 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary

The violations monitored by MADA escalated in the West Bank including east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in 2014, compared to the violations against journalists and media freedoms in Palestine monitored during the previous years. The total number of crimes and violations in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem reached 465 in 2014. The IOF committed the most serious and dangerous violations: 351 cases, i.e. 75% of the total of violations. The Palestinian side committed 114 violations, i.e. 25% of the total.

Total number of violations against media freedoms in 2014

Palestinian sides Israeli occupation Total

West Bank Gaza Strip West Bank Gaza Strip 90 24 239 112 Total 114 351 465

The main escalation in 2014 is due to Israeli violations, especially those crimes committed by the IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) during their severe attack on the Gaza Strip in July and August 2014.

Total number of violations against media freedoms in 2014

Palestinian sides

Israeli occupation

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 5 The number of the Israeli violations was double of the violations committed in 2013, with the Israeli violations rising from 151 violations in 2013 to 351 assaults in 2014, which means an escalation of 132%

The violations against journalists in 2014 and the previous years

Year Palestinian violations Israeli violations Total

2008 110 147 257 2009 76 97 173 2010 79 139 218 2011 106 100 206 2012 74 164 238 2013 78 151 229 2014 114 351 465 Total 637 1149 1686

The total of Israeli violations in 2014 equals 44% of all the violations committed in the previous 6 years (from 2008 to 2013). This shows that the Israeli violations against journalists form the largest number and most dangerous violations in Palestine. The Palestinian violations in 2014 witnessed an escalation compared to 2013. 2014 recorded 114 Palestinian violations while there were 78 in 2013, which means an escalation of 46%. It is clear that the violations in the West Bank were higher than in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian violations in 2014 were the highest since 2008.

“On Thursday 7/7 an F-16 shelled our neighbor’s (Mahmoud Al-Hajj) house; there were 8 persons inside. Pieces of the house were projected into my house and as a result my house’s walls and ceilings collapsed. My wife, who is in her thirties and my 8 years daughter, stayed under the rubbles before they both could be rescued; my wife stayed for 20 minutes and my daughter for 30 minutes”

(Palestinian Public TV’s cameraman Mahmoud Al-Athamne)

6 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Israeli violations

The Israeli violations were of 15 types. Most of them are considered as severe and dangerous according to the average violations committed against journalists in Palestine. These violations took the following forms: killing, injuring, shelling and destroying media outlets, shelling and destroying houses of journalists, interrupting the broadcast of media outlets, detaining journalists, preventing from covering, threatening, raiding and inspecting houses, arresting, travel bans, summoning and interrogation, destroying cars and journalistic equipment, using journalists as human shields, seizing media equipment, and closing media outlets.

Israeli media violations in Palestine in 2014 (type and place of violation)

Type of violation Gaza Strip West Bank Total

killing 17 0 17 Assaulting & injuring 27 131 158 Shelling media outlets 20 0 20 Shelling journalists’ houses 37 0 37 Interrupting the broadcast 8 0 8 Detaining and preventing from coverage 0 57 57 Threatening and preventing from coverage 0 6 6 Raiding and inspecting houses 0 8 8 Arrests 0 13 13 Summoning and interrogating 0 5 5 Travel bans 0 5 5 Destroying cars and media equipment 3 7 10 Using journalists as human shields 0 2 2 Seizing equipment 0 3 3 Closing media outlets 0 2 2 Total 112 239 351

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 7 6 of these types of violations are considered very serious: killing, assaulting and injuring, shelling media outlets, shelling journalists’ houses, arresting and using journalists as human shields. These 6 types of dangerous violations form the most numerous types of violations committed by the IOF, i.e. 247 out of 351, which is 70% of the total Israeli violations in 2014.

The most serious Israeli violations against journalists

Type of Using journalists as Shelling journalists’ Shelling Assaults and Arrests Killing Total violation human shields houses media outlets injuries Number 2 13 37 20 158 17 247

The total of physical violations (killing, assaulting and injuring) that directly threatened journalists’ lives reached 175, i.e. 50% of the total of Israeli violations.

“On Friday 18/7, at around 6:53 AM, our office which is located in Gaza city (Rimal neighborhood, Al-Jawhara tower, 8th floor) was shelled by Israeli Apache warplane which threw three rockets without a previous warning; we were 35 people - cameramen, journalists and a sound technician – in the office. When the first rocket landed we left the office and ran to the building’s stairs. And after the second and third missiles hit the office, the sound technician Muhammad Shabat (42 years old) was injured in the left hand.”

(The director of Alwataniya National Agency Mustafa Shihadeh)

8 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary The most serious Israeli violations against journalists

Using journalists as human shields

Arrests Killing Shelling journalists’ houses

Shelling media outlets

Assaults and injuries

Even though the most serious and numerous violations were committed in the Gaza Strip during the latest Israeli attack, that lasted for 51 days in July and August, the journalists in the West Bank and Jerusalem have also been victims of the IOF’ assaults. There were dozens of journalists injured by Israeli bullets, stun and tear gas grenades, some were arrested and others used as human shields. No shelling or destroying of media outlets or houses of journalists was documented.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 9 Killings of journalists

No doubt that killing journalists is the most severe violation against media freedoms. 2014 was the bloodiest year in the history of the Palestinian media, with the IOF killing 17 journalists and media workers in the latest Israeli attack on Gaza.

“Our three-floor house was shelled by two F16 rockets without previous warning at 05:00 AM. My nephew, the journalist Abed Rahman Abu Haien, who is married and has a daughter, was killed. My father Hassan Hussein Abu Haien, 81 years old, and my other nephew the engineer Osama Saqer Abu Haien, 30, were also killed.”

“Safa Agency journalist Yasser Abu Haien”

All of these journalists were killed by the Israeli occupation forces during the latest Israeli attack on Gaza while they were at places which are supposed to be safe for civilians (journalists are civilians). Some of them were killed inside their houses or while covering the results of the Israeli aggression in some neighborhoods, and others were killed while doing their job as journalists, such as Media Agency driver Hamed Shihab who was targeted while driving the agency’s car that has a PRESS sign on it. The journalist Hamada Maqat was killed while he was walking in the street by an Israeli missile, Rami Rayyan was killed while implementing his job .

10 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Journalists killed during the 2014 Israeli attack on Gaza

Name Age Date of killing Profession

Hamed Abdullah Shihab 30 9/7 Agency driver Media 24

Najla’ Mahmoud Al-Haj 29 10/7 Media activist

Khaled Riyad Hamad 26 20/7 Continue agency cameraman

Abdulrahman Ziad Abu Hayyin 28 23/7 Al-Kitab TV programs director Palestine Public TV Hebrew News Baha’ Kamel Al-Ghareeb 59 29/7 Department employee Al-Hurria for Media Network cor- Ezat Slameh Duhair 23 29/7 respondent Palestine Public TV sport commenta- Ahed Afif Zaqout 49 30/7 tor Palestinian Network for Press and Rami Fathi Rayan 26 30/7 Media photojournalist Sameh Muhammad Aryan 28 31/7 Al-Risalla Weekly Newspaper editor Al-Aqsa Athletic website and BBC Abdallah Nasir Fahjan 21 1/8 Arabic ‘Sada Al-Mala'eb’ program photojournalist Palestinian Network for Press and Mahmoud Nour Dein Al-Deri 26 2/8 Media cameraman Shadi Hamdi Ayyad 24 2/8 Freelance journalist

Hamadah Khalid Muqat 27 4/8 Saja Agency director

Simone Camilli 35 13/8 Associated Press cameraman France Press Agency and Doha Center Ali Shteh Abu Afesh 37 13/8 for Media Freedom journalist, and Associated Press translator Al-Zakat charity press officer and Abduallah Fadel Murtaja 26 25/8 former Al-Aqsa TV and Nibras Media cameraman

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 11 According to what MADA and the Palestinian Ministry of Information have monitored, Israel killed 22 journalists between 2000 and the first half of 2014 (before the start of the latest attack on Gaza in July 2014). A comparison between the killed journalists in 2014 in Palestine, more specifically in Gaza, and the total of killed journalists since 2000 shows that the number of the killed journalists in 2014 equals 77% of the total of journalists killed during the past 14 years. This shows that the Israeli occupation authorities are indirectly encouraged to keep violating journalists’ rights in Palestine. This is a direct result of impunity. None of those who committed crimes against journalists have been held accountable, which encourages Israel to commit more crimes and violations against media freedoms. That was clear in the latest Israeli attack on Gaza, where many crimes they committed to hide the truth to the world via the media.

Physical assaults

In 2014 the Israeli occupation forces committed 175 crimes and physical assaults (including the killing of 17 journalists) in the West Bank including east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. This represents 50% of the total of Israeli violations (351). The number of physical assaults committed by the Israeli occupation forces has escalated from 87 violations in 2013 to 175 violations in 2014, which means an increase of more than 201%. The physical assaults have been multiplied by 7.5 between 2008 and 2014, from 23 violations in 2008 to 175 violations, which means an escalation of 760%.

The escalation in physical assaults committed by the IOF against journalists

Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Total

# 23 34 89 55 80 87 175 543

12 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Physically assaulting journalists is one of the main ways that Israel hasbeen suppressing journalists in Palestine throughout the last years. In the past 7 years (2008- 2014), physical assaults formed almost half of the violations committed by the IOF in Palestine, i.e. 533 out of 1149. Statistics show that the escalation of these physical assaults (except killing) was not related to a military attack (such as the latest attack on Gaza) but it is a main component of the Israeli policy of suppressing the media in Palestine.

Percentage of physical assaults committed by the IOF against journalists compared to the total of Israeli violations

Total Israeli Year physicel assaults Percentage violations 2008 23 147 15.6% 2009 34 97 35% 2010 89 139 64% 2011 55 100 55% 2012 80 164 48.7% 2013 87 151 58% 2014 )were killings 17( 175 351 49.8% Total 543 1149 47%

During the first half of 2014 (before the latest Israeli attack on Gaza), the IOF committed 132 violations against media freedoms in Palestine, 64 of them were physical assaults, which equals 48% of the total of violations monitored by MADA.

“There were 90-100 meters between the IOF and I, when a soldiers deliberately shot at me with a single bullet. The bullet hit my leg and exploded there. I was shot at while I was standing far away from the protesters. The bullet caused severe injuries in my left leg and broke bones. I had an operation at the Specialized Arab Hospital in Nablus. They removed 4 fragments but the rest stayed in my leg.”

Palestinian Public TV cameraman Bashar Mahmoud Nazzal

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 13 Many journalists were injured by the IOF’s rubber and live bullet as well as tear gas bombs in direct and deliberate targeting, as illustrated by what happened to the Palestinian Public TV cameraman Bashar Nazzal (age 36), from Qalqilya, who was shot with an explosive bullet fired by an Israeli soldier with a silencer weapon while he was covering the weekly demonstration in Kafr Qadoum on 5/12/2014. The bullet caused severe injuries to his leg and according, to Nazzal, the Israeli soldier did not shot another bullet or any kind of grenades before or after shooting him.

Targeting and shelling media outlets

The Israeli occupation forces shelled 20 media outlets headquarters in 2014 (all in the Gaza Strip), and interrupted the broadcast of 8 other media outlets. These crimes are considered the most severe violations committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian media, also because destroying media headquarters where hundreds of journalists work means preventing them from doing their job. Therefore, they have to wait for short or long periods until the media outlet works again, and sometimes the halting of activities is complete and definitive. Targeting and shelling media outlet headquarters have always been a constant policy of Israel, especially during its military attacks in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The IOF targeted and shelled 8 media outlets in their attack on Gaza in the years of 2008-2009. They also destroyed 33 media outlets in their attack of 2012 on Gaza, and 20 in the 2014 attack. In addition to that, the Israeli forces are used to destroying and seizing media equipment.

“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, Sayaja Company for media production, Sawt Al-Sha’b radio station, Ahalina Institute for media and TV production, Lama institute for Cinema production and Starcom for media services.” (Sawt Al-Sha'b director Hussein Al-Jamal)

14 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary The Israeli occupation forces have destroyed twice the headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV during the attack of 2008-2009, causing a loss of 6 million dollars (5 million dollars for the furniture and equipment, and 1 million for the 5-floor building). In 2014, the IOF shelled Al-Aqsa headquarters three times again. In the latest Israeli attack on Gaza in 2014, the IOF used other methods in addition to shelling media headquarters: they hacked the broadcast of 8 radio stations, TVs and websites, and broadcasted inciting messages to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip through the signals of these outlets. In the Israeli attack on Gaza in 2008-2009, the IOF interrupted 2 media outlets only, and none in the 2012 attack (probably because of the short duration of this specific attack, i.e. 8 days). Israel always tries to justify its crimes by claiming it targets media outlets related to Hamas or to other Palestinian parties that resist Israel. However, it also targets international, Arab and Palestinian media outlets which are not related toany political party. It also should be pointed out that some of these media outlets are officially registered and have correspondents in Israel, which proves that Israel’s claims are only a way to justify these crimes. Reporters without Borders strongly condemned the Israeli violations and deliberate targeting of the Hamas-affiliated media outlets, explaining that even the fact that a media outlet circulates propaganda does not make it a military target. The organization recalled that an expert committee formed by the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor for the former Yugoslavia to assess the NATO bombing campaign of 1999 specified that a journalist or media organization is not a legitimate target merely because it broadcasts or disseminates propaganda. Reporters without Borders’ secretary-general Christophe Deloire declared during the so-called “Pillar of Defence” military operation in 2012 that “Attacks against civilian targets constitute war crimes and serious violations of the Geneva Conventions,” adding that those responsible must be identified and held accountable.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 15 Shelling journalists’ houses

In 2014 the IOF shelled 37 houses of journalists in the Gaza Strip, which raised the total number of shelled journalists’ houses in the three Israeli attacks on Gaza to 50 houses. This kind of crimes has not only a financial affect: when the journalists and their families are forced to evacuate their houses, it also has a deep psychological impact and affects the journalist’s ability to work properly. The most dangerous effect of these shelling is of course the killing and injuries caused to journalists and their families, such as what happened with Al-Risala newspaper journalist Ala’ Shamali who lost 6 members of his families as a result of the shelling of his family’s house, and Palestine Public TV cameraman Mahmoud Athamneh whose wife and child were injured and left under the rubble for 30 minutes before being rescued.

“On 21/7 our house and many others nearby were shelled by a F16 Israeli warplane. 50 people from my family and relatives were living there. The house was completely destroyed leaving 6 people killed (my uncle, his wife, two of their sons and two of my cousins).”

(Filistin Al-Yom newspaper journalist Ala Rezeq Shamali)

Another journalist, Tawfiq Hamid who works for Al-Rai’ news agency, was injured as a result of the shelling and destruction of his house, together with other family members. The BBC journalist in Gaza, Jihad Mash’harawi, lost 3 of his family members as a result of the shelling and destruction of his house during the Israeli attack on Gaza in 2012. Another implication of the shelling of journalists’ houses is that they cannot continue doing their job as before because they are busy looking for a place for their families.

16 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Journalists’ arrests

The Israeli occupation forces arrested 13 Palestinian journalists in 2014, which represents the average number of this kind of incidents during the past years.

Israeli arrests of Palestinian journalists

Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Total

Number 51 7 18 12 13 13 13 127

There is however a new element in the Israeli policy of arresting journalists: arresting them for their writings. In 2014 the Israeli authority arrested several Palestinian activists and “citizen journalists” for their writings on Facebook with the accusation of inciting violence against the Israeli occupation. The first arrest for writing on Facebook was on 28/8/2014, when the web activist Suhaib Zahde (age 31) was arrested at a military checkpoint in Hebron. Zahde was released on 5/9/2014 and his lawyer Neri Ramati said he was released after paying a 4,000 NIS(about 1,000$) bail. Ramati added that initially the Israeli military court had decided that Zahde should pay a 10,000 NIS bail in addition to banning him from accessing Facebook, but the lawyer opposed that verdict and in the end the bail was reduced to 4,000 NIS and the Facebook ban was lifted. After this incident, 16 other arrests were committed against social media activists from Jerusalem with the accusation of writing inciting messages.

(Filistin Al-Yom newspaper journalist Ala Rezeq Shamali)

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 17 Using journalists as human shield

2014 witnessed another dangerous change related to violations against journalists committed by the Israeli occupation.

“Two Israeli officers used us journalists as human shields by hiding behind us during the clashes so that the Palestinians’ stones would not hit them.” “While I was fleeing from the place, a stone hit me in the testicle causing bleeding and swelling. I was taken to Rafidia hospital for treatment.” Reuters’ photographer Abdul Rahman Qousini

During 2014, MADA monitored 2 incidents where the IOF used journalists as human shields while they were covering demonstrations in the West Bank. This puts the lives of journalists in danger in addition to the fact that it violates international laws and agreements criminalizing these actions. The IOF used the journalists Abdul Rahim and Ala’ Badarne in Kafr Qadoum and Ourif villages in the West Bank on 18/11 and 28/11 as human shields. Abdul Rahim Qousini was injured by a stone thrown at the IOF by a Palestinian protester on that occasion. He reported to MADA: “The Israeli officers intended to use us as human shields by hiding behind us during the clashes.”

“The IOF do not always manage to assault the protestors directly so they assault the journalists instead out of anger. While my colleague Ala’ Badarne and I were standing between the IOF and the protestors during a weekly demonstration in Kafr Qadoum, near Qalqilya, an Israeli officer used Ala’ as a human shield. He stayed behind Ala’ to protect himself from the stones and prevented him from leaving. I ran away and went back to the middle of the street to take photos. Then a soldier came and pushed me. Ala’ stayed there with the officer behind him until he managed to flee the place.”

(Xinhua news agency photographer Nidal Eshtayye)

18 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Recommendations

Israel’s continuous violations, especially those committed during its military attacks on Gaza, are the main factor of the escalation of violations against media freedoms in Palestine. There is no final solution for that except ending the occupation. The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms MADA strongly condemns the killing of journalists and media workers by the Israeli forces. MADA also expresses concerns towards the escalation of Israeli violations against journalists especially during the latest attack on Gaza, where Israel consistently tried to block the coverage of its crimes against the Palestinians by violating media freedoms and attacking journalists. Not holding Israel and the Israeli forces accountable for their crimes against media freedoms in Palestine is a main factor in encouraging them to commit more crimes. In addition to all types of violations, Israel committed collective punishment against most journalists by denying them the authorization to enter Jerusalem or Gaza strip, which is a violation of their right to move freely to cover events. MADA expresses its satisfaction about the decision of the United Nation Human Rights Commission to form a committee to investigate the violations of human rights committed by both sides during the Israeli attack on Gaza on 24/7/2014, and about the decision of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to join the International Criminal Court on 31/12/2014. In addition, the decision of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, to open a preliminary examination of the situation in Palestine on 16/1/2015 gives a glimmer of hope for holding those responsible for attacks against journalists and media freedoms accountable. Therefore, MADA recommends the following: 1) Holding accountable all those responsible for these crimes, especially the killing of 17 journalists and media workers. This is one of the most important ways to reduce these violations against media freedoms in Palestine. 2) The international organizations and authorities must put pressure on the Israeli occupation to respect its international commitments which guarantee freedom of the media and freedom of expression and to stop its violations and crimes. 3) Stop arrests and administrative detention of journalists, and release those arrested. 4) Put pressure on the Israeli occupation to allow Palestinian journalists to move and travel freely.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 19 Palestinian violations

2014 witnessed an escalation of Palestinian violations against media freedoms compared to the previous years. MADA monitored 114 violations, which is the highest number of violations in the last 7 years. This escalation also equals an increase of 46% compared to 2013. This increase, especially in the West Bank, happened after the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation of April 2014, although this should have contributed to enhance the status of media freedoms. The main positive change was the resumption of the distribution of the newspapers in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but the continuous split between the two factions caused an increase of the violations.

The Palestinian violations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Number 110 76 79 106 74 78 114

The majority of the Palestinian violations were committed in the West Bank, while in the Gaza Strip there was an obvious decrease compared to 2013. There were 10 types of violations in Palestine, but most of them focused on four main types: assaults, interrogations, arrests and threats and prevention from covering. These four types of violations form around 86% of the total violations committed by the Palestinian sides in the West Bank and Gaza, i.e. 98 violations out of 114 monitored by MADA.

Palestinian violations by type Dismissal from work Assault and injury inspecting houses

Type of violation prevention from prevention from Prevention from

Detention and Interrogation

Threats and Raiding and coverage coverage Sanction Arrests travel Total

# 32 7 20 5 15 31 1 1 2 114

20 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Palestinian violations by type

0 Sanction Dismissal from work Prevention from travel Interrogation Arrests Raiding and inspecting houses Threats and prevention from coverage Detention and prevention from coverage Assault and injury

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 21 Physical assaults

The physical assaults were at the top of Palestinian violations. MADA monitored 32 physical assaults in the West Bank and Gaza. Comparing to 2013, the number has been multipled by 8. In 2013, 4 physical assaults were monitored and 32 in 2014. 24 of these violations were committed in the West Bank and 8 in Gaza, which is an increase in both areas.

Summoning for interrogation

The interrogation of journalists by the Palestinian Security Forces in the West Bank and Gaza is one of the main violations that Palestinian journalists face. This type of violations is committed as a punishment for journalists for the split between Hamas and Fatah in addition to the lack of understanding of the concept of freedom of speech by the security forces and the officials in Palestine. 31 journalists and media workers were summoned for interrogation in 2014 (25 in the West Bank and 6 in Gaza Strip). This is an increase of 29% compared to 2013 (in 2013, 24 journalists were interrogated in the West Bank and Gaza). Most of these interrogations were about journalists’ writings and criticisms, and a part of them were related to the journalists’ coverage of demonstrations and other activities. Usually the security forces warn the journalists during the interrogation not to criticize and to put red lines to their freedom of media coverage. The main objective of interrogating journalists is to intimidate them so that they will stop criticizing or covering specific events. This intensifies self-censorship among journalists, as documented clearly in MADA’s latest study which revealed that 80% of journalists said they partially or completely censor themselves.

Threatening and preventing from covering

MADA monitored 20 cases of threats and prevention from coverage in 2014 in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Threatening journalists is mainly aimed at preventing them from covering specific events, or affecting the way they cover some events. 11 threats and prevention from coverage incidents were monitored in the West Bank and 9 in the Gaza Strip. 2014 witnessed a double increase of this type of violations compared to 2013, when only 11 of this kind of violations were monitored. have in creased to 20 incidents in 2014.

22 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Arrests

2014 witnessed continuous cases of arrest, although arresting journalists is banned in most democratic countries that respect freedom of expression. In 2014, 15 journalists were arrested by the Palestinian security forces, 14 were in the West Bank and 1 in the Gaza Strip. Even though the number of arrests has decreased compared to 2013 (where there were 22 arrests), it is still one of the most serious violations of media freedoms.

Palestinian violation in the West Bank

The number of Palestinian violations against media freedoms in the West Bank has tripled compared to 2013 (28 violations were monitored in 2013, and 90 violations in 2014). This is an unprecedented escalation, equals to 321%.

Palestinian violations in the West Bank during the last years

Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Number 66 49 46 44 37 28 90

The number of violations committed by Palestinians in the West Bank in 2014 is higher than in any of the previous 7 years. Even compared to 2008, a difficult year where 66 violations were recorded in the West Bank (during the division between Hamas and Fatah), the year 2014 represents a 36% increase with 90 violations monitored. Most of these violations were related to what the security forces describe as inciting “slandering” against the Palestinian authority and insulting prominent personalities. These violations were indirect outputs of the Palestinian division and its negative repercussions, including internal tensions and violations of freedom of expression in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In an unprecedented incident, the Palestinian Authority prevented a blogger from travelling because of his writings on Facebook. On 29/10/2014 the Palestinian Intelligence banned the blogger and former radio anchor Ali Qaraqe’ from travelling and interrogated him about his writings on Facebook and other social media websites.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 23 Palestinian violations in the West Bank Dismissal from work Assault and injury inspecting houses

Type of violation prevention from prevention from Prevention from

Detention and Interrogation

Threats and Raiding and coverage coverage Sanction Arrests travel Total

# 24 7 11 5 14 25 1 1 2 90

Palestinian violations in the West Bank

24 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Palestinian violations in the Gaza Strip

In 2014 the Palestinian violations against media freedoms in Gaza have been divided by 2 compared to 2013, decreasing from 50 violations to 24.

Palestinian violations in the Gaza Strip

Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Number 44 27 33 62 37 50 24

The table shows that the violations committed in 2014 were the less numerous of the latest 7 years. These violations took different forms: physical assaults, threats and prevention from coverage, summon and interrogation, and arrests.

Palestinian violations in the West Bank

prevention from Assault & injury interrogation

Summon &

Threats & coverage Arrest Total Type

Number 8 9 1 6 24

Like in the West Bank, most of these violations are related to the Palestinian internal division.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 25 Types of Palestinian violations in Gaza

Summon & interrogation Assault & injury Arrest

Threats & prevention from coverage

One of the most serious violation in Gaza in 2014 was the publication ofa statement by the so-called Islamic State (IS) - Gaza District on 1/12/2014 accusing 18 writers (including 4 journalists) of apostasy. The statement also threatened of severe consequences if they did not return to Islam in three days. The statement was sent to some universities in Gaza and to the emails of the 18 writers and journalists who were mentioned and threatened in the statement.

26 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Recommendations

The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms MADA condemns all these violations committed by different Palestinian sides, and expresses its deep concerns about the continuous violations against media freedoms in Palestine in 2014. MADA welcomes that Palestine joined several international agreements that guarantee freedom of expression, as well as the distribution of newspapers in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Therefore, MADA recommends the following: 1) Palestinian official bodies must stop all freedom of expression violations in Palestine, which are against the Palestinian basic law. 2) Hold all aggressors accountable, especially those who commit physical assaults (which represents the largest part of all the violations). 3) Stop the censorship and harrassment of journalists for their writings on social media. 4) Stop interrogating journalists and citizens, because it became a method to punish and put pressure on them for writing and expressing their opinions. 5) Enact the Right to Access Information law.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 27 Details of Violations

JANUARY

8/1 the IOF detained Attef Abu Alrob (49 years old) correspondent of Al Haya Aljadeeda newspaper while he was covering the demolitions carried out by the IOF in the Jordan Valley, specifically in the villages “Alkarzaleya and Aljeftlek” and the Ouja area. Abu Alrob reported to MADA that Israeli soldiers detained him and searched his car precisely. Abu Alrob added: “ one of the soldiers made a call, and then he tried to take my cell phone claiming it poses a threat to the soldiers and baffles them, but I refused to give it to him and told him that there is no law that prevents me from carrying my cell phone, and after about an hour and a half another soldier came and I was released”.

14/1 members of the Palestinian National Security and the police detained Raya Media Agency photographers Samer Nazal and Shady Hatem, during their coverage of clashes between security forces and residents of Jalazoun Refugee Camp south of Ramallah, who closed several entrances of Ramallah city, in protest against the strike of UNRWA employees for more than 40 days, and dozens of citizens and police officers were injured. Nazal reported to MADA that he was covering the event with his colleague Shadi Hatem, during which the security police men approached them, and confiscated their cameras. Nazzal added: “After about a quarter of an hour they returned our cameras, but they deleted all footage and told us not to capture the faces of the security men or film their attacks on the people of the camp”.

16/1 Mohamed Suboh (22 years old) photographer at Panet news website was detained while covering the IOF raiding of Alkhader town west of Bethlehem. Suboh reported to MADA that three IOF military vehicles stormed the town at around 9:00am, and while filming the raid, soldiers detained and interrogated him. Suboh adds: “they asked me to choose between deleting the images or getting arrested, so I was forced to delete the film, and I was released after about half an hour”.

17/1 the IOF attacked the Wafa agency photographer Ayman Alnoubani, when he was covering the weekly demonstration in Kafir Kadoum village west of Nablus. Alnoubani reported to MADA that the IOF shot directly at him several tear gas grenades, where two hit him. Alnoubani adds: “the first slightly injured my foot, while the second wounded my wrist caused it to swell, I received treatment at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus”.

20/1 During the Canadian Prime minister Stephen Harper visit to the Nativity church in Bethlehem, Nativity TV cameraman Amer Hijazi was attacked by one of

28 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Harpers Security Guards. Mousa Al Shaer/Journalist reported to MADA that he went with about 7 of his colleagues to cover Harper’s visit, after coordination with the Department of Information in the Office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. When they arrived to Bethlehem at the Nativity Church, the Canadian press and media accompanying Harper were allowed entrance first by his Guards, and then they allowed the Palestinian Press and journalists to enter the Church. Al Shaer added: “once we entered the church we were prevented from filming, so we protested against that, but the guard punched Al-Mahid TV cameraman Amer Hijazi by a metal fist ring to Hijazi’s chest. Al Shaer also reported that the journalists protested against the attack on their colleague in front of the Nativity church after the incident.

20/1 Palestinian News Network correspondent Mohamed Musalma (42 years old) was attacked, while on his way to cover the demolition of houses in Beit Awa village near Hebron. Musalma reported to MADA that when he arrived to the area an Israeli officer stopped and prevented him from going to the site of the demolition and only allowed him to cover from afar, so he went another route and reached the demolition site. Musalma added: “When the officer saw me he attacked me and strangled my neck and began to scream abusive verbal words. My colleagues tried to pull him off me, and the soldiers threw stun and gas grenades onus, prevented us from covering, and forced us to leave the area”.

22/1 Aljazeerah cameraman Labeeb Jizmawee (36 years old) was detained while coveringIsraeli settlers break into Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Jizmawee reported to MADA:” while I was covering the Israeli settlers break in incident, I was surprised by a group of Israeli policemen who pushed me and took me to the police station called “Noktat Al Ha2et” they detained me for two hours, during which they interrogated me about why I was filming and my personal identity”. Jizmawee noted that they had to release him because they could not convict him, because he holds a legal permit to enter Al-Aqsa mosque.

23/1 The IOF prevented a group of journalists from covering the demolition of wrought-iron property belonging to one of the furniture factories in Beit Awa, west of Hebron, French news agency photographer Hazem Bader reported to MADA that he went to cover the demolition with a number of colleagues they are: Pal Media agency cameraman Amer Abdeen, Palestine Public TV cameraman Thaer Faqosah, and Chinese news agency photographer Mamoun Wazwaz. Bader added: “Israeli soldiers tried to prevent us from coverage in several ways, they threw tear gas and sound grenades toward us in order to get us to flee the area, and they covered our

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 29 cameras with their hands. Then one of the soldiers chose a spot for us to cover from, but in spite of that, another soldier targeted us with grenades again”.

24/1 The IOF attacked the French agency photographer Jafaar Ishteya, when he was covering the weekly demonstration of Kafir Kadoum village. Ishteya reported to MADA that: “During our coverage of the Kafir Kadoum weekly demonstration, as usual we stood on a specific side to be clear to the army that we are journalists so we don’t get targeted. I was wearing the appropriate journalist attire a phosphoric painted jacket with the word “press” written on it, since this morning, a soldier got out from behind the wall and began firing volleys of tear gas by an automatic weapon on journalists, I raised my hand to my face for protection but got slammed and was hit by a bomb in my right hand, the injury was minor, and I have received treatment. This was my first injury”. Ishteya added: “once the demonstrators’ number increased and clashes erupted, the IOF began firing tear gas; I was standing with three colleagues when we were targeted deliberately and directly with tear gas bombs. I was the closest to the soldiers, with only 20-25 miters away, I was hit with a bomb straight from the back that hit my right shoulder, I passed out on the ground for seconds, and my jacket burned, my shoulder was bleeding, so the men rushed me to an ambulance which transferred me to the hospital for treatment”.

26/1 European Press Agency photographer Abed El-Hafiz Al-hashlamoon and WAFA Agency photographer Ahmed Mizherwere detained while covering the clashes erupted between Palestinian citizens and Israeli occupation forces in Khilat Alnahl area near the city of Bethlehem. Al-hashlamoon reported to MADA that the IOF searched them, insulted them, and detained them for about a hour and half, then they were released.

IOF impedes the work of PalMedia crew, by Mamoun Wazwaz

30 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Details of Violations

FEBRUARY

1/2 The IOF detained Palestine Public TV cameraman Omar Abu Awad (27 years old), while covering the activities of the Popular Resistance in the village of “Ein Hejleh”. Abu Awad reported to MADA that the IOF detained them and searched their vehicle thoroughly for two hours. He added: “They confiscated our personal identification cards and left us waiting under the sun for two hours, and then they returned them to us and released us”.

2/2 The Israeli police detained Al -Ghad Al-Arabi TV correspondent and Palestine Public TV presenter Dia Houshia and photojournalist Munther Khatib while they were preparing a report on the anthropomorphic for Solomon’s Temple near “Buark Wall/ Wailing Wall” in Jerusalem. Houshia reported to MADA that they went to photograph the anthropomorphic for their report, then policemen approached them and took them to the police station near the area, there they were detained for four hours, during which they were prevented from talking or movement. Houshia added: “It was raining, and we were detained under the rain not inside the station, and then we were transferred to Al-Qishleh police station where we stayed there for two hours, and they interrogated us about the reason for our presence on that site and then we were released at about 3:30pm”.

3/2 The IOF prevented Palestine Public TV crew ( Ali Dar Ali-correspondent, Mohamed Al-Issa-correspondent, Mohamed Rafik- Cameraman, and Omar Abu Awad-cameraman) from coveringthe activities of the Popular Resistance in the village of “Ein Hejleh” near the city of Jericho.Abu Awad reported to MADA that Israeli soldiersdetained them and confiscated their personal identification cards, and they were prevented from using their cameras, they were released after about an hour and were threatened by the soldiers to never come to the village again.

4/2 The IOF assaulted Alquds TV correspondent Mamdouh Hamamrah and Palmedia agency cameraman Abdul Ghani Alnatsha, and they were detained for an hour, after carrying out a journalistic task in the Aroub refugee camp in Hebron. Hamamrah reported to MADAThat he went with his colleague Abdul Ghani to cover a story about the life of a prisoner in the Aroub camp, and after the completion of their work, the Israeli army closed the refugee camp gate and prevented them from leaving under the pretext “it’s a closed military zone”. Hamamrah added: “they objected our way, ordered us to get out of the car, and they pushed us, and when my colleague tried to document their assult on us they severely beat him, and

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 31 detained us for a full hour. They confiscated two camera’s memory cards, each card costs$ 100”. Hamamrah also stated that they called the Military liaison to retrieve the memory cards, and they were returned to them after about an hour and a half.

5/2 An Israeli soldier attacked Ayman Abu Ramouz – cameraman at Al -arz production company (24 years old), while he was covering the demolition of Jerusalemite citizen house in Jabal Almoukabir in Jerusalem. The IOF also prevented Almayadeen TV crew (Hana Mahameed-correspondent and Suhaib Salhab- cameraman) from covering the demolition. Abu Ramouz reported to MADA that at 11:00 am he headed to Jabal Almoukabir to cover the demolition of some houses, but an Israeli soldier prevented him from filming despite showing his press identification card. Abu Ramouz added that another demolition took place at 1pm, and when he headed to the area again to cover the road leading to the house was blocked, so he accompanied Almayadeen crew to the house via a detour road, and when they began filming the demolition they were approached by a IOF soldiers who prevented the journalist from filming and started pushing them away from the site. Abu Ramouz stated: “the soldier tried to hit me at first so I moved away from him, and while I was talking to my colleague Suhaib, I laughed, so the soldier approached me and asked why I was laughing? I told him that it does not concern him, so he began to verbally insult me and hit me on my face, and broke my glasses. The soldiers also pushed my colleague Hana Mahameed and prevented us from covering their attack on her”.

6/2 Sheraa TV a local station in Tulkarem City was forced to temporarily stop broadcasting after receiving numerous threats by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) over the first week of the month of February 2014. Sheraa TV general director Mohamed Zeidan reported to MADA that they received numerous threats from the IOF for over a week, that they must stop broadcasting immediately because the broadcasting disturbs the “Ben-Gurion” airport near the city of Al-lid, and Israeli communications. Zeidan adds that they consulted a number of technicians from the Palestinian Ministry of Communications and Al-Najah University, who confirmed that the devices do not cause any interference. After they presented the Palestinian liaison center with proof certificates, the IOF dropped its claims and said that the broadcasting was interfering with an Israeli TV broadcasting.

The IOF had made several complaints to the Palestinian liaison since Wednesday 29th January 2014; to stop Sheraa TV broadcasting otherwise they will force it. Zeidan adds: “We have taken the decision to stop broadcasting two days ago until we find a

32 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary solution to this issue, because it is no stranger to the occupation authorities to raid media outlets and confiscate broadcasting equipment, which cost us a fortune”.

7/2 the IOF assaulted Palestine Public TV cameraman Fadi Jayyousi (34 years old) while covering the Israeli occupation soldiers raiding of “Ein Hejleh” near the city of Jericho. Jayyousi reported to MADA That he was standing with his colleague correspondent Ali Dar Ali on the roof top of one of the rooms to cover the raid and that’s when the soldiers went up to the roof top and forced the journalists to go down and they pushed me over the room rooftop from a height of about 2.5 meters. Jayyousi added: “I fell from the top on my back it caused a muscle tear in my back, and I could no longer move. I was transferred to the hospital and discovered I had another tear in my leg I was admitted to the hospital for one night”.

11/2 the IOF detained Bilal Altamimi a freelance photojournalist (48 years old) while covering the IOF raiding of Alnabi Saleh village near Ramallah. Altamimi reported to MADA that Israeli soldiers raided the village after seeing a group of young Palestinians raising the Palestinian Flag, and while he was covering the IOF detained him and placed him in one of their towers near the village handcuffed and eye folded. Altamimi added: “I was detained from 5pm until 9pm, I was then transferred for interrogation at Benyamin Center near Jaba village, I was interrogated for obstructing the soldiers work, I explained I was only taking photographs, I was detained there until 12:30am”.

15/2 the IOF assaulted freelance cameraman Yusuf Shakarna (24 years old) while he was preparing a report about the conditions of Palestinian workers who enter Israel without permission for jobs. Shakarna reported to MADA that he was in Wadi Fukin in the area of Bethlehem to work on his report, and then he was attacked by 4 Israeli soldiers who beat him. Shakarna added: “They left me at a almost vacant area, where I was bleeding and unable to move, and remained there until some people passed by chance and gave me first aid and contacted my family, they took me to the Public Beit Jala Hospital, then I was transferred to Alyamam hospital. I had a tear in my left foot muscle in addition to wounds in my ankle and heel and my jaw was swollen with inflammation, I also underwent cosmetic surgery for the bottom of my eyes with seven stitches”.

16/2 the Palestinian police and security prevented journalists from covering the sit-in in front of the Palestinian Authority Headquarters “Almoqata’a” in the morning,in Ramallah city, to protest the Presidents Abu Mazen decision to welcome an Israeli delegation at the headquarters. WATAN agency photographer Ahmad

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 33 Melhem reported to MADA that security men in military uniforms and civilian uniforms tried to prevent journalists from covering the protest at 11:30am, and confiscated the personal identity cards of journalists for a very brief period, but the journalists insisted on covering the event and continued their work.

18/2 the Israeli Occupation police summoned Ameer Mohamed Abed Rabu (21 years old) a photographer at Panet a multi-media website for interrogation at police station west of Jerusalem. Abed Rabu reported to MADA that he received a phone call from the Police station to head to the center immediately or he will be arrested, for writing “the Occupation’s Municipality” instead of “Jerusalem’s Municipality” in his post on Facebook. Abed Rabu added: “The interrogation focused on my use of the term Occupation’s municipality where the investigator pointed out that it helps to create confusion and destabilize the regime. The goal of the interrogation was to frighten and intimidate me and I was threatened to lose my membership card at Panet, and he pointed to my need to attention to the terminology I use. The Interrogation lasted about 45 minutes then they released me”.

18/2 the IOF attacked a group of journalists who were covering the raiding of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by Israeli settlers. The journalists are: Mahmud Alayan/Alquds newspaper photographer, Ammar Awad/ Reuters photographer, Ahmed Garbali/ French news agency photographer, Tawfeek Saliba/ Alarbiya channel cameraman, photographer Najieb Alrazem, and Wael Salayma/ Aljazeera cameraman. Mahmud Alayan reported to MADA that the journalists had gone to cover the raiding of the settlers to Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the occupation forces began throwing stun grenades and rubber bullets toward the journalists and the protesters who tried to defend the mosque, but no one got hurt. Alayan added: “It did not stop at that, but their assault began to take another form, where the soldiers began shouting at us and beating us in order to get away from the place and not to film, we were all beaten but the most severe injury was done to photographer Najieb Alrazem”. The journalists told the Israeli police spokesman about the attacks, but he did not care for their complaints.

21/2 the IOF attacked Palmedia agency cameraman Abdul Ghani Alnatsha (32 years old) while covering the clashes that erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian citizens in Hebron afterthe end of a demonstration to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre. Alnatsha reported to MADA that he went to cover the demonstration and the subsequent clashes, and then he heard the sound of gunfire and tear gas and then felt a hit above his eye. Alnatsha added: “I feel to the ground and I lost consciousness and I was transferred to the hospital, and I got 5 stitches, I could not see in my eye for a long time. I

34 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary was contacted by the Civil Administration and they apologized to me, and offered treatment at the expense of the army, and told me that they will subject the soldier to interrogation”.

27/2 the Preventive security men prevented correspondent at Hona Alquds network for community media Shatha Hammad in from covering a protest for the family of Raslan Halabia, who was killed by Palestinian citizens, to demand the perpetrators to be punished, the protest took place in front of the Palestinian Authority Headquarters “Almoqata’a” in Nablus. Hammad reported to MADA that on that day she headed to the PA headquarters to cover the protest, and that’s when she was approached by men in civil uniforms who introduced them self as security men, and they asked her to delete the footage that shows the security men. Hammad added: “not just that, I was also approached by a police men who asked me not to film and leave the area, despite me showing him my press card”.

28/2 In Jerusalem, journalists while covering a citizen’s arrest were held at gun point by an armed disguised soldier. Dyala Jwehan Alquds Net photographer reported to MADA that she was covering the arrest with a group of journalist, during which an armed disguised soldierpointed a gun at them to stop covering. Jwehan reported that the journalists who were there are: Mahmud Alayan, Ahmed Garbali, Ammar Awad, Atta Iwesat, Ameer Abed Rabu, and Saeed Alqaq.

Photo by Ma’an News Agency

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 35 Details of Violations

MARCH

2/3 the IOF prevented Alquds Net correspondent Diala Jwehan from covering a protest against closing Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem City.Jwehan reported to MADA that she went to cover the protest, which started from the Sultan Suleiman Street in Jerusalem, during which one of the soldiers approached her and tried to prevent her from covering and followed her from one place to another, and pushed her strongly. Jwehan added: “I have moved from one place to another to take photos, but a Special Forces man approached and he pushed me hard, I was also approached by security men who were about to beat me, but a colleagues quickly dragged me away from them”.

6/3 48 hours prior to the International Women’s Day, Faten Alwan- Alhura channel correspondent was pushed and threatened by a member of security forces while she was covering a women’s protest in front of the Palestinian Authority Headquarters “Almoqata’a” in Ramallah, demanding amendments on the Penal code and the personal status for women law, especially in regard to the so-called “honor killings”. Alwan Reported to MADA: “A security personnel in his civil cloth started pushing us and all the journalists who were present on site, including my colleague, Yahya Habayeb- Alhura TV cameraman, and when I asked him why are you doing this? He commanded me to stay away or he will confiscate the camera, and when I asked him what his name was, he told me: “you journalists need discipline”, and then he said: Thank your Lord that you are not a man”. Alwan said she insisted on knowing his name so she can file a complaint against him, but he told her: “I’m a ghost no one can punish me”.

6/3 The Ministry of Palestinian Women’s Affairs withheld the honoring of journalist Nahed Abu Taima because of her criticism of the government, parties and institutions for not protecting women in Palestine on her Facebook page. The Incident happened after she was told she will be included among other female journalists who will be honored at its honorary ceremony that was supposed to be held to mark the International Women’s Day. Abu Taima reported to MADA: “There is a heavy burden on Palestinian women, and for 20 years we have begged the successive governments to protect women by amending the legal penalties and personal status, but without a avail, and since all Palestinian laws guarantee citizens the right to freedom of expression, it is our right as journalists to express our opinions about the government’s different policies especially those relating to women. The attempts to intimidate women journalists, offending and abusing them in any form, and imposing censorship

36 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary on their writing are unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of the laws”.

7/3 in the afternoon near the settlement of Beit Eil, north of Ramallah, a group of Israeli settlers attacked three photojournalists. Abbas Momani – Photographer at France Press agency reported to MADA: “I went to cover the clashes happening near the Israeli settlement of Beit Eil, and before I arrived to the site, I was surprised by armed settlers, they attacked my car and began throwing large stones at it from within a walking distance, and I remained inside the car. The Occupation soldiers did not interfere to prevent it or stop it, and the settlers were moved away by the soldiers after they caused major damage to my car. Luckily I only got minor injuries in my left hand, but they caused major damage to the car, the windshield was crashed and many parts of the car were damaged”.

Maath Misha’al – photgrapher at Anatolia Agency reported that he and a colleague a freelance photographer Abdul Karim Mesetif were also attacked while trying to capture the attack on their colleague Momani. Misha’al reported to MADA:

“While I was shooting the attack on Momani, a group of arm settlers attacked me and my colleague Mesetif, where one began to beat us and put his hand on the camera lens to prevent us from coverage, and told us that photography is prohibited, and I told him you are not entitled to prevent us and you do not have the authority to do so, he pointed the gun at me, and the situation was scary, so I screamed at the Israeli army, and they moved him away”.

Misha’al also reported that the army did nothing during the attack on Momani, but he received a call from the Israeli police around seven o’clock in evening, asking him to hand over the video tape that documented the settlers attack in order to hold them accountable.

11/3 Sinan Abu Mezr (41 years old) Reuters’ photographer was injured by an IOF rubber Bullet in his chest, while he was covering a demonstration that set out from the Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem to condemn the martyrdom of Palestinian citizens in the West Bank. Abu Mezr Reported to MADA that while he was covering Israeli soldiers’ arrest of a young guy, soldiers fired a rubber bullet at him from a very close distance estimated no more than five meters. Abu Mezr added: “It’s not the first time I got attacked, in late February a gun was pointed at my face and I was pushed strongly by an Arabized”.

12/3 a complaint was submitted by the Minister of Finance Mr. Shukri Bshara to WAFA news agency against Jaffar Sadaqa, a journalistwho wrote a report about the Ministry, especially that his report tackled the accountability of the ministry. The complaint included charges of defaming the government and the Ministry of Finance

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 37 and sabotaged its relations with donors as reported by Sadaqa. And the agency formed an investigation committee to interrogate him on Monday 14th March 2014, but then the WAFA agency canceled it after a wave of solidarity from journalists and media outlets and organizations including MADA, which in a press release stated that “The complaint is considered a pressure to restrain the media’s ability and freedom to follow and report on public institutions, and an attempt to suppress freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by the Palestinian Basic Law and The Press and Publications Law, and this law allows the Minister of Finance Minister to respond to Sadaqa’s report. Note that the Minister did respond to the journalist, and Sadaqa responded back, and that is when the complaint was made. WAFA agency stated it has been agreed with the journalists’ Syndicate during a meeting on 16/03/2014 that “no investigation committees will be formed, and any problem in this regard will be referred to the Syndicate”.

16/3 the IOF soldiers detained Palestine Today TV correspondent Fida Nasserfor very long hours after she was attacked by Israeli settlers who beat her and sprayed her with red wine. Nasser reported to MADA that she was preparing a report about the effects on Palestinian citizens by Jewish holidays in the city of Hebron, near the entrance of Martyrs Street, after she was attacked by the settlers; a female settlers called the soldiers and accused Fida of pushing and attacking her. Nasser added: “the soldiers detained me until the police arrived, and they forced me to accompany them to the police station after I refused to do so voluntarily, when I entered the interrogation room, I was charged with assaulting a female settlers who was present also to testify, and even though I denied the charges, they tried to prove it with all means. They photographed me and took my fingerprints, and then they released me after I signed a paper stating that I should attend to the station at any time I am called”. The detention process lasted from 11 am until 4:15pm.

18/3 the IOF prevented Ma’an TV cameraman Jalal Hamied, and the photographers Abd-Alrahman Younis and Mousa Alshaer from covering a military Jeep rollover in Tekoa area near Beit Sahour city. Hamied was also attacked by Israeli soldiers, and he reported to MADA: “the IOF soldiers prevented my colleagues and me from covering and I was at front, so a soldier grabbed me from the neck violently and pushed me about 6 meters to the back”.

23/3 the IOF detained 6 Palestinian journalists in different locations in the West Bank North near Nablus and South near Bethlehem, while exercising their profession.

38 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary They are: Dubai TV correspondent Mohamed Assayed, Associated Press cameraman Mohamed Hassan and the producer Rami Abdu, French Agency photographer Mousa Alshaer, Alquds Dot Com photographer Abd-Alrahman Younis, and an American photographer “name unknown”.

Mohamed Assayed reported to MADA on Sunday 23rd March 2014, that he went with his colleagues Mohamed Hassan and Rami Abdu to prepare a report near Zatarra checkpoint south of Nablus city, during which they were approached by border soldiers who asked them to stop filming and to hand over their identification cards. After 45 minutes, they were asked to head to the control tower at the checkpoint and park their car there. Assayaed added: “At that time we realized that they want to detain us for a long time, so we called the Associated Press Office, we were released after 2 hours and 15 minutes”. Assayaed added: “It’s not the first time that we are exposed to the violations by the occupation, we have faced the most difficult and the most serious violations, but we will continue to deliver our message and our voice to the world”.

Mousa Alshaer reported to MADA that he went to cover the clashes erupted in the Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem, but the occupation forces that were heavily present in the area, prevented him and his colleague Abd-Alrahman Younis from covering, as well as an American photographer. Alshaer Added: “We were standing away from clashes and near the Occupation army, but they asked us to go to the shooting area, but we refused and we told them that it’s a dangerous area. Their reaction was to confiscate our personal identification cards and they kept us for about an hour and a half”.

23/3 the IOF targeted Iyad Hamad (55years old) Associated Press Photographer, while he was covering the clashes erupted between young Palestinians and the IOF in Aida Refugee Camp near Bethlehem City. Hamad reported to MADA that he went to the Aida refugee camp in order to cover the events there, and he was accompanied by colleague Alquds Dot Com photographer Abd-Alrahman Younis. Hamad added: “all entrances to the camp were blocked and so we took a reroute and entered the area where the IOF were located and young Palestinian’s were throwing stones at them, I moved away from the army a little to park my car away and suddenly I heard a loud sound, which was the sound of a bullet that hit the rear of my car while I am inside. It was clear I was targeted, because there was a press badge on my car in English, and it is time for our voice to be raised for international protection”.

24/3 the Police in Gaza summoned Ayman Mustafa Ala’loul (42 years old) the

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 39 correspondent at Alforat Iraqi TV,and the confiscated his personal identification card, after his report that criticized Hamas’ festival to honor martyrs in Saraya Square on 23rd March 2014. Ala’loul reported to MADA that he was summoned by the Investigation department in Gaza by telephone to come to the police headquarters in Alrimal Area. He added: “When I got there they took my identification card and told me to return the next day at 9 am. When I went back the next day they began interrogating me about my work in a friendly way, and then I was transferred to Aljawazat police station, and stayed there until the evening, where I received bad treatment and stayed in a cramped and solitary confinement room without food or a drink. After that I had to sign a pledge to abide by Islamic ethics, customs and traditions then I was released, and until this moment I didn’t recover my identification card, and MADA’s lawyer is now helping me to recover it”.

24/3 the IOF prevent Shihab News Agency correspondent Amer Abu Arafa from covering and forced him to delete any footage, while he was covering the IOF raiding of Hebron City near Alansar Mosque. Abu Arafa reported to MADA that he found out about the IOF raiding of the area near Alansar Mosque, so he went to cover the event, and as soon as he started filming his car was surrounded by 4 Israeli military jeeps, and intelligence officers got out of the jeeps. Abu Arafa added: “they searched the car and forced me to erase all the pictures, then they took a photo of me and my press I.D, and they asked me to come tomorrow for an interview at the Etzion center, but I refused to do so. One of the officers replied that if he did not come they will bring it. However, I did not go”.

27/3 In Gaza Strip, the IOF attackedAyman Alsayfe (36 years old) Alkitab TV cameraman, while he was covering a peaceful demonstration to commemorate Earth Day on Thursday 27th March 2014. Alsayfe reported to MADA that while he was present in Beit Hanoun city in the Gaza strip near the border, the IOF soldiers shot bullets and Gas grenades, which lead to his injury in the chest by a gas grenade. Alsayfe added: “I’ve been wearing a press badge that included Alkitab TV as well, which is the media outlet I work for. After my injury I was transferred to Beit Hanoun Hospital for treatment and came out of it after two hours, but I still feel pain and swelling in my chest, and now I’m on sick leave for treatment”.

29/3 the IOF detained Al Roaya TV crew (Ahmed Barahma “25 years old”- correspondent and Mohamed Shousha “30years old”- cameraman), when they were on their way to film “Bab Alkarama village” in Jeftlek area near Jericho. Barahma reported to MADA that that on their way to the village, four Israeli soldiers stopped them and detained them for 4 hours. Brahma added: “During detention, they confiscated our mobile equipment and our I.Ds, and personal phones only because we

40 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary are journalists, at the same time they did not prevent other cars from passing through the same road towards that area. I tried several times to speak with the officer in charge, but he refused any discussion with me, and would say “when I feel like it I will let you go” and even when I asked him if we could return to Ramallah he refused that as well. Four hours later they returned our things and released us”.

29/3 the IOF attacked a group of journalists during their coverage of a demonstration in the city of Jerusalem to commemorate Earth Day. The French Agency photographer Ahmed Algarbali (33 years old) reported to MADA that the number of participants was few at the demonstration, where only about 25 people gathered at the end of Salah Aldein street, and they did not expect any clashes, but they were surprised by IOF who began throwing sound and gas grenades as well as shooting rubber bullets at the participants to disperse them. Algarbali added: “I ran away from the grenades and bullets, but I was injured in my head from a rubber bullet that caused a deep wound almost 1.5 centimeter, and I was transferred to a hospital for treatment. We submitted a formal complaint to the Foreign Journalists’ Syndicate, which I am a member of, because the injury was a deliberate targeting of present journalist including myself, and even though the soldiers denied our complaint and charges against them, we provided evidence by a video that filmed the incident and proved our charges.

The French TV cameraman Jameel Qadmani (4o years old) reported to MADA that he was hit by a rubber bullet “Type Blue” above his right knee, and he was transferred to the hospital for treatment . The freelance photojournalist Suliman Khadir (34 years old) reported that he was injured by 2 rubber bullets: the first in left side of his chest, and the second in his right hip. Khadir added: “I didn’t go to the hospital; I only took pain killers I previously had at home from a previous injury. My colleague Mohamed Ashoo was also injured my rubber bullet in his leg”.

29/3 members of the Palestinian security in civilian clothes attacked Watan TV crew (correspondent Ahmad Melhem, “29year old”, and cameraman Ahmed Zaki “24 years old”) after they covered the sermon for Altahrir Party at Jamal Abdel Nasser mosque in the city of Al-bereh-Ramallah. Melhem reported to MADA that he headed with his colleague to cover the sermon, and after they were done, a member of security wearing civilian cloth attacked them and tried to confiscate their cameras by force, but he didn’t succeed. Melhem added: “We introduced ourselves and showed our press cards, but he handed us over to the security men who were standing outside the main door of the mosque. And they attacked us and yelled at us, then one of them put his hand on my face, but we threatened them to file a complaint against them, so they tried to threaten us. After about twenty minutes of detention, an officers came and we told him what happened, he released us and ordered us to leave the place

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 41 and not to photograph or approach the place again”.

31/3 the Hamas General Intelligence services in the Gaza Strip prevented the Press House Foundationfrom holding a celebration to honor the journalists working at the network of Palestinian journalists at Hotel Adam in Gaza city. Shams Aldein Odeh (44years old) a journalist at Link Media Production Company reported to MADA that before the celebration the Press House Foundation obtained an official permission from the Government media office, and the management of Adam Hotel also obtained permission from the Ministry of Interior, yet an hour into the celebration the participants were surprised by detectives who raided the celebration and prevented them from completing it by force under the pretext that there is no license “permission”. When they told the detectives that they did obtain permissions, the answer was it is a superior order”.

AFP Photoghrapher Ahmed Algarabali

Photoghrapher Mohamed Ashoo receives medical treatment, by Amin Siam

42 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Details of Violations

APRIL

4/4 the Palestinian intelligence service in Nablus summoned for investigation Transmedia photographer, Hazem Nasser (24 years). Nasser told MADA that he had received a phone call from an intelligence investigator asking him to immediately to come to their office on Thursday 3/4 but Nasser was busy and asked to postpone the investigation to the next day. When Nasser went there, 5 investigators started interrogating him about his professional work, and especially his report on the “political arrests” committed after the funeral of Mohammad Hanbali.

Nasser said: “The investigation lasted for almost 6 hours. They threatened of putting me in jail and torturing me. Later on they released me and asked me to come back on Sunday. I went there at 9:30 am as requested and had to wait for an hour and a half until they started interrogating me on the same topics. I was released but asked to come back to the headquarter again on Monday 21/4/2014. On Monday, I reached the intelligence headquarter at 9:30 am and had to wait again until 1:00 pm. One of the investigators asked for my journalism ID and my cell phone and when he gave them back to me later on he said: “watch out for yourself and put your hands off stuff that are none of your business”.

6/4 an Israeli settler threw a big stone against the car of the National Relations Commission website chief editor, Zaher Abu Hussein (46 years), while he was driving to Ramallah from Al-Jalazoun refugee camp. Abu Hussein reported to MADA that while AFP Photoghrapher Ahmed Algarabali he was driving near the Israeli control tower of the Bet El settlement near ramallah, an Israeli settler threw a massive stone on his car which hit the rear window and broke it. Abu Hussain added: “I informed the Palestinian police and the Palestinian military liaison office, and they informed the Israeli military liaison office.”

7/4 Al-Quds.com correspondent, Muhannad Al-Adam, received a direct murder threat via phone after he shared a photo of an Israeli settlements product that he took while covering a conference held by the Consumer Protection Association to announce Al-Quds Heritage and Creativity Festival 2014 in Arram town, north Jerusalem, on Monday 7/4/2014.Al-Adam reported to MADA that while he was covering the conference he noticed that the catering contained Israeli settlements products so he took a photo of it which he published on Al-Quds.comwith a full report on settlements goods. Al-Adam added: “After publishing the report, I got a phone call from a person called A’hed Qanam who cursed me and threatened to murder me. I don’t know if it’s his real name but I am sure that this person is sent by an

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 43 official party. The undersecretary of the ministry of Jerusalem Affairs denied what I’ve published in my report in her facebook page, and said that it’s a fabricated story, which can be considered as libel against me”. Al-Adam pointed out that some people tried to prevent him from publishing the report, claiming that it was offensive to Jerusalem, and later on asked the website to withdraw the report, but the website editors refused.”

12/4 plainclothes officers tried to prevent Filisteen Al Yom TV staff, Jihad Barakat (correspondent) and Hussni Abduljalil (cameraman), from covering activists protesting against an Indian dance show at Al-Qassaba theatre in Ramallah because this group had performed the same show in Tel Aviv. Barakat reported to MADA that he went to cover the show, which was supposed to start at 8:00 pm, and at around 8:30 the protests started. Four people were arrested. Barakat added: “While we were filming this event, one of the security officers in plainclothes attacked us and hit and took by force our video camera. I then went inside the theater and continued filming with my own cell phone. Ramallah governorate Ms. Laila Ghannam was there and promised me that we will get the camera back.” Barakat added: “When I went out to look for my colleague, two of the security forces attacked me and accused me of instigating the protests because I was filming. One of them pinched my arm and the other one put his palm on my face to threaten me but he didn’t hit me. At that moment, two men in plainclothes introduced themselves as members of the security forces and protected me. The lieutenant colonel Ashraf Motlaq, from Ramallah’s Police Public Relations office gave me back the camera without deleting any recording.”

12/4 journalist Saher Al-Aqra’ received an anonymous threatening letters warning him not to work with the journalists syndicate in Ramallah. One of these letters read: “We warn you not to deal or work with the syndicate of the corrupted ‘Journalists’ of Ramallah’s authorities. You have a baby girl, do you want to see her growing or to become an orphan??? We won’t send you other letters but will react with acts.”

13/4 Journalist Oruba Othman, who worked at Al-Ra’i agency - that belongs to Hamas - received threats of punitive actions after she published a report in the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar on 3/4/2014 about how the security forces officers give Friday’s sermons in military uniform.Othman reported to MADA that on 3rd April 2014 “I published my report titled “Gaza’s security officers are preachers in Gaza’s mosques” in The Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper, then Iyad Albazamthe Spokesman of the Hamas Ministry of Interior posted on his facebook that “ the report is full of lies”, then I was exposed to libel allegations against me as well as threatening letters sent to my facebook, and someone called “Raed Abu Jarad” from the Ministry of Interior who commented on a post I made on facebook saying that I “spit in the plate

44 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary I eat from” because I work as part of a project in the Government media center, as well as other threats byanonymous people”.

Othman added:“In response to the report, I was informed by the Legal Affairs that my contract at the government media center will not be renewed, which is considered punitive procedures against me, and the Ministry of Interior submitted a complaint against me and that there will be a law suit against me by the public prosecutor”. She mentioned that The Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper had published a clarification that the introduction to the report which says (slowly fascism makes its way to Gaza, after a number of bizarre laws imposed by Hamas ...... ) was added by the editor of newspaper.

14/4 the Israeli occupation forces detained WAFA staff, Hudaifa Srour (photographer), Yazan Taha (correspondent) and Fadi Kifaya (driver), while they were heading to Nabi Saleh village to cover the peaceful demonstration organized by the villagers against the closure of the village’s entrance by the Israeli forces. Srour reported to MADA that while his colleagues and himself were driving in the main street at around 3:30 pm, the Israeli soldiers attacked their car and stopped them. Srour added: “They treated us as if we entered a military camp, they took our IDs and got us out of the car to inspect it, they also took the equipment from the car and threw it on the ground, and broke the driver’s private cell phone. They forced us to bow on our knees while shouting at us “Where are you going?”. They also cursed us using bad and vulgar words. One of them pointed his gun at my forehead because I couldn’t stay on my knees, and when I explained that it was because of my health condition, he told me to “Shut up” in Hebrew. Hudaifa continued: “After almost half an hour of detention, they asked the correspondent and I to leave the place by walking, and threatened us to shoot at us if we didn’t obey. At the same time the driver was detained with our equipment until 7:00 pm.

20/4 the Israeli occupation forces attacked the journalists Diala Jweihan (Al- Quds.net correspondent), Wael Salayme (Al-Jazeera cameraman), Mahfouz Abu Turk (AP photographer), Muna Qawasme (Al-Quds newspaper’s correspondent and photographer) and Sa’eed Al-Qaq (freelancer photojournalist) while they were covering the settlers’ attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Jweihan reported to MADA that she went with her colleagues to cover the settlers’ assault that started at 8:00 am on Sunday 20/4/2014 but the soldiers attacked all the journalists that were there. The photojournalist Sa’eed Al-Qaq (28 years) was hit by stick on his back which made him fall to the ground. He was later transported to Al-Maqased hospital, the medics found that he had some bruises on his body. Wael Salayme and Mahfouz Abu Turk were pushed while they were standing on a high place to film the soldiers

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 45 while checking women’s IDs. One Israeli soldier pushed Salayme and forced him and Abu Turk to lay down. Al-Qawame was pushed away by the Israeli forces as well. Jweihan added: “I faced two violations on the same day, the first one was while I was photographing a settler teasing Palestinian citizens. When a soldier came and put his hand on my camera, I pushed the soldier to defend me and my job. Then the settler shouted louder demanding the Israeli soldier to arrest me. The second violation was while I was photographing the IDF violations against the citizens, where one soldier attacked me and tried to arrest me, but two men held him and stopped him from arresting me. The soldier told me that photography was forbidden. I replied that I am a journalist and I am doing my job. I showed him my journalist ID and he apologized to me.”

22/4 the Israeli occupation authorities prevented Al-Aqsa TV correspondent, Suhaib Al-Asa (27 years) from traveling through Al-Karama crossing to attend Palestine Media Forum’s conference in Turkish city Istanbul. Al-Asa reported to MADA that he had received an invitation from the organizers to attend the conference but when he reached the Israeli checkpoint, the Israeli intelligence services summoned him and prevented him from traveling. Al-Asa added: “then a soldier told me that I was banned from traveling, and asked me to wait until he brings my bags and papers to go back home. I had to wait for four hours and a half until they gave me my bags back.”

22/4 the Israeli occupation forces attacked Abdulhafiz Al-Hashlamoon (ABA photographer) while he was covering the clashes between Hebron university students and the occupation army in Hebron.Al-Hashlamoon reported to MADA that one soldier deliberately threw a teargas bomb at him and injured his left leg. Al-Hashlamoon added: “The injury was deep and from a close distance (around 10-15 meters), I was transferred to Hebron hospital for treatment.”

24/4 the Israeli occupation authorities sent a letter to Wattan TV in Ramallah city demanding that it immediately stop broadcasting, or otherwise face actions. Wattan TV’s general manager, Moammar Orabi, reported to MADA that he feared a raid of the TV headquarter by the occupation forces, but stressed that he would not stop the broadcasting since the TV is officially licensed by the Palestinian ministry of Communications and IT and the broadcasting frequencies are legal. Orabi added: “We brought experts in the field of frequencies and they assured us that the frequencies do not pose a threat to Israeli security as they claim, their allegations are incorrect, and their goal is to obstruct the Palestinian media institutions from functioning, which constitutes an infringement of freedom of expression.”

46 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 25/4 the Israeli occupation forces injured the photographer of Anadolu Turkish news agency, Ma’ath Mish’al, in his legs while he was covering the weekly peaceful demonstration in Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah. Mish’al reported to MADA that the IOF threw a box containing 12 metal bullets covered with rubber toward him. Mish’al added: “I was deliberately shot at from a very close distance by one Israeli soldier. 10 bullets hit me in my left leg and two in my right leg.” Mish’al was transferred to Ramallah hospital for treatment.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 47 Details of Violations

MAY

4/5 Palestinian Intelligence service summoned Khaled Maali , freelance journalists, for interrogation on Sunday-4/5/2014. Maali told MADA that he received telephone call at 09:30 am , from Palestinian Intelligence officer telling to come to their headquarters next day .Maali said :” I went to their headquarters in Salfet in the following day . I waited there for an hour before the beginning of the interrogation, which lasted an hour. The interrogation was about my professional work and the articles I write , and they asked me the same questions during the previous interrogations”. Maal added that he thinks the interrogation came as a result of writing news about the Israeli occupation intention to build a cemetery for settlers in Arael settlement north Salfet. He was interrogated about the source of this information, and they released him after signing a pledge to come to their headquarters upon their request.

5/5 Israeli occupation authorities detained the chief of media department in public relations section in the Lebanese Al-Safeer newspaper, Majdeleen Husoneh. Husoneh told MADA that she participated in media conference in Istanbul city –Turkey, and when she came back and arrived the Israeli borders at 09:00 am. Israeli occupation Authorities confiscated her passport, and an officer asked her to look for her bags since they want to inspect them. Husoneh added :” After inspecting carefully my bags and mobile phones , I was entered to an investigation room ; the questions were about my j professional work, especially about the prisoners and my relations with them , in addition to inquiring me about the conference. The interrogative officer suspected in reasons of my participation, accusing me that I went “to meet terrorists”. They told me that I am under detention; however, they released me later. The detention starts at 09:00 am till 04:00pm.

11/5 IOF detained a number of journalists while they were taking photos for an Israeli officer while he was inspecting citizens in Al-Khader village in Bait Lahem. Pal Media Agency’s Cameraman , Samer Hamad , 24 years old , told MADA that his colleague, Ahmad Mezhar, Wafa Agency’s photographer , had phoned him telling him” that he is detained by Israeli occupation soldiers and they inspect citizens . He went there with Bait Lahem TV’s cameraman, Mhousen Ammar, and Al-Quds. com photographer, Abed Alrahman Younes. When they arrived the Israeli occupation soldiers detained them for a short period of time and erased the picture they took. He added:” After the beginning of the clashes between Israeli soldiers and citizens they released us.”

48 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 15/5 In Gaza Strip , Hamas security apparatus attacked a group of journalists ,verbally and physically, while they were covering Al-Nakba memorial events near the Israeli Nahel Aouz barrier on Thursday 15/5/2014.Royters agency ‘s cameraman ,Mohammed Jadallah ,told MADA that he was accompanying his collogues at 01:00pm beside the barrier to cover the activities of the march when the protesters approached the border fence ; therefore , a security officer prevented them to approach , but they didn’t responds and continued approaching. Mr.Jadallah added:” Security forces blackjacked the protesters. Although we were carrying cameras and wearing journalist shields, we were attacked physically and verbally without giving reasons. Mamood Abd l Kareem, freelance journalist, 23, told MADA that security forces attacked journalists and cursed them, Abel Kareem was beaten with batons while he was trying to protect his colleague Naser Rahme. He also said that the security forces pushed the journalist Momen Qaraqe whose legs were amputated since he was injured by Israeli occupation forces during their aggression on Gaza in 2008 . They told him literally:” you were shelled by Israelis, and we will kill you. “.

16/5 Israeli occupation forces attacked Al-Haya al Jadeda’s photographer, Esam Al-Rimwai , and tried to prevent journalists to cover the clashes happened near Ofar barrier after the two martyrs funeral killed in the revival of al-Nakba 66 memorial events. Mr. Al-Rimwai told MADA that while he and his colleagues were covering the events, Israeli soldiers approached near them, shouted at them, and they were ordered to leave the place. Al-Rimawi added: “Since we did not obey their orders, they started to fire gas and sound canisters towards us, suffocating my freelance photographer colleague, Abed Al-Kareem Musteef. Therefore, my colleagues hurried to provide help, and I went to bring the ambulance. I went to an area far away from protesters and clashes. I heard an Israeli officer said in Arabic to an I Israeli soldier: “shoot fire at him”, however, he didn’t respond from the first time, but the soldier responded the second time while I was filming my colleague Musteef. He fired a rubber bullet towards me, so I was injured in my left arm.” The bullet caused a lot of bruises and injures in his arm, and he received a medical treatment by a medical staff existed there.

17/5 three persons raided Al-Ayyam newspaper reporter ‘s office , Attef Abu Al- Rob , 50 years old, and attacked him after he had published a message on Watan Al- Anba website directed to the minister of legal governance about Jenin municipality. Abu Al-Rob told MADA, after three hours of publishing the message, three people (he knows them but he doesn’t like to show their ID) attacked him inside his office and interrogated him about the publishing of the message, but he expelled them out of the office. Abu Al-Rob added:” Since they did not understand the message in a proper way, it was understood wrongly, they apologized for him later. The ministry of local

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 49 governance dealt seriously with this subject and the expressed that they are ready to solve this problem even if they are compelled to transfer it to prosecution, but I refused and I wisely solved it.

21/5 IOF detained two members of Roya TV crew whom are: Momen Shabanah , cameraman , and Zaina Sandoka ,correspondent, while they were covering repeated settlers violations on the citizens of the old city in Jerusalem and preparing a report on this .Shabana told MADA that when they arrived there , Israeli settlers tried to prevent filming there ,and a settler forcibly tried take the camera. However, when he did not allow him to take the camera, the Israeli settler threatened him to call police and intelligence services. Shabaneh added:” Then, Israeli police and intelligence service came and accused us that we were filming without an official permission. They inspected the camera and erased all the positions in which the settler appeared at, and then we were allowed to leave.” When they walked, 20 soldiers followed them and stopped them another time. Shabaneh said:” They told us that we were arrested since the settler filed an official complaint against us. They took the camera and stopped me on the wall .They confiscated my colleague Sandoka’s hand bag, and we were taken to Al-kashlah police office in the old city. We waited in the interrogation room until Israeli officer came and asked us about the subject, so I told him the whole story. He demanded me to sign on my statement in order to release me; however, when I asked him to give me a hand writing releasing permission, he refused and told me the investigation was recorded.

21/5 Hamas internal security forces summoned Tawfeek Abu Jarad , freelance journalist , 32 years old , for interrogations . Abu Jarad told MADA that he received a phone call from the internal security in order to go to their headquarters on Wednesday at 09:00 am. When he arrived there on time, his ID, wallet and belt were confiscated, and he entered the interrogation room an hour later. Abu Jarad added :” They accused me in different charges such as : working with Palestinian public TV and news websites which belong to FATEH ,Inciting against Gaza government via “Facebook” and working with politically directed media. They also interrogated me about my relation with both marshal Abed Al-Fatah Al -Sisi since I praised him, while I was delivering a speech organized by the journalist syndicate in Egypt, and Mohammed Dahlan.”Abu –Jarad said that he was physically tortured, obliged me to stand against the wall, during the interrogation since its beginning till 09:00pm, and also he was compelled to raise his hands for four hours. They compelled him to give them the password of his facebook account, and ordered his brother to bring his personal camera and computer. Security force asked Abu-Jarad to come back to their headquarters next day, and they interrogated him about the same subjects. He was released at 03:00pm and all of his possessions were given to him.

50 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 28/5 Israeli occupation forces raided Al-Ayyam company for press printing and publishing headquarters in Ramallah, West Bank. The financial and administrative director of “Felesteen” daily newspaper, Haitham Al-Sak, told MADA that eight armored vehicles encircled Al-Ayyam offices on Tuesday night without confiscating copies or vandalizing premises. Al-Sak explained that on 10th May 2014 Al-Ayyam had received an oral warning from the Occupation forces asking to halt instantly the printing of the newspaper, but Al-Ayyam’s administration refused, objecting that it received instructions only from the concerned Palestinian ministries according to the Palestinian law, and not from forces of occupation. However, Al-Ayyam continued the printing and distribution of the of today copy of the newspaper.

Al–Ayyam said in its statement that an Israeli occupation force raided their headquarters on Wednesday at dawn. An Israeli army officer informed Al-Ayyam’s that the order was motivated by the incitements against Israel presumably contained in the three Gaza newspapers printed by Al-Ayyam, i.e. “Felesteen”, “Al-Resala” and “Al-Estiklal”. The printing of these newspapers in the West Bank had resumed a few weeks ago in the framework of a new national reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah allowing West Bank newspapers to be distributed in Gaza Stip. The Israeli occupation authorities threatened Al-Ayyam that it would take strict measures to prevent the printing of these newspapers.

28/5 IOF closed the roads which lead to Hebron city until the ending of settlers rally bicycles March between Keriyat Arbba settlement and Goush Atsion settlement; This action impeded a journalist tour arrival to Beit Ommaar and Al-Zaherya village organized by the Ministry of information. Nida Younes, director of the Journalism Office at the Ministry, told MADA that the tour bus used another bypass road, from Beit Fajar and Al-Aroub refugee camp, but it was also closed. After eventually reaching Beit Ommar, and in particular the land of Ibrahim Ibregeeth, which was restored to him after 12 years of struggle in the Occupation’s courts, the Israeli army got near the media delegation and prevented the bus from parking in front of the land under the pretext that it was considered a settlement land. Younes added that the organizers decided to leave the place to ensure the safety of the nearly 45 journalists, males and females, from various local and Arab media outlets, and also because the Israeli forces had threatened the bus driver that he would pay a fine if he parked the bus.

28/5 A group of journalists was exposed to a verbal abuse by an employee of American Agency of International Development, USAID, in Jerico city during their note directions on Spring Festival organized by the American Agency in Jerico during this year. Palestinian Public TV director in Jericho, Monzer Al-Khateeb, told MADA that he and his friends went to cover Hisham Palace Museum Inaugurations and

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 51 the press conference on this inaugurations After the minister of tourism and agency officer had delivered there statements, the audience including journalist had the right to view their notes. While the journalists were providing there notes, the agency officer was not satisfied. Al-Khateeb added:” during the side talks between them, an agency employee told his colleague literally:”Give the journalists a bone to shut up”; his colleague opened her bag and said ironically:” A large bone or a small one? “. Al- Khateeb added:”I caught his shoulders and told him why you are saying such thing. ; it’s an insult against us .Then, all journalist gathered in the place and left it, protesting on the rude behavior”. In his statement Al-Khateeb indicated that journalist did not receive calls by agency employees to apologies for them. They received only a phone call from the minister of tourism who apologized for journalists and told them:”We will not be silent on this inglorious behavior.” Journalists submitted official complaints to Jericho governor.

28/5 Israeli occupation soldiers and settlers attacked Diala Jwejan ,Al-Quds Net agency photographer and correspondent , twice during their covering for a march organized by Israeli settlers in the memorial of “Uniting Jerusalem “ on Wednesday 28/5/2014. Jweelan told MADA that the first assault happened at about 12:00pm; settlers tried to take her camera during the covering of Palestinian youths arresting in the old city of Jerusalem. In addition, filming them while they were saying racist words such as “death to Arabs”. The second assault occurred at 04:30pm while she was covering another settlers march. Jweelan said that Israeli occupation police chased all journalists and ordered them to show their Palestinian journalism ID which was not accepted by Israeli occupation since they are Palestinian. A number of journalism colleagues were attacked by beating and pushing whom are : the cameraman of Al- Ordon TV ,Rami Al-Khateeb, whom was beaten and then detained till 11:30 pm and Al-Miaden TV staff, Hana Mahameed , correspondent ,and Ayman Abu Ramouz ,cameraman, whom were attacked verbally , by racist ejaculations , and were pushed by Israeli settlers “.

The correspondent of Felsteen Alyaoum TV , Ahmad Al-Bodeeri , told MADA that settlers incited all journalists , beaten and pushed them in the front of the eyes of the police who did nothing. He added:” All of us were beaten ; the assault was more cruel at 07:30 pm when the journalist received killing threats by settlers . In addition , they were throwing metal bars and glasses at us , and the journalists whom were attacked like this are: Ramasat staff : the cameraman Adel Abed Al-Qader and the technician Waleed Matar, Palestinian public TV staff :the correspondent Nader Paepirs and the cameraman Abdullah Al-Nathseh, the correspondent of PalMedia Sari Al-Nashabi , and the engineering technician of Al-Jazeera TV Nader Saleeba .”

52 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary (29/5): Palestinian intelligence service summoned Mohammed Ishtawi, the program presenter of Al-Aqsa TV, for interrogation in Tulkarem city on Thursday 29/5/2014.Shtawi told MADA that he was summoned to go to Palestinian intelligence headquarters in Tulkarem after recording live events in a protest solidarity tent ,supporting prisoners in Israeli jails . When he went there at about 12:00pm, they interrogated him about different things such as: his work with the Al-Aqsa TV , his journalism activities and the time he spent in Malaysia where he went to complete his graduate studies. Shtawi added:”I was released by external pressures at 12:00 am, but they confiscated my ID and my driving license and was asked to comeback after two days. On Saturday , they interrogated me from 10:00 am till 04:00pm about the same topics, and they told me to come to their headquarters next Saturday 7/6/2014 to take my ID and to interrogate me for the last time , as they promised me.”.

(31/5) Israel occupation forces attacked a group of journalists and detained one of them while they were covering a popular resistance march supporting prisoners On Saturday 31/5/2014. The photographer of Alquds.com, Abed Al-Rahman Younes, 28, told MADA that Israeli soldiers deliberately targeted journalists that day. For example, the camera man of Associated Press, Iyad Hamad,was pushed , and his place was taken by an Israeli soldiers without ordering him to be far away from this place. Other colleagues who existed in the same place were beaten and cursed whom are : the photographer of Bait lahem agency , Muhasen Ammar , the photographer of Al- Anadol agency ,Mammon Wazooz , and the photographer of France Press ,Hazem Bader .Younes added :”An Israeli soldier kicked violently and forcibly me in the back ,so I cursed him . Therefore, five soldiers attacked me and put their hands on my eyes, they transferred me from Al-Aroub refugee camp to Itsion settlement crossroad and they cursed me all the time. I had bruises in my back, neck and hands.

The photo of the journalist Abd Al- Rahman Younes (By Mamoun Wazwaz)

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 53 Details of Violations

JUNE

1/6 Dubai TV correspondent Bassam Al-Madhoun was attacked and robbed by unknown individuals while he was walking in Gaza. Al-Madhoun reported to MADA that he was walking in a street adjacent to Al-Azhar University, in Gaza city, at around 9:00 pm when two unknown individuals attacked him from behind and stole his laptop. Al-Madhoun added that the previous day he had written comments on his Facebook page criticizing some actions of the government in Gaza but that he did not know if the assault was related to that. He noticed that the attackers did not try and steal his wallet and cell phone.

Al-Madhoun also reported that he had submitted an official complaint to the police and is waiting for the results of the investigation.

4/6 some policemen tried to prevent journalists from covering a sit-in in front of the UN headquarters in Ramallah, organized to urge the organization to take action to preserve the lives of the Palestinian administrative detainees in hunger strike. Wattan TV cameraman, Ahmad Melhim, reported to MADA that the journalists and photographers were prevented from covering the sit-in, that the police tried to push them away from the place. He explained that one of the policemen pushed him and threatened him by saying that he would beat him if he did not leave the place. Melhim stayed and continued his work.

5/6 the IOF assaulted 4D Media Production correspondent, Elia Abu Gharbiye, while she was covering a demonstration of solidarity with administrative detainees in hunger strike and commemorating “Al-Naksa” near Qalandya checkpoint.Abu Gharbiya reported to MADA that while covering the demonstration, an Israeli soldier deliberately threw a sound grenade at her but the grenade hit the wall and rebounded against her shoulder, causing some bruises in her shoulder.

5/6 Gaza policemen tried to prevent Sawt Al-sha’b radio station’s correspondent, Mahmoud Allouh, from making interviews with governmental employees in Al- Nuseirat area in the Gaza Strip. Allouh reported to MADA that the internal security was preventing Palestinian Authority employees from getting their salaries at the ATM machine in Al-Nuseirat because the government in Gaza was not able to pay the Hamas governmental employees in Gaza. Allouh added that while he was making an interview with the employees, the policemen came near him and seized his phone and ID. They also asked him about the reasons why he was in the area and Allouh replied that he is a journalist and showed them his professional card. They did not

54 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary listen to him and prevented him from continuing his work. The police received order to give back Allouh’s phone and ID, which they did after half an hour.

5/6 Gaza policemen assaulted Al-Watan radio station correspondent Yousif Hammad while he was covering the salary crisis in the Gaza Strip. Hammad reported to MADA that the episode took place at around 11:15 am near a branch of Palestine Bank in Jabalya, where he was making live interviews for the morning program about the salary crisis, with the employees showing their resentment and complaining about the situation. Seven policemen assaulted him and hit him with cudgels and guns butts. He added that he was hit directly on his head, causing him to faint. When he woke up he found himself inside the police vehicle. He was brought to the police station in Jabalya and on the way the policemen harassed him verbally. When they reached the police station, an officer, who happened to be one of his brother’s friends, recognized him and placed him in a private room where he was well treated. However, the policemen threatened him telling that he might be executed for sedition, and accused PA employees of being traitors. After an hour and a half he was released. Hammad then went to Al-Shifa’ hospital where he was diagnosed with a contussion in the head, a fissure in his right foot, and bruises on his hands and left arm.

5/6 the Palestinian security forces in Tulkarem assaulted Al-Aqsa TV cameraman, Ahmad Al-Khatib, and severely beat him while he was covering a demonstration for female relatives of political prisoners in front of the intelligence service headquarter. Al-Khatib reported to MADA that while he was opening his camera to start filming, one of the security forces in plain clothes came close to him and told him that he is not allowed to film. Al-Khatib told him that he is a journalist, but the security did not listen to him and tried to seize his camera. As Al-Khatib fought back a number of security officials attacked him and severely beat him on his neck, chest and head. He was then dragged away to be arrested but the women stopped the officers. Later on one of them asked him to leave the place, which he did. His camera was confiscated.

6/6 the Israeli occupation forces raided the place where the program “Sabah Al- Khair Ya Quds” [Good Morning Jerusalem] was being filmed, and forced the staff to stop broadcasting. They arrested the program director, Nadir Paipers, the cameraman of Pal Media agency Ashraf Al-Shweeki, and one of the guests, claiming that the program is not licensed and incites against the Israeli occupation.

The director of the program, Mai Abu Asab, reported to MADA that the Israeli occupation forces raided the headquarters of the studio in Jerusalem, where the program was being recorded and broadcasted live, telling them to immediately stop filming. They arrested her colleagues Paipers and Shweeki whom were released after an hour and a half of interrogation. Abu Asab added that the accusations against the

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 55 program - that it is illegal, not licensed and inciting against Israeli occupation - are not true at all since they have been broadcasting for five years through Pal Media Company which is licensed in the city. Mai said also that Israelis told her colleagues that a complaint will be submitted against the program’s direction later.

6/6 the Israeli forces assaulted and severely beat the freelance photojournalist Hamdi Abu Rahma while he was covering the weekly demonstration in Bil’in village west of Ramallah, erasing all the photos in his camera and breaking the lens. Abu Rahme reported to MADA that while he was taking photos of the demonstration, Israeli soldiers approached him and ordered him to stop taking photos and give them his camera. When Abu Rahma refused, 6 Israeli soldiers attacked him, severely beat him, pointed a gun towards his head, and took his camera forcibly. Abu Rahme added that the beating was violent, with use of hands and guns butts. All the photos camera taken by his freelance colleague Haitham Al-Khateeb were deleted.

7/6 the Palestinian intelligence service in Tulkarem summoned again Al-Aqsa program presenter Mohammad Ishtiwi for interrogation. An investigation on his work with Al-Aqsa TV had took place on 29/5/2014. After the interrogation he was given back his ID which had been kept since the previous investigation, and then released. Ishtiwi added that this time he was treated very well. The interrogation lasted from 10:00 am till 12:30 pm.

8/6 at around midnight, the preventive security forces raided and searched the house of freelance journalist Abdullah Abu Rjeile in Ramallah city. Abu Rjeile reported to MADA that his personal laptop, cell phone and ID were seized. He was handed over a summons to go to their headquarters the next day. He went there at 10:00 am, he had to wait for one hour before being interrogated for an hour. He was then detained for 3 hours before being interrogated. The investigation focused on the photo exhibition that was held in solidarity with the prisoners in May, in addition to photocopying books for university students 3 years ago. Abu Rjeile added that in total the investigation lasted for 27 hours approximately. When he was eventually released, his ID and cell phone were returned to him - after searching it and questioning about all the phone numbers and messages it contained - but not his laptop. The device was supposed to be given back to him the following day, but have not been so to the moment of writing of this report.

11/6 the Palestinian security forces assaulted and humiliated a large group of journalists who were covering a sit-in organized by female Hamas activists against the political detention of Hamas members at Al-Manara square in Ramallah. The assaulted

56 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary journalists were Hadi Al-Dibbs (Filistin Al-Yaum TV cameraman), Muhammad Jaradat (producer), FirasTannina (Maan TV correspondent), Ali Daraghma (Watan TV chair editor), Ahmad Milhim (cameraman), Anas Abu Arqoub (Palestine TV cameraman), Sa’id Hawari (Reuters photographer), Muath Amarne (Trance Media’ cameraman), and Muath Mashaal (Al-Nadul agency photographer). The journalists reported to MADA that the following took place:

• Hadi Al-Dibbs told MADA that plainclothes security forces attacked and punched him, then tried to seize his camera and prevented him from taking photos. He also reported having injuries on his face.

•Muhammad Jaradat reported to MADA that while he was taking photos from his office overlooking Al-Manara square, security forces suddenly raided his office, tried to take his camera, and then took him to the police station. He was released after a short while. He added that his colleague Anas Abu Arqoub was also detained and then released, and that Sa’ed Huwari was also attacked.

• Firas Tannina reported that the security forces were beating the journalists violently and seizing their cameras. He reported that when he tried to calm them down, saying that they were journalists and ought to be treated with respect, they hit him. He added that he suffers from severe pain in his right arm and has received medical treatment from the Red Crescent.

• Ali Daraghma indicated that while he was covering the demonstration with his colleague Ahmad Milhim, the security forces tried to hit Milhim and to detain him but Daraghma tried to stop them but they hit him in the chest and he suffered from pain in the thorax.

• Muath Amarne reported that the security forces attacked him and hit him with their hands and cudgels. They also broke his camera. He added that he was later on brought to the police station where he received a fair treatment. He has filed an official complaint against the aggressor. He reported several bruises in his face and neck, and pains in different parts of his body.

• Sa’ed Al-Huwwari reported to MADA that the security forces hit and cursed him, and that his camera was partially broken.

11/6 the Israeli forces attacked a number of journalists while they were covering a demonstration of solidarity with hunger-striker prisoners in front of the Israeli prison Ofer, near Ramallah. AP photographer Majdi Ishtayye, reported to MADA that the Israeli forces dispersed the demonstrators, expelled the protesters and threw stun grenades, targeting journalists in particular. Eshtayeh added that the soldiers threw a

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 57 grenade at his colleague Imad Eslim which caused injuries and burns on his right foot, preventing him from walking for 15 minutes. Later, the IOF sprayed wastewater on the journalists, damaging their equipment, even though they knew they were journalists. Among the victims were: Al-Ghad TV staff Dia’ Hushiya, and Monther cameraman and France Press photographer Abbad Momani and Muaz Amarneh. The latter reported that special security forces violently attacked him by hands and blackjacks, and broke his camera. Then, they transferred him to the police station where he received a fair treatment. He filed an official complaint against the perpetrators. He said he has sustained bruises in the face and neck, and suffers from pains in other parts of his body.

13/6 Israeli occupation forces attacked three journalists while they were covering Bil’in weekly march. The cameraman of France Press Abbas Mumni told MADA that journalists were standing far away from protesters and Israeli occupation forces. However, three Israeli soldiers who were stationed above the separation wall fired rubber coated steel bullets and sound canisters directly at them. One of these bullets hit the bag carrying his camera lenses and memory cards. Mumni added that his bag was damaged, two memory cards and his press ID were broken. His colleague, the cameraman of Palestinian Public TV Shamekh Al-Jagoup was injured in the abdomen by a gas canister he was treated in the place by an ambulance crew. The cameraman Haitham Khateeb said that a soldier fired directly a gas canister at him only because he is journalist. He was injured in the leg and sustained slight burns.

13/6 a number of Israeli security forces attacked the cameraman Mu’mar Awad while he was covering clashes in Jerusalem. He told MADA that he was severely blackjacked, was dragged away from the journalist group, and then transferred to a hospital to receive treatment. He sustained bruises all over his body and a fracture in one of his ribs.

16/6 the Israeli occupation forces attacked the cameraman of PalMedia, Amer Abdin, and confiscated his camera while he was covering the blockade of Quasmi’s house in Hebron. He told MADA that he was on live broadcasting of that event through Al-Maiadin TV with his colleagues journalist Nisrin Salma and cameraman Abed Al-Ghani Al-Natsha when an Israeli soldier fired a sound canister at him. Then four soldiers approached him and two of them attacked him. They tried to confiscate his camera and broke it. Abdin added that he suffered light injury and that his camera was returned to him when the chief officer arrived. However, the Israeli army prevented them from coverage and ordered them to leave the place or be detained.

58 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 17/6 the Israeli Occupation forces arrested the director of Al-Aqsa TV, Aziz Kayed, at 01:30 am in the West Bank. His daughter Maryam told MADA: that an Israeli patrol came to their house and interrogated her father about his family members for an hour and a half. Then they arrested him and brought him to Ofar prison, afterwards he was sentenced six months administrative detention.

17/6 the Israeli occupation forces prevented the cameraman of quds.com Abed Al-Rahamn Younes to cover a traffic jam caused by Israeli occupation forces near the Container chekpoint in the West Bank. Younes told MADA that while he was covering the traffic crisis Israeli soldiers approached him, cursed him, confiscated his camera, and erased all the pictures he had taken. They also threatened him that he would be arrested and his camera broken if he recorded the events another time.

18/6 the Israeli occupation forces raided Trance Media premises in Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus, and confiscated all equipment. Trance Media’s owner and chairman, Amer al-Ja’abary, reported to MADA that the Israeli occupation forces confiscated equipment around a million dollars’ worth. The company’s headquarters contains state-of-the-art cameras and broadcasting equipment since the company provides media services for ten international, Arabic and local TV stations. The company is unable to continue its work in the coming days because of the lack of equipment. Al- Jabary added that the occupation patrols were accompanied by huge 4X4 Jeep that carried all the equipment (see video here).

18/6 Israeli occupation forces arrested the cameraman of Ajial radio network, Yehya Habayib, while he was covering different military operations launched by Israeli occupation forces in Hebron. Yehya Habayib reported to MADA that while he was covering events in the Aqabet Taffouh area, an Israeli soldier asked him to stop filming while the army was searching a store. He immediately stopped. Later on, Habayib started taking photos of the store and making interviews with the people in the neighborhood. He also tried to interview the soldier but he seized his two cellular phones and his camera, then cuffed his hands, blindfolded him and dragged him to an unknown area. Habayib added that they walked for around half an hour and then he was seated in a military vehicle for another half an hour, later they took him to a place that he figured out later was a house under renovations. They punched him and humiliated him all the way long, and when they arrived at the house, one of the soldiers removed his blindfold and told him: “I will let you hear a sound that you will like a lot,” and he started breaking his two cell phones, the camera and the memory cards. Habayib was brought again to an unknown area between Taffouh and Halhoul, north of Hebron, taken out of the military vehicle and told to manage by himself. Habayib added that his detention lasted from 3 am to 8 am.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 59

19/6 Palestinian police officers attacked the photographer of Fellesteen Alyawm local Agency, Daoud Nimer Abu Kaas(22years old), in the Gaza Strip while he was covering an event organized besides the United Nations headquarters to support hunger-striker administrative detainees. Abu Kaas told MADA that a police officer prevented him from filming. While he asked him about the reasons, stressing that he was a journalist, the officer responded: “ hell with journalism, it’s a trivial thing.” Abu Kaas added that they confiscated his ID and accused him of filming for non-journalistic purposes. Then another police officer came, shouted at him and cursed him loudly and humiliated him. He hit him and broke his camera. Abu Kaas said that he refused to go to police headquarters in a police car and preferred going by himself. There he discovered that the previous officer had filed a complaint against him.

20/6 a group of Palestinian security forces attacked journalists and prevented them from covering a march organized by Hamas to support hunger-striker prisoners in Israeli jails after the Friday prayers in Hebron. The cameraman of Reuters Yousri Al- Jaml told MADA that Palestinian security forces dispersed the march, and all journalists were prevented from covering the events. CNN’s crew and Pal Media cameraman Yousef Shahin were attacked. The correspondent of CNN, Pen Wedenan, told MADA that a plainclothes security officer ordered to take the camera of his colleague Kareem Khader. He added that while they were trying to take back the confiscated camera, security forces pulled back forcibly and the camera was broken to two parts. Security forces also pushed them and shouted at them. The correspondent of Al- Quds TV Mamdouh Hamamra told MADA that the journalists covered the first part of the march without clashes but when security forces tried to disperse protesters, they attacked the journalists to prevent them from covering what was going on, I saw them when they attacked Shahin and they prevent photographers Hazem Bader and Eyad Hamad from covering.

21/6 the Israeli occupation forces raided Palmedia’s headquarters in Al-Balou’ area in albireh city, near Ramallah. The premises host other media outlets such as Al-Quds TV, Russia Today TV, and Kuwait TV. The IOF seized the electronic storage devices and broke some equipment. Russia TV chief deputy editor Mohammed Hassan told MADA that the TV demanded Israeli occupation forces to explain the reasons of what they did. At first, the Israeli army said that their target was Al-Quds TV and that they had believed mistakenly that Al-Aqsa TV was located in the same building. Then they said that they were targeting PalMedia company headquarters since it cooperates with Hamas. Hassan declared that in addition to material losses - the breaking of furniture,

60 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary computers and three doors, and the confiscation of 15 hard disks and 50 films - the intangible losses were important.

22/6 the Israeli occupation forces raided Turbo Design Company headquarters in Ramallah where the monthly magazines “Filistin Ashabab” and “This Week in Palestine” are issued, confiscating some of their computers and servers. The managing director of “Filistin Ashabab”, Doha Abu Hijleh, told MADA that the Israeli occupation forces came at around 04:00 am on Sunday morning, confiscated two large-size Mac computers, one PC, a laptop, a hard disk and two servers. She indicated that the administration estimated that the company needs 35,000 USD at least to work effectively again. She added that the company lost all its archives recorded since 1985, which is priceless and cannot be compensated. She also said that it was not the first time that they had suffered abuses from the Israeli occupation forces, which prevented the distribution of “Filistin Ashabab” in the Gaza Strip and confiscated all copies a month ago. They also confiscated copies of the magazine in the Old City of Jerusalem and the distributer was imprisoned in March. In addition, they confiscated copies of the magazine several times at the Karamah crossing, and the company had to stop their distribution to Jordan.

22/6 the Israeli occupation forces prevented journalists from covering a raid on Tulkarem city. Fadi Yassin, the cameraman of Palestinian Public TV, told MADA that Israeli occupation forces prevented all journalists from covering the event, confiscated all the cameras. They gave them back after the journalists talked with the chief officer but were not able to cover anything.

22/6 at around 02:00 am, the Israeli occupation forces raided the house of Sohaib Assa, the cameraman of Al-Aqsa TV in Bethlehem. They inspected his house, told him that he was under arrest, and confiscated his cellular phone, computer and ID. He added that they brought him to Aush Ghorab military camp where he was interrogated for a short time about himself and the three kidnapped settlers. He was released four hours later without his confiscated belongings being returned to him. He filed a complaint to the Military Liaison Office in order to get his things back but did not receive any answer until now.

24/6 Israel occupation forces attacked the cameraman of Palestinian Public TV, Ayyad Hamshaloun, while he was covering the Israeli occupation forces’ raid of house in Hebron, detaining one person. An Israeli soldier approached him and hit the camera with the butt of his rifle, breaking the lens. Hamshaloun added that he moved to another place to film with another camera but Israeli soldiers approached again and

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 61 prevented them from filming. They therefore left the area.

24/6 Israeli occupation forces attacked the cameraman of Palestinian Public TV, Fadi Yassin, while he was covering clashes resulting from the Israeli raid on Tulkarem city-center. Yassin told MADA that it was obvious that Israeli soldiers were targeting journalists to prevent them from covering. At first, they directed searchlights directly on their faces, then fired gas canisters at them. Like some of his colleagues, Yassin departed the area but left his cameras in recording mode on the spot. However, when they returned to change the position of their cameras, the soldiers deliberately fired gas canisters at them. Yassin was injured in the left leg and had to go to Tulkarem governmental hospital to receive treatment.

30/6 a group of Palestinian youth attacked Palestinian Public TV’s car while the crew was covering an Israeli raid in Hebron. Eyyad Hamshaloun, the cameraman of Palestinian public TV, told MADA that while the crew was filming, a group of youths hurled stones at the TV’s car, breaking its windows. They also threw a paint canister at the car. Hamshaloun believe that this attack came as a result of a phone call which Manber AlHoria Radio received two days before from a retired Palestinian colonel inciting to expel all TVcrews from Hebron or, otherwise, they would be attacked and prevented from covering these events. The retired officer claimed that TVs had not covered properly other past events happening in Hebron during the Israeli military campaign in the West Bank.

Photo by Hamza Burnat

62 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Details of Violations

JULY

2/7- The Israeli occupation forces arrested journalist Bushra Al-Taweel, the spokesperson for Aneen Al-Qaid media network, in Albireh/Ramallah city after they raided her house. Her mother reported to MADA: “The IOF raided our house at 1:30 AM, and the Israeli officer said that Bushra was under arrest and had to go with them. After insisting I could collect her personal stuff so that she could take them with her. She added: “The lawyer told us that in the morning Bushra had been presented to the committee in charge of the released people who violate the terms of their release - since Bushra was a released prisoner. Now she is at Hasharon women’s prison near Netanya.”

2/7- The Israeli occupation forces prevented a number of journalists from covering the arrest of their colleague Bushra Al-Taweel in Al-Biereh city, and threw stun grenades at them.

Ro’ya TV’s correspondent, Ahmad Barahme, reported to MADA: “At 2 AM, I headed off with Ro’ya staff to the journalist Bushra Al-Taweel’s house in Um Al-Sharayet neighborhood - Albireh/Ramallah city, after we had heard that the IOF had raided it in order to arrest her. Before reaching the place, we wore our protective journalists’ vest and helmet. And as we got close to the place, the IOF switched on searchlights and laser lights and pointed them into our faces, they also threw a stun grenade at us, pointing with the laser light as a sign to tell us that they will shoot us if we didn’t step back and leave, and they didn’t let us do our work.”

2/7- The Palestinian intelligence service in Bethlehem summoned for investigation Qutayaba Saleh Qassem (26 years old), who supplies Asda’ website with reports and photos. He faced two investigations related to some messages he had posted on his Facebook account. Qassem reported to MADA: “I was called for investigation twice during July, the first time was on 2/7, when the Intelligence agency sent me a notification saying that I should go to their headquarter on the next day at 9 o’clock. When I went, they investigated with me for two hours in a row, and it was all about the posts I publish on my Facebook page, in addition to the place I work at, and for whom I do work, and with whom I might work in the future. They also asked me if I work for Al-Quds TV, and I told them that they have many correspondents, and I am not one of them, and if I were one of them, I wouldn’t deny it. I was released and

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 63 they told me to come back on Wednesday 16/7. I went back on the date they’ve set, I waited for half an hour without being interrogated, no one talked to me, and I was released again without them setting any other dates for investigation”.

2/7- The IOF injured Palestine TV correspondent Kristin Rinawi and cameraman Ali Yassin while they were covering demonstrations in Jerusalem. Rinawi reported to MADA: “Following the kidnapping and torture to death of Mohammad Abu Khdair (16 years old) by Israeli settlers (one of the suspects confessed that they had strangled and burned him), clashes broke out between Palestinians and the IOF in the Shu’fat neighborhood, north of Jerusalem. While we were covering the fierce clashes, with the IOF shooting rubber bullets and stun grenades indiscriminately and intensively, I was injured by a rubber bullet in my right shoulder and my colleague Ali Yassin (23 years old) by a rubber bullet in his left hand. An ambulance drove us to Al-Maqased hospital in Jerusalem, where they made an X-rays and gave us treatment. Overall, our injuries were described as minor since the bones were not injured or hurt.”

6/7- The IOF injured 3 journalists with bullets and grenades while they were covering events in Jerusalem. Falastin Al-Yaum TV’s correspondent, Ahmad Al-Budeiri, reported to MADA: “At around 1:30 AM, while we were broadcasting the live clashes that escalated since the killing of Mohammad Abu Khdair between Palestinians and the IOF in Al-Toor neighborhood in Jerusalem, and while we journalists were standing next to the satellite broadcasting van and were wearing journalists’ safety vest with a ‘Press’ reflective sign on it, the IOF shot stun grenades and percussion grenades at us. One grenade hit me in the stomach, and fragments also hit my journalist colleagues who work at Palmedia: cameraman Ahmad Jaber, who got a fragment in one of his eyes, and technician Waleed Mattar, who was injured in the ear.”

He added: “We were standing in a visible place, and everybody, including the soldiers knew we are journalists, so the intentional targeting was clear. We were close to Al-Maqased hospital and were driven there to get treatment.”

Ahmad Jaber reported to MADA: “After the fragments slightly injured me in my right eye, I was taken to Al-Maqased hospital. Doctors removed the fragment from my eye.”

64 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 6/7- The IOF arrested Al-Aqsa TV’s cameraman, Ahmad Al-Khatib. Al-Khatib’s brother Musa’b reported to MADA: “On my brother’s way from Ramallah to Nablus, on Sunday 6/7, the IOF stopped the car at Za’tara checkpoint, and after checking the identity cards of the passengers, they asked him to step out of the car, and then we’ve lost connection with him. We were later informed by the Israeli Intelligence service that he had been sent to Ofer prison, later he was sentenced to four months of administrative detainee.”

7/7- The house of Palestine TV’s cameraman Mahmoud Al-Athamne was destroyed, and his wife and daughter were injured, when the Israeli airstrikes shelled the house of their neighbors in Khan Younis, south Gaza Strip. Al-Athamne reported to MADA: “On Thursday 7/7, at 1:00 AM, and without any warning, an F-16 shelled our neighbor’s (Mahmoud Al-Hajj) house; there were 8 persons inside. Pieces of the house were projected into my house and as a result my house’s walls and ceilings collapsed, it was a complete destruction of our house. My wife, who is in her thirties and my 8 years daughter, stayed under the rubbles before they both could be rescued; my wife stayed for 20 minutes and my daughter for 30 minutes. Both my wife and daughter were taken to Nasser governmental hospital in Khan Younis. My wife is still at the Intensive Care Unit, while my daughter suffers bruises in different parts of her body. There is a huge material loss in the house including damaged media equipment.”

7/7- The Israeli occupation forces intentionally disrupted Al-Aqsa radio station’s broadcasting, in addition to using Al-Aqsa radio waves to broadcast inciting messages against Hamas. Al-Aqsa’s public relations officer, Hasan Al-Najjar, reported to MADA: “The disruption of Al-Aqsa radio station started on the first day of the Israeli attack on Gaza. It took place at different times in the morning and evening, and was focused on the border areas. We were able to overcome the disruption through the strong broadcasting. Some inciting messages against Hamas were intermittently broadcasted, such as that Hamas is the one who kills its own people, but these statements were not clearly understandable. This is not the first attack of this kind on Al-Aqsa radio station, the same happen in 2012 and 2008 (during the Israeli aggressions).”

7/7- Israeli settlers attacked the National American Radio’s media coordinator, Nuha Musleh, while she was reporting in Jerusalem. She got bruises and fissure in her neck as a result. Musleh reported to MADA: “We were in the Old City of Jerusalem, interviewing people about the situation in the city and the continuous attacks the Palestinian people face from the IOF and settlers. While we were interviewing a woman, some extremist settlers attacked us - we had not notice their presence at all – throwing a big stone which hit my right shoulder and caused some bruises. The woman whom I was interviewing was also injured in the chest. Some Palestinian

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 65 youngsters chased the settlers and took them to the police station. I went to Al-Rajihi medical center in Kafr Aqab and then to Hadasa hospital in Ein Karem for treatment, I was told that I have bruises in my shoulder and a fissure in my neck.”

8/7- The IOF targeted in a direct way Palestinian Public TV cameraman Arafat Jaradat with a tear gas bomb in his leg while he was preparing to cover clashes in Ras Karkar village west of Ramallah. Jaradat was wearing the Press vest. He reported to MADA: “My colleague the reporter Ali Dar Ali, our driver and I went to cover the clashes which erupted between the settlers and IOF on the one hand and the youth of Ras Karkar on the other hand. We were prevented from entering since the IOF closed the village’s entrance with military jeeps claiming that there were planted bombs and wanted to dismantle them. We were allowed to enter after half an hour. He added “We started preparing our equipment and cameras for live broadcast but a number of soldiers came to me and started throwing stun grenades and gas bombs as well as shooting live and rubber bullets in all directions. Even though I was wearing the journalists’ vest with the word ‘Press’ on it, this didn’t stop the soldiers from targeting me with a gas bomb, hitting me in my left leg. I was taken to an ambulance where I got treatment.”

8/7- A number of Israelis attacked a group of journalists near Sderot, south of Israel, and injured Al-Ghad Al-Arabi newspapers correspondent Dia Hushya. Hushya reported to MADA: “Around 5 PM, while the newspapers’ staff was near Sderot, close to Gaza borders, a number of Israelis attacked us and one of them threw a stone and hit my left foot, but the injury was minor and there was no need for treatment.”

8/7- The Israeli military shelled the houses of Al-Rai’ radio station presenter Fatima Al-Qadi and Al-Rai’ newspaper photojournalist Rawan Tahrawi. The manager of Al- Ra’i agency, Mu’een Al-Thawabte, reported to MADA: “The Israeli military shelled the house of Al-Rai’ radio presenter Fatima Al-Qadi and that of Al-Rai newspaper photographer Rawan Al-Tahrawi with tanks in Al-Braij, Gaza Strip. The shelling injured Rawan’s grandfather.”

8/7 - AP photojournalist Yaqoub Sami Abu Ghalwe (32 years old) who lives in Khan Younis was injured while he was covering the Israelis shelling of the house of the Kaware family; which was completely destroyed.

Abu Ghalwe reported to MADA: “During the afternoon of that day, I was covering the events in Khan Younis. Then we heard that reconnaissance missile hit close to Al-Kaware’s house. We headed off to take photos. Then F-16 missiles completely destroyed Al-Kaware’s house, there were a lot of people inside at the time of the shelling. I fell to the ground as a result of the explosion and the gunpowder (which

66 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary contains volatiles) entered my eyes and nose, making me lose consciousness. I was taken to Nasser hospital in Khan Younis where I got treatment and left after three hours. I was told to visit an ophthalmologist in order to treat my eyes.”

9/7- Sawt Al-Sha’b radio’s correspondent, Mahmoud Allouh was injured when the Israeli forces shelled an area in Gaza city where he was reporting. Allouh reported to MADA: “On Wednesday 9/7, around 1:00 AM, I was at Adda’wa area in Salah Addeen Street north of Al-Nserat, Gaza Strip, live reporting for Sawt Al-Sha’b radio station. The neighboring area was shelled and I got into an ambulance that was heading to the shelled neighborhood. Suddenly, the surrounding area was shelled with 10 rockets, even though there were signs telling that this was an ambulance with the lights turned on, plus I was wearing a press jacket. I was projected five meters away because of the blast and fell on a wooden pallet. I headed off to Al-Aqsa hospital for aid, I left after a little while since the injuries were minor and I didn’t need to stay longer.”

9/7- The IOF targeted the house of Ayada Qwaider, Al-Rai agency correspondent, in Alnseerat refugee camp south west of Gaza city. Al-Rai’s director reported to MADA: “The house of Al-Rai’s correspondent, Ayada Qwaider (31 years old), was targeted with a warning missile. There were no injuries. Qwaider is married with a child and lives in Alnseerat.”

9/7- Hamed Abed Allah Shihab (30 years old), driver of Media 24, was killed after the Israeli forces shelled Media 24 car, although the vehicle carried the ‘Press’ sign. Media 24’s manager, Yousif Abu Sharia, reported to MADA: “On Wednesday 9/7 at around 10 PM, Shihab drove the company’s car (Silver Skoda) to my house (the manager’s house) in Sabra neighborhood in order to bring mattresses and blankets for the journalists who were on duty and stayed at the office for media coverage that night. After Shihab took the material, he drove to Omar Al-Mukhtar Street, in front of Kathem store, to pick Hatem Silmi (photographer). When Shihab reached the point, he was targeted by a missile which killed him. Nothing remained of his body except the lower part. People there placed his corpse on the mattresses and wrapped him with the blankets he was bringing for his journalist colleagues.” Abu Sharia said that the car had ‘TV Press’ signs on its top and front side.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 67 9/7- Ziad Isma’el Awad, the correspondent of the online news agency Nida’ Al- Wattan was injured with his son as a result of the shelling of his neighbor’s house by IOF. Damages were also caused to his house. Awad reported to MADA: “Last Wednesday 9/7, at around 3 o’clock, the house of our neighbor (Nawasra family) was targeted, four members of the family were killed (the spouses and two children). Nawasra’s house is 5 meters away from my house, and the shelling caused damages to my house. All the 12 windows exploded, injuring my left arm and my back and causing bruises in other parts of my body. My son also got minor injuries in his head.”

10/7- Najla’ Mahmoud Al-Hajj (29 years old), media activist and a volunteer at Facebook radio station, was killed after the IOF shelled her family’s house in Khan Younis city, south of Gaza Strip. Najla’s sister, Fida’ Al-Hajj, reported to MADA, that their house had been shelled with two F-16 missiles with a short while between them, which killed her sister Najla’, her parents, 3 of her sisters and 3 of her brothers. The shelling also completely distroyed their house.

Najla’s friend, Noura Fat’hi reported to MADA: “Najla’ was a volunteering at Facebook online radio station, in Gaza. She used to prepare reports for the station and she presented an on air program several times. She was a media activist on Facebook: she was the administrator of the page “Radya Rida Allah. Najla’ completed a 150 hour training course with me on editing, photojournalism and new media. In addition, Najla’ was active in covering issues and other events in the area like the prisoners issue, and she had prepared and published many reports.”

10/7- The Israeli forces damaged the house of the Qatari Sasa Post correspondent Buthaina Rushdi Eshtewi in Alzaytoun neighborhood, Gaza. Eshtwei reported to MADA: “On Thursday 10/7, at around 4 AM, we got a phone call from the Israeli Intelligence agency telling us that we have to evacuate the house in 5 minutes. During this period of time they repeated the warning call another four times. We evacuated the house in a hurry and told our neighbors to take precautions, since the house consists of 5 floors and the shelling would affect all the neighbors.” She added: “After we left, they shelled the house with two alert missiles; then F-16 missiles completely destroyed the house. There were no injuries.”

10/7- The Israeli army interfered with Sawt Al-Quds radio station signals in Gaza city, and used the waves to broadcast an inciting message. Sawt Al-Quds’ manager, Rabah Marzouq, reported to MADA: “The Israeli forces interfered with the local radio stations signals that are close to the border, as they did in all the previous wars, and sent inciting messages as a kind of psychological warfare against the people.” He added: “The interference happened in the southern areas where the IOF’s conduct their attacks. The messages were choppy and not understandable for people living

68 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary far away, but it was clear for those who live in the targeted area in the south. The interference started on the fourth day of the Israeli attack on Gaza and lasted for two days. We didn’t get complaints from the people.”

10/7- Filistin Al-Yom news website was hacked by hackers from more than 30 countries. The general manager and chief editor of the website, Saleh Al-Masri reported to MADA: “The website was hacked from more than 30 countries, where the server was targeted twice which led to its shutdown for a few minutes before the IT technician could fix the problem and re-launch the website. On the second occasion, the hacking lasted for an hour before we could fix it. The attacked happened at night and came from different IP addresses, making the problem more difficult to solve.”

11/7- The IOF destroyed the family house of Al-Mayadeen’s TV correspondent, Ahmad Shaldan, after sending a warning. Shaldan reported to MADA: “At 4:00 PM, the Israelis called my cousin and told him that his family should evacuate the house, and 10 minutes after, the house was targeted by a warning missile. Another 10 minutes later, it was shelled by two F-16 missiles, one exploded but the other did not. Our house was totally destroyed and that of my uncle partially. Two of our neighbors got minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.”

11/7- The IOF damaged the car of Al-Arabya TV cameraman Mohammad Musleh in Al-Bireh/Ramallah city. Musleh reported to MADA: “We went to cover the clashes near the main entrance of the Psagot settlement, near Jabal Al-Taweel in Al-Bireh. The IOF soldiers were divided into two groups, one to directly confront Palestinians and the other to trap them from the other side. It was clear that Al-Arabiya TV’s car was interrupting what the Israeli soldiers were doing, so they smashed its rear window glass.”

11/7- The IOF threw stun grenades and gas bombs at a number of journalists near Qalandya checkpoint north of Jerusalem city, damaging three of the journalists’ cars. The Turkish Anatolia News Agency’s photographer, Muath Mish’al, reported to MADA: “We were near Qalandya checkpoint at around 10:30 PM to cover the clashes between the Palestinian youth and the IOF. Israeli soldiers threw stun grenades at the crowd and at the car of my colleague Samer Nazzal, Raya FM network photographer . One of the tear gas bombs thrown at protesters hit my car and cracked the rear window glass. Another bomb hit the car of my colleague Abbas Mo’mani, a photographer for the French News Agency, without causing any damage except for minor scratches on the right side.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 69 11/7- The IOF interfered with Sawt Al-Sha’b radio station signals in Gaza city, and broadcasted inciting messages. Al-Sha’b’s correspondent, Samer Al-Ghoul, reported to MADA: “Since the beginning of the Israeli attack on Gaza, the Israelis interfered with all the radio stations signals that were covering the events. We, at Sawt Al- Sha’b, faced a direct jamming as soon as the third day of the attack. The signals were disrupted, the broadcast was jammed, and inciting messages were broadcasted by the IOF to destabilize the security in the Strip. Until 14/7 the IOF were broadcasting messages that said that Gaza Resistance forces were submitting to Israeli demands and were asking for a ceasefire. We were able to fix the problem after a while and to resume broadcasting.”

11/7- The IOF shelled the house of Sawt Al-Quds director, Wa’el Fannoune in Gaza. Fannoune reported to MADA: “My house and that of my parents were shelled by F-16. My parents’ 4-floor house was targeted by 3 missiles which caused the collapse of two floors, and my two-floor house, where I live with my wife and two young daughters, was damaged on the first floor. My daughters are 5 months old and 1.5 years old.”

11/7- Sawt Al-Quds radio station broadcast had been jammed many times. The radio station manager Imad Al-Ifranji reported to MADA: “Sawt Al-Quds broadcast had been jammed many times as soon as the third day of the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.”

He added: “The Israeli army disrupted the station’s signals and broadcasted inciting messages against the resistance.”

12/7- The freelance photojournalists Iyad Al-Taweel and Abdul Afu Zughayer were injured by the IOF while covering clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Both of them were assaulted and arrested.

Al-Taweel reported to MADA: “We were inside Al-Aqsa Mosque to cover the continuous attacks by the settlers there. I was with myphotojournalist colleague Abul Afu Zughayer when the IOF started shooting randomly at everybody including children, seniors and journalists with rubber bullets. I was injured by one of these bullets in my right arm, and Zughayer was also shot with another bullet in his left hand palm.”

70 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Al-Taweel added: “The attacks finished and we were arrested at the mosque’s door on charge of breaching the state of Israel’s laws by participating in riots and throwing firecrackers. I was also beaten while they dragged me to investigation; they punched me underneath my chin, I started bleeding but they ignored it. They seized my cellphone (that I was using for filming inside the mosque) as well as all the equipment of my colleague Zughayer, which is 15,000 NIS worth. They haven’t returned the material till now.”

Al-Taweel continued: “After four days of detention and paying a 1,000 NIS bail, they sentenced me to home arrest for one week as well as prohibition from going to Al- Aqsa mosque for one month. If I breach the release conditions I will have to pay a 3,000 NIS bail.”

14/7- Filistin Al-Yom TV broadcasting was disrupted by the IOF. Mohammad Al- Najjar, a member of the news staff, reported to MADA: “The disruptions started on the first days of the Israeli attack on Gaza until this moment (14/7), the disruption is caused by the reconnaissance aircraft that are flying over us, making the broadcasting irregular and blurry. Four days ago, the IOF interfered with the signals and broadcasted threatening messages for 1:15 minute against the Gaza Resistance and the Palestinian people.”

15/7- Internet hackers from different countries, especially Israel and the USA, hacked Al-Rai’ News Agency’s website in Gaza city, provoking its interruption. Al- Rai’s director, Mu’een Thawabte, reported to MADA: “Al-Rai’ website was attacked by hackers from 31 countries, with the main attacks coming from Israel, the USA and south East Asia. Our website was interrupted for 30 hours before we managed to re- launch it and add more protection against cyber attacks.”

15/7- The IOF destroyed the house of Palestinian Public TV’s cameraman Ibrahim Abu Sharia Alsabra neighborhood in Gaza city. Abu Sharia reported to MADA: “On Monday, the IOF called our neighbor to tell us that we had to evacuate our house as it was planned for bombing. We evacuated the house; which consists of four floors and four flats, in fear and panic. Ten minutes later they launched an alert missile followed by an F-16 missile. Our house was completely destroyed. Four families used to live there, and in total 15 persons have been affected. There were no physical injuries since we had evacuated the place before the attack.”

15/7- The IOF shelled the Palestinian Public TV cameraman Yousif Abu Sharia’s house in Alsabra neighborhood in Gaza city. Abu Sharia reported to MADA: “On Monday, at 9:00 PM, the IOF called my cousin and told him that we have to evacuate his brother’s (Mohammad Abu Sharia) house. We all (20 persons) live in one building

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 71 that consists of 3 floors. After 10 minutes of evacuating the building and taking the car that has “TV” sign, they shelled it with two F-16 missiles. There were no physical affects since we evacuated the house before the shelling.”

16/7- The IOF shelled Dawood tower, where Sawt Al-Wattan radio station broadcasts from, in Gaza city. The shelling caused injuries to 3 radio workers, in addition to material damage and the broadcasting was stopped. The radio station’s general manager, Lo’ay Abu Muammar, reported to MADA: “At 2:30 AM, the 8th floor of the Dawood tower was targeted in Al-Rimal neighborhood. Sawt Al-Wattan radio headquarters are located at the 14th floor of the building, and sustained damages. Some equipment was destroyed; including the 30,000 US dollar worth Quartz device used for broadcasting, in addition to the radio’s car. Two workers were injured: the anchor Ahmad Al-Ajale (27 years old) had bruises and got treatment on the spot, and the correspondent Tareq Hamdiyye (28 years old) was bruised in his right leg and had to go to the hospital for treatment. The broadcasting is still interrupted.”

Abu Muammar added: “It should be pointed that the IOF has been jamming and disrupting the radio signals since the beginning of the attack on Gaza, as well as broadcasting threatening messages against Hamas.”

16/7- The writer and journalist Asma’ Al-Ghoul was injured in her house in Gaza city as a result of the shelling of a nearby building by the IOF. Al-Ghoul reported to MADA: “At 3:30 AM, the Israelis shelled the Dawood tower which stands in front of our house. I went to the balcony with my father to see what happened, and there a fragment injured me in my right leg and bruised my head. I didn’t go to the hospital.”

16/7- The car of the AFP photographer Ja’far Eshtayye was completely burnt by a tear gas bomb thrown by the IOF. That happened while Eshtayye was covering the clashes near Nablus city north of West Bank. Eshtayye reported to MADA: “While we were at the Huwwara checkpoint near Nablus at around 4:00 PM to cover the clashes between the IOF and the Palestinian youth, the clashes erupted, protesting the Israeli attack on Gaza, the soldiers started throwing tear gas bombs at the protesters. One of these bombs hit my car (Kia Rio 2012), cracked the rear window and made the vehicle burst into flames.”

16/7 The IOF targeted the car of the AP photographer Nasser Eshtayye and hit it by two tear gas canisters on the same occasion.

Nasser Eshtayye reported to MADA: “It was 1:00 PM; we were heading off to Huwwara checkpoint to cover the clashes between the IOF and Palestinian youth. We were standing in the middle between the checkpoint and the IOF, when they started throwing tear gas bombs at everyone, focusing on journalists (even though we told

72 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary the soldiers that we are journalists and had ‘Press’ signs on our cars and jackets). My car (Hyundai) was hit by two bombs so I parked it to a safer place. This happened on the same day when the car of my colleague (Ja’far Eshtayye) was burnt.”

Eshtayye added: “On the next day, at 3:00 PM, we went to cover another demonstration at the Huwwara checkpoint. A stone hit my head and although the injury was minor I went to get aid at Al-Rahma clinic in Nablus.”

16/7 The Palestinian security forces stopped Filistin Al-Yom TV’s staff and other journalists, and prevented them from covering clashes in Jenin between youths and IOF. The journalists were also coerced to the police station and one of them was beaten and threatened.

Filistin Al-Yom producer Mujahe Al-Sa’di reported to MADA: “We were covering clashes in Jenin, near the border with Sabah Al-Khair bridge, at around 11:30 PM. The (Palestinian) security forces were preventing the Palestinian demonstrators from reaching the IOF soldiers, and while we were covering them doing that, the Palestinian police stopped all of the TV’s staff. They detained the cameraman Rabea’ Muneer and the correspondent Murad Abu Omar in another area, and conducted them to the police station in Jenin. The security forces chased me and other workers of TV broadcasting company (whose names I don’t know) and forcibly conducted us to the police station.”

Al-Sa’di added: “At the police station, they seized our IDs and tried to take our cellphones in order to check them, claiming that there was a state of emergency that doesn’t allow us to film or take photos. We refused any checking of our communication devices, and we called Jenin’s mayor who denied the existence of such an emergency law.”

Al-Sa’di said: “They seized my camera’s memory card, where all the photographed and videoed data are. They told us that we can take it back after two hours, but we couldn’t have it until now.”

Al-Saidi went further saying: “The whole staff left the station and went to the city center of Jenin in order to cover other clashes there. When we arrived, a man in plainclothes came to me and presented himself as a member of the Palestinian preventive security service. He prevented us from filming but I didn’t listen to his order and instead threatened him that I would reveal his practices. The men severely beat me, assaulted me and dragged me for twenty meters to the car. They were beating and cursing me all the time, and were telling us that we were spies and accused us of sedition.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 73 Sa’di added: “They conducted me to the Preventive Security headquarter and beat me. I threatened that I would sue them. Other persons came to me and pushed me to the investigation room and started investigating about the reasons I film and for whom. I answered that I am a journalist and I just provide images of events. They told me that I wasn’t detained because of my profession, but because of my rudeness. They kept on cursing me and all the TV’s staff, accusing us of not being patriots and of helping the Israeli occupation maneuvers against President Mahmoud Abbas. I was detained for three hours until they released me.”

17/7- The IOF raided several times the family house of Al-Aqsa TV’s correspondent in Hebron Ala’ Al-Titi. Al-Titi reported to MADA: “On Thursday 17/7, at 2:30 AM the IOF raided my house and searched it comprehensively. I was not at home at the time, since I was at Al-Aqsa mosque. This is not the first time they raid my house, it happened three times in the last two months.”

Al-Titi added: “On 3/5 I was summoned for investigation by the Israeli Intelligence service. Two days later, I went there and they interrogated me about my profession as a journalist at Al-Aqsa TV. On 18/6 at around 2:00 AM the IOF raided our house and searched it. They did it again on 27/6 at 1:00 AM. In addition they damaged my family’s and brothers’ houses, and stole money and some gold of my mother.”

17/7 The Palestinian Intelligence services summoned the sound technician of Raya FM Network Tamer Al-Kahlah, and interrogated him about his posts on Facebook.

Kahla reported to MADA: “On Wednesday evening 16/7, I received a phone call by the Palestinian intelligence services in Ramallah demanding me to go their headquarters on the following day. I went there at around 10:00 AM. Most of the interrogation focused on my writings on Facebook. They ordered me to give them my mobile phones but I hadn’t taken them with me on that day, they also asked for my Facebook password, but I refused. They interrogated me about a number of comments I posted on Facebook which criticize the PA, but I denied them since I had temporarily suspended my Facebook account.”

He added: “I was released 12 hour later after continuous interrogation. Al-Damir Organization, the journalists syndicate and the director of Al-Raya FM Network, who is a member of the Fateh Revolutionary Council, mediated my release in exchange of going there another time. I went there again on 21/7 at 08:30 PM accompanied by the director of Al-Raya FM. The conversation was normal and they did not interrogate me about anything.”

74 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 18/7- Israeli occupation warplanes shelled the headquarters of the Alwataniya Agency for Media with 3 missiles. 35 journalists, cameramen and employees were present. A sound technician sustained fractures in the hand, broadcasting was suspended, and the premises suffered huge damages. The director of Alwataniya National Agency Muhammed Shihadeh reported to MADA: “On Friday 18/7, at around 6:53 AM, our office which is located in Gaza city (Rimal neighborhood, Al-Jawhara tower, 8th floor) was shelled by Israeli Apache warplane which threw three rockets without a previous warning. Doors, windows, filming equipment, broadcasting rooms, offices, and studios were damaged, causing the suspension of broadcasting.”

He added: “We were 35 people - cameramen, journalists and a sound technician – in the office. When the first rocket landed we left the office and ran to the building’s stairs. And after the second and third missiles hit the office, the sound technician Muhammad Shabat (42 years old) was injured in the left hand. he was transferred to Al-Shiffa Hospital by an ambulance, where he was treated and was informed that his hand was fractured.”

18/7 - The cameraman of Media TV Karim Hussein Tartouri was injured as a result of the shelling of the Al-Jawhara Tower in Gaza city, where the company headquarters are located. Tartori reported to MADA: “While I was working with the crew of the TV at the office headquarters (Gaza city, Al-Jala street, Al-Jawhara Tower, 7th floor), the office located above us was shelled without any previous warning by an Israeli Apache rocket. Our office was evacuated. While I was walking downstairs, the 7th floor was shelled by another Apache rocket. I was injured in my left hand palm by four shrapnels and the tendon of my little finger was cut. I was transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital.”

18/7- The IOF injured the Palestinian Public TV cameraman Fadi Jaiosi with a rubber bullet in his left knee, near Qalandia checkpoint, north Jerusalem.

Jaiosi reported to MADA: “We went to Qalandia check-point to cover the clashes which erupted between Palestinian youths protesting against the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the Israeli occupation forces. The TV reporter Ali Dar Ali and I walked in front of the Israeli soldiers with our press jacket on and started filming but we were targeted by extensive fire as well as gas and sounds canisters. The distance between us and them was less than 10 meters and I was injured by a rubber bullet in my left knee. Since it was very painful, I thought it was live ammunition. I was transferred to Ramallah Hospital by an ambulance where the X-rays showed that the bullet had reached the bone, causing swelling and bruise. I stayed one night at the hospital.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 75 19/7- IOF shelled the house of Al-Ra’i Agency journalist Tawfiq Hamid. He and his family members were injured. The director of Al-Ra’i Muen Thawabta reported: “The correspondent of Al-Ra’i Agency Tawfiq Hamid was injured as well as members of his family during the shelling of their house by the IOF in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip.”

20/7- The cameraman of Continue for TV production Khalid Riyad Hamad (26 years old) was killed while he was accompanying an ambulance which was targeted by the IOF in Al-Shoja’ya neighborhood in Gaza city. His colleague Sohaib Shihadeh reported to MADA: “The cameraman Sohaib Shihadeh was accompanying an ambulance at 06:00 AM in Al-Shajaiya to cover the events there. When the ambulance was targeted by an Israeli shell, he was injured although he was wearing a press jacket. He could not receive treatment since ambulances were prevented from reaching the area. At 10:00 AM, his dead body was found in Al-Shajaiya neighborhood, Al-Bazzar Street, and transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital.”

21/7- IOF shelled the house of the correspondent of Al-Ra’i Network Suhair Al- Kharraz. The director of Al-Ra’i reported to MADA: “The IOF shelled and destroyed the house of the correspondent and broadcaster of Al-Ra’i Network Suhair Khazendar in Tal Al-Hawa.”

21/7 The freelance journalist Amjad Arafa was injured by a rubber bullet fired by the IOF while he was covering a clashes between Israeli forces and youths in Jerusalem.

Arafa reported to MADA: “I went to cover a protest march and clashes between youths and the Israeli occupation forces in Al-Tour neighborhood on 21/7 after Ramadan evening prayers. Even though the march was peaceful at the begining, we were shocked when Israeli forces sprayed wastewater to disperse the protesters.”

He added: “I hid behind a fence near Al-Maqased Hospital to cover the events, far away from the wastewater. Ten minutes after starting filming, a rubber bullet was fired at me, it rebounded on the wall and hit my left shoulder near the neck. While Palestinian youths were trying to help me enter the hospital which is near the clashes, I sustained a light injury and received treatment at hospital.

21/7- The cameraman of Filisteen Al-Yaum TV Sami Thabet, was injured by a shrapnel in his arm, after the shelling of Shuhada’ Al-Aqsa Hospital by the IOF, in Der Al-Balah, where he was covering the events. Thabet reported to MADA: “While covering events in Shuhada’ Al-Aqsa hospital, the premises were targeted by the IOF with bombs and shells. I was injured by shrapnel in the left arm, in addition to some bruises in the head and knee. I received aid at the hospital but the shrapnel is still lodged in my arm and I may need surgery if it stays.”

76 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 21/7- The house of Filistin Al-Yom newspaper journalist Ala Rezeq Shamali was shelled and 6 members of his family were killed as a result. He reported to MADA: “Our house and many others nearby were shelled by a F16 Israeli warplane. 50 people from my family and relatives were living there. The house was completely destroyed leaving 6 people killed (my uncle, his wife, two of their sons and two of my cousins).”

21/7 - The correspondent of Filistin Al-Yom TV Ahmad Budari was injured by a grenade’s fragment thrown by the IOF in the left leg at about 12:00 AM, while he was covering live the clashes erupted in Al-Esawieha neighborhood in Jerusalem.

22/7- The house of the journalist of Al-A’hed TV, Muhammed Nassir Khamis Dahlan, was destroyed by the IOF. Dahlan reported to MADA: “Our house was targeted by two rockets sent by an Israeli drone at 07:50, at around 8:10, the 3-floor house was shelled with an F-16. No casualties were reported since we were informed ten minutes before via a phone call received by a family member.” He added: “40 people were living in the house, from 6 families (our family, our three cousins and some other relatives) whom had been displaced by earlier Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. The house was completely destroyed.”

22/7- The office of Al-Jazeera TV in Gaza was targeted by the IOF in Gaza city. The producer of Al-Jazeera office in Gaza city, Safwat Kahalout, reported to MADA: “At 09:00 AM while we were doing our work at Al-Jazeera office (located in Al-Jalla tower, 11th floor, Gaza city) we heard a sound of shelling. All of us were shocked since we were not able to identify the source of the sound. A few seconds later, we heard other shelling sounds but couldn’t recognize whether it was an airstrike or not. Then we understood that these were warning sounds and that Al-Jazeera office would be targeted since Israeli Foreign Affairs minister Lieberman has threaten to close all Al- Jazeera offices. No one was injured, and the material damages were limited.”

22/7- The IOF destroyed the house of the journalist and freelance director Rima Mahmoud Abu Sabha. Abu Sabha reported to MADA: “The Israeli occupation forces shelled our house at about 12:00 AM with two Apache rockets without previous warning. My father was killed and our one-floor house, where 11 people lived, was destroyed. 8 people who lived in our uncle’s house next to ours were injured. The Israeli occupation airplanes shelled the remnants of the house again at 07:00 am, flattening it completely.”

22/7- Correspondent of France Press Agency Sakher Abu Aoun sustained injuries and bruises after the shelling of a building next to his house by the IOF in Gaza city. Abu Aoun reported to MADA: “The Al-Yazaji building, situated nearly 100 meters away from my house, was shelled at 09:00 PM. I was projected into the air by the

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 77 blast. I was transferred to a hospital where I discovered that I had sustained bruises and injuries, especially in the leg. I also got three stitches above the right eye.”

23/7 The Israeli occupation forces killed Al-Kitab TV programmer Abed Rahman Ziad Abu Hayyin (28 years old) after shelling his family’s house in Al-Shajaiya neighborhood in Gaza city. His uncle, Safa Agency journalist Yasser Abu Haien, reported to MADA: “Our three-floor house was shelled by two F16 rockets without previous warning at 05:00 AM. My nephew, the journalist Abed Rahman Abu Haien, who is married and has a daughter, was killed. My father Hassan Hussein Abu Haien, 81 years old, and my other nephew the engineer Osama Saqer Abu Haien, 30, were also killed. 15 people were affected by this shelling.” Abu Hayyin added: “The house of my brother, Ziad Abu Hayyin, (A doctor), and which lies beside our house was also destroyed as a result of the shelling. 12 people used to live in the house”

23/7- The IOF fired shells at a group of journalists, Red Cross workers and civil defense crews, while they were heading to Al-Shajaiya neighborhood, destroyed by previous shelling, The cameraman of German News Agency, Saber Ibrahim Nour Eldain, was injured. He reported to MADA: “On 23/7, at around 1:00 PM, a group of journalists, Red Cross and civil defense crews when they were heading to Al-Shajaiya neighborhood without receiving a permission to go there. When we approached places targeted by earlier shelling, a number of shells were fired towards us. One of them landed on the house I was in; I fell on the ground and was transferred to a hospital. I sustained a muscular tear in the back and a light fissure in the back of the rib cage bone, behind the heart. I left the hospital two hours later after treatment.”

23/7- The IOF arrested the correspondent of Raya Network Mahmud Abu Khdair in his hous e in Shufat refugee camp near Jerusalem, imposed him to pay a fine and placed him under house arrest. His wife Abrar Abu Khdai, reported to MADA: “At 4:00 AM, a group of Israeli occupation forces raided our house in Shufat and threatened us that they would explode the house after 5 minutes if we didn’t open the door. After they entered the house without searching it, they took photos of him and took his ID. They carried out the whole detention procedures and arrested him.”

She added: “Mahmoud and other three youths of the Abu Khdair family were arrested this night. In total 17 members of the Abu Khdair extended family, have been arrested since the killing of the boy Muhammed Abu Khdair (by group of Israelis). My husband’s court hearing was delayed to Monday 28th July. He and other members of his family were accused of riots in protest against the killing of Muhammed. The general prosecutor also said that there are secret charges against them which will be revealed in due time. The two lawyers, an Arab and a Jew, asked the general prosecutor to provide evidences of the charges but he refused and maintained the detention.”

78 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary She also said: “The court hearing was delayed from Monday 28/7 to Thursday 31/7. He was successively released under the conditions of being placed under house arrest and paying a fine of 1,000 NIS. If he does not respect the conditions of his house arrest he will have to pay another fine of 3,000 NIS, since the Israeli police will visit his house every day to check whether he is there. If he violates these conditions or if any other evidence appears against him during 180 days he will be arrested again.”

23/7- The freelance video journalist Anas Abu Mualik, was injured by shrapnel in the chest and abdomen as a result of the Israeli shelling of Shuhada’ Al-Aqsa Hospital in Der Al-Balah while he was covering events there. The correspondent of Anatolia Turkish Agency Mateen Kaiya reported to MADA: “While Anas Abu Mualik was covering the events in Shuahada’ Al-Aqsa Hospital, the floor where he was, got shelled and Anas was injured moderately by fragment in the chest and abdomen. He also sustained a severe injury in the left leg and needed to undergo emergency surgery but he could not, due to the lot of injuries, the lack of available doctors. He is receiving treatment at a hospital in Istanbul.”

24/7- An Israeli soldier deliberately fired a rubber bullet towards Nader Pepers cameraman of Palestinian Public TV. He reported to MADA: “I was covering the clashes between Palestinian youth and Israeli soldiers in Wadi Al-Joz neighborhood in Jerusalem, where the situation was stable after Israeli wastewater cars intervened to spray away protesters. I was standing with paramedics when one of them told me that there was a green light on my head. Before he could complete the sentence I was shot by a rubber bullet in my neck. I was then transferred to Al-Makased Hospital to receive treatment and the doctor told me that my injury required 3 weeks to heal.”

24/7 The correspondent of Falastin Al-Yom TV Jehad Barakat suffered from excessive gas inhalation when the IOF threw gas bombs at protesters near Qalandia checkpoint. The broadcasting van was targeted by bullets and a montage technician was injured. Barakat reported to MADA: “While we were covering the clashes between Palestinian youth and the Israeli occupation army during the 48,000 protesters march from Ramallah to Jerusalem, the IOF fired gas canisters at protesters and I suffered from excessive gas inhalation. Some youngsters came to my aid since the ambulance could not reach us. The broadcasting car of Falastin Al-Yom TV was targeted by bullets from anonymous sources, the windshield was broken and the journalist Zakaria Salhi (26 years old) who works as a video technician at Ramsat Company was injured in the chest as a result. He was transferred to a hospital for treatment.”

25/7- Raya network photojournalist Shadi Hatem was injured in the leg while he was covering clashes near Qalandia checkpoint. He explained: “While I was doing my work covering the eruption of fire between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers, I

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 79 was injured at about 01:00 AM by a 0.22 mm bullet (known locally as “Tutu”) fired from an unidentified source. I think this kind of bullet is not available to Palestinians who use Kalashnikov bullets. I was injured in the left leg and transferred to Ramallah Governmental Hospital to receive treatment where I was told to wait for two weeks to pull the bullet out of my leg. However I went to the Arab Care Hospital at 03:00 PM and the bullet was removed by a surgeon.”

25/7- Anadolu photographer Muath Mashal was injured when an Israeli soldier deliberately fired two bullets towards a group of journalists while they were covering a march in the entrance of Al-Bireh/Ramallah. Mashal reported to MADA: “We (Al- Haiya Al-Jadeda photojournalist Esam Rimawi, Xinhua Chinese Agency photographer Fadi Arouri and France Press photographer Abbas Mumni) were near Bet El settlement, in front of the gas station, to cover the events. An Israeli soldier fired a bullet at us and nobody was injured but the second bullet exploded and hit me and Esam Rimawi. Shrapnel injured my left hand above the wrist and settled there.”

He added: “I went to Ramallah Governmental Hospital to receive treatment and doctors said it was difficult and dangerous to pull the shrapnel out of my hand even with surgery.”

25/7- The IOF shot live bullets at the photographer and correspondent of Wafa Agency, Thaer Abu Baker. The bullet injured him in the leg. He reported to MADA: “On Friday, 25/7, at around 11 PM, I was covering a march from Jenin city center to Al-Jalamh checkpoint at 11:00 PM. Demonstrators were burning wheels. At the beginning there were no Israeli soldiers but they came later, a light bomb was fired which injured a youth. Another person was targeted by a bullet fired by Israeli special forces. All the bullets were fired from a muffler. When I went to take a picture of the injured person in the ambulance, I was injured by live ammunition in the right leg. I was transferred to the hospital to receive treatment and I was told that the bullet had penetrated my leg and caused fractures to the bone. I have been staying at the hospital since then because I am unable to move and the doctor told me that my injuries need two to three months to be healed.”

25/7- Israeli occupation forces shelled a house next to Forsan Al-Huria Radio in Deir Al-Balah - Gaza Strip, resulting in the destruction of the media headquarters and the suspension of broadcasting for two days.

The radio’s public relations director Osama Abu Saker reported to MADA: “The premises of the radio which are located in Deir Al-Balah were destroyed by fragment as a result of the shelling of the nearby house. 8 computers and 8 windows were destroyed, and some equipment was damaged. The broadcasting was suspended for

80 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary two days and broadcasting hours were reduced from 17 hours to 5 hours daily, i.e. from 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM. The estimated loss ranges between 40,000 and 50,000 NIS.”

26/7 The Israeli occupation forces attacked the crew of Al-Mayadeen TV several times while they were covering clashes erupted at Jerusalem entry points and prevented them from coverage.

The correspondent of Al-Mayadeen TV Hana Mahameed reported to MADA: “After the Israeli army closed all the entrances that lead to Jerusalem and prevented Palestinian citizens from heading to Jerusalem to pray there, clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and the Israeli occupation forces who fired rubber-coated steel bullets as well as gas and stun grenades in different areas. The crew of Al-Mayadeen TV, including the cameraman Ishaq Kosbi and I, were covering live the events at Al- Issawiya area. We were attacked twice after 01:00 AM while we were walking towards a hill from where we can see Al-Issawiya neighborhood to cover the events from there. Several Israeli military patrols were deployed there; they pushed us back and prevented us from coverage under the pretext that this was a close military area.”

She added: “45 minutes later, while we were trying to go forward to complete our live coverage, Israeli soldiers threw a gas grenade at us from atop the hill. There were no injuries. A group of Israeli soldiers then headed down towards us and threatened us that they would break our cameras if we stayed there. They pushed us nearly 10 meters back although we were 150 meters far away from the source of the events and only wanted to find a good angle to cover what was happening.”

26/7 Rami Al-Khatib, correspondent of the program an Eye on Jerusalem (“Ein Ala Al-Quds”) broadcasted on the Jordanian TV, was injured twice by Israeli rubber bullets while he was covering clashes in Jerusalem.

Al-Khatib reported to MADA: “While I was covering clashes between Palestinians and Israeli occupation forces in the Shufat refugee camp, near Jerusalem, I was deliberately injured by a rubber bullet in the left leg above my knee. I received fist aid but it was still painful. He added: “Five days ago, after covering events erupted in Salah El-Din Street in the city of Jerusalem, I saw an Israeli officer pointing his arm at me. I was injured by a rubber bullet in the head and was transferred to a hospital where I got five stitches.”

29/7 Baha Kamel Ghareib (59 years old), employee of the Hebrew News Department of the Palestinian Public TV in Rafah, was killed with his daughter by an Israeli rocket fired by a drone, while he was transferring his daughter to the hospital for treatment.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 81 His neighbor Ibrahim Abed Rahaman, director at Palestinian Public TV, reported to MADA: “On 29/7 at 10:30 AM Baha Ghareib was going with his daughter Ola to a hospital to treat her. On his way there he was targeted by a rocket fired from an Israeli drone and both of Baha and his daughter were killed.”

29/7- Ezat Salameh Abu Duhair (23 years old) correspondent of Al-Hurria Media Network and four members of his family were killed by the shelling of his house by the IOF in Rafah city, south of the Gaza Strip.

Al-Hurria network issued an obituary statement saying: “The Israeli missiles targeted today, Tuesday, the house of our colleague Ezat Abu Duhair in Rafah. The network correspondent has broadcasted the last voice message through Al-Hurria platform on 4:30 AM. His sister’s husband, Younis Safi, said in an interview on Al-Hurria network that when Ezat had finished broadcasting about the last massacre in Khan Younis and was preparing to go and pray at the mosque, the Israeli missiles hit his house and killed everybody inside.”

29/7 The IOF destroyed three headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV and channel in Gaza city in the early morning.

The programs director of Al-Aqsa, Samir Abu Mohsen, reported to MADA: “On 29/7/2014 at 02:45 AM the headquarters of Al-Aqsa channel, located in Al-Naser neighborhood near Al-Quds Open University in Gaza city were shelled. The building was first targeted by a rocket sent by an Israeli drone and two minutes later by F16 rockets, which destroyed the whole building including the offices, media equipment and the studio ’ 250 m2”. No casualties were reported.”

He added: “At the same time, the second headquarter of the channel, a five-floor building of 550 m2 studio which is located in Al-Naser neighborhood near Al-Sheikh Radawn cemetery in Gaza city, was shelled with a reconnaissance missile. After less than half an hour, the same building was targeted by an F16 rocket and the building was destroyed, including the media equipment devices. There were no casualties.”

He continued: “Today at 03:00 AM, the headquarters of Al-Aqsa TV situated on the 15th floor of Al-Shorouq Tower were targeted by an Israeli rocket. We didn’t know if it was by an Apache or a drone. The premises were nearly completely destroyed and the broadcasting was suspended.

29/7 The IOF destroyed the house of the editor of Safa Agency Emad Shtaw in Gaza city. Ishtawi reported to MADA: “At 01:00 AM my brother received a phone call by the IOF warning us to immediately leave our house since it would be shelled and to inform our neighbors to take precautions too. The house was targeted by a warning

82 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary rocket which was followed by a F16 rocket which completely destroyed the house. He added: “Our house is situated in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood. It is a 350 m2building with three floors consisting of five apartments. Four of my brothers, their families, and my parents, totaling 42 people, used to live there.”

30/7- Ahed Afif Zaqout (49 years old), sports commentator at the Palestinian Public TV, was killed by the IOF in Gaza city. The head of the media workers syndicate of the Palestinian Public TV in Gaza, Kamel Hamed, told MADA: “Today, 30/7, between 3:00 and 4:00 AM, the journalist Ahed Zagout was killed by an F-16 missile while sleeping alone in his apartment; his wife and two children were staying at his wife’s family that night.” He added: “Ahed’s apartment is located on Al-Nassir Street, in the Italian complex in Gaza city. He had been working as a sport commentator for Palestinian Public TV since 2000. He was an athlete who played at Gaza Sport Club, and he worked as a director of Al-Nash’in school at Al-Hilal Club.”

30/7- Rami Fathi Rayan (26 years old) cameraman of the Palestinian Press and Media Network, was killed during the Israeli shelling of a market in Al-Shajaiya neighborhood in Gaza city after the announcement of a temporary truce. The head of the Palestinian Press and Media Network Nasr Abu Alfoul reported to MADA: “After the announcement from the both the Palestinian and the Israeli sides, of a 4 hour truce today afternoon, the cameraman Rami Ryan went with the editor of the network Mahmoud Alqasas to report on the situation in the market of Shaja’ya. There, everyone in the market was targeted, including civilians, journalists and ambulances. The shelling was a surprise to them, there were many Israeli warplanes. As a result, Rami Ryan was killed and Mahmoud Alqasas was slightly injured in the head.

30/7- The journalist at Al-Aqsa TV Sameh Mohammed Al-Ariyan (28 years old) was killed during the shelling by the IOF of Al-Shajaiya neighborhood in Gaza city. The programs director of Al-Aqsa TV Samir Muhasin reported to MADA: “On Wednesday 30/7 at 07:00 PM, while Al-Ariyan was covering the events in Shajaiya, he was targeted by missiles together with a number of civilians, journalists and paramedics. He was killed in the shelling. He was wearing a ‘Press’ jacket.”

30/7- The video-journalist of Al-Manar Agency Hamed Radwan Al-Shobaki, was injured by IOF, while he was covering the shelling of Al-Shajaiya neighborhood in Gaza city.

He reported to MADA: “I went to Al-Shajaiya neighborhood at about 04:30 PM to cover what was going on. The Israeli shelling was extensive; many people were injured and killed. I tried to help paramedics staff providing aid to the injured but we – journalists, paramedics and civil defense staff – were targeted by a number

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 83 of Israeli shells. I was injured by shrapnel all over my body. I was transferred to a hospital where I underwent surgery to pull the shrapnel out of my abdomen. A piece of platinum was fixed into my left thigh. The fragments in my right leg above the knee could not be removed. I might have to travel abroad, to Turkey, Qatar or Egypt, to receive treatment.”

31/7- The journalist Mohammed Majed Daher (27 years old), editor at Al-Resalla weekly newspaper, died of injuries he sustained on 20/7, when the IOF shelled his family’s house.

The director of Al-Resalla Radio Mohammed Abu Qamar reported to MADA: “On Sunday, 20/7, at 10:00 AM, the Israeli airstrikes, shelled the three-floor house of Mohamed Daher In Al-Shajaia neighborhood in Gaza, without any previous warning. Daher was severely injured, sustaining a fracture in the skull, bleeding in the brain and kidney failure. The civil protection staff was not able to rescue him since the IOF prevented them to reach the place. Daher was eventually transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital at 06:00 PM (8 hours after he got injured). He died on 31/7 at 04:00 AM. His 14 month daughter Dana, his parents, his brother and his sister were also killed in the bombing. His pregnant wife and his other sister were moderately injured.

84 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 31/7- The IOF tanks shelled and destroyed the 85 m2 office of Sou’d for Media and Press in Gaza city. Sou’d Abu Ramadan, the owner of the company and freelance journalist for the German and Chinese news agencies, told MADA: “On Thursday, at 8:00 AM, I left the office with three employees to have a break outside. When we were out, I received a phone call from the building guard telling me that the premises were deliberately hit by an Israeli tank shell causing serious damages. Almost everything was destroyed. The shell moved from a room to another room until it stopped in the kitchen. It caused serious damage to all the rooms, 95% of the office is destroyed.” He added: “The office, which is located in Gaza –Al-Thalatini Street, Basha Tower, 8th floor –contained office furniture and equipment such as computers and video recording devices, since we provide international press with photos and videos. The estimated losses resulting from this attach range between 15,000 and 18,000 US Dollars.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 85 Details of Violations

AUGUST

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.”

86 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 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.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 87 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.

88 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 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.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 89 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) andAFP 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.

90 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary

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.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 91 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.”

92 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 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

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 93 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 colleagueBethlehem 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.”

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.”

94 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary • 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

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 95 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.

96 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary

• 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.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 97 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.

98 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 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.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 99 Details of Violations

SEPTEMBER

6/9 The Palestinian preventive intelligence service summoned the freelance journalist Ibrahim Sa’eed (aged 24) for participating in demonstrations in Ramallah.

Sa’eed reported to MADA: “On 6/9 I was asked to go on the following day to the preventive security headquarters with my brother and another 4 persons from Birzeit, a town north of Ramallah. None of us went but the preventive security men arrested Ayman Abu Aram (aged 26) and detained him for 30 hours before releasing him. Aram is a photographer and he works in a trade company. As for me, they called me many times but I did not answer since I recognized their phone numbers.” (He told MADA that since 2/10 the security forces have not called him again).

He added: “According to what Aram said, they interrogated him about his participation in the solidarity demonstrations with Gaza and about the photographs he took during a festival of solidarity with Hamas held on Saturday 31/8/2014 in Ramallah.”

7/9 The Palestinian preventive security forces arrested Aslan Fa’eq Al-Taweel (aged 38) for his writings on Facebook.

Al-Taweel, from the West Bank village of Far’ata, near Qalqilya, was accused of stirring sedition and sectarianism in the nation. He reported to MADA: “On Sunday 7/9/2014, I received a summons to go to the preventive security headquarters in Qalqilya and I went there on Monday. At the beginning their legal consultant interrogated me for one hour about old subjects such as my political affiliation and my participation in Hamas events. At the end of the investigation he accused me of criticizing the president and the Palestinian Authority on Facebook, in addition to stirring sedition and sectarianism in the nation.”

He added: “The public prosecution extended my arrest for another 48 hours. Two days later the court extended my arrest again for another 15 days. Four days later, I appeared in the court and the judge asked me whether I was guilty or not. I answered no, which led to my detention until 11/11. The judge refused to release me despite the request made by my lawyer Ghassan Al-Barghouthi.”

He said further: “I was allowed to call my wife and asked for her brother’s help. He asked for VIP assistance and I was released on a 1,000 JD (about 1300 $) bail with 100 $ of it to be paid with a pledge not to stir sedition and sectarianism in the nation. Another court session is to be held on 11/11/2014.”

100 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 7/9 The Intelligence service in Bethlehem arrested the political activist and Asda news website correspondent Qutaiba Saleh Qasem (aged 26).

Qasem reported to MADA: “They arrested me at home and asked me to head to their headquarters for five minutes. Since the moment they arrested me on Sunday evening until Monday morning they interrogated me continuously, trying to find links between Hamas and I. They also asked me about my publications on Facebook and the fact that many tags on my account were posted by my friends saying that I had been arrested by the security forces.”

He added: “On Monday afternoon, their legal consultant threatened of charging me and imprisoning me. I was released but was asked to go back to their headquarters on the next day. This was repeated on Tuesday and Thursday, where I went at 10:30 am until 2:30 pm without any interrogation. I was released and told to come back on 21/9. I went back on that date and I stayed at their headquarters for two hours without any interrogation. Later on I was given my ID back and I left.”

12/9 Palmedia cameraman Amer Abdeen was accidently hit by a stone thrown by a Palestinian youth while he was covering clashes in Hebron.

He reported to MADA: “After the funeral of Raed Al-Ja’bari, a detainee who died in Israeli prison, on 12/9, clashes started between the IOF and the Palestinian youths in the Bab Al-Zawye neighborhood of Hebron. While the Palestinians were throwing stones at the IOF, one of them hit my left leg underneath my knee. The injury was minor, I had treatment at the ambulance and was told to go to the hospital if needed.”

13/9 The Palestinian preventive security forces arrested Ra’ed Rafeeq Qubbaj (aged 42) for his writing on Facebook.

Qubbaj, who is a pharmacist, reported to MADA: “On 13/9 at around 7:00 pm, while I was in my pharmacy, a man came in and presented himself as a member of the preventive security forces. He said that he had an official order to arrest me but didn’t show any papers. I refused to leave the pharmacy and waited until my wife came and stayed in the pharmacy. I left with him after half an hour to their headquarters in Al-Balou’ neighborhood and then after 15 minutes they led me to their other headquarters in Beitounia neighborhood (near Ramallah). There, they took my personal belongings and put me in cell for half an hour. Later, two officers accused me of defaming and slandering VIPs in posts I had written on Facebook during the Israeli attack on Gaza. The investigator had a copy of my writings printed and documented in a file.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 101 “They interrogated me about all the posts, accusing me of talking about President Mahmoud Abbas, but I clarified whom I meant in each post. They also asked me about my political affiliation, and if I had ever been arrested by the Israelis.”

Qubbaj added: “On Sunday at 8:00 am I was presented to the public prosecution, and my detention was extended for 48 hours. On Tuesday, I appeared in court in the presence of the judge. He extended my detention hurriedly for 15 days. On the next day, I appeared in court again, and as a result of the discussion between the judge and the lawyer, the court approved my release on bail for 1,000 JD (about 1300 $), specifying that the bail must be paid if I did not attend the next court hearing on 23/11/2014. I was released on Wednesday 17/9/2914.”

14/9 The preventive security services arrested Birzeit journalism student and media club head Bara’ Mahmoud Al-Qadi (aged 22).

Al-Qadi was accused of “slandering the general authority” in his journalistic writings for some news agencies.

His sister Tasneem told MADA: “The preventive security forces arrested my bother on Sunday 14/9, and his detention was extended for 24 hours. On Tuesday 16/9, the general prosecution extended his detention for 15 days and the court approved the decision.”

She added: “Bara’ was accused of “slandering the general authority” after he published posts on Facebook and journalistic materials on online news websites such as Al-Quds network and Wattan agency. That means these accusations were made on the background of the expression of his political views.”

His lawyer Muhannad Karaja who works at Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights and followed Bara’s case with his colleague the lawyer Anas Al-Barghouthi, reported to MADA: “We presented a request for Bara’s release on Thursday 18/9 but it was rejected. A second request was made for his release on bail and we are still awaiting the answer.”

Karaja said that he had been banned from visiting Bara’ until Sunday morning 21/9.

On 24/9 Karaja reported to MADA that Bara’ was released on Tuesday after the judge had approved his release on a 5,000 JD bail, which should be paid if he did not attend the next court session.

102 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Bara’ reported to MADA that he was accused of slandering the general authority after he cursed a Palestinian police officer on Facebook, calling him “stupid”. This followed a discussion between Bara’ and the officer held after a visit of an Israeli group to the Palestinian territories early in 2014. Journalistic pieces he wrote on online news agency such as Al-Quds network agency and Wattan agency were also incriminated, including an article entitled “Adel and Imad Awadallah, an issue we are afraid to talk about”. Bara’ said further: “The investigation was about my political affiliation at the university and about my relation with my cousin who has been deported to Gaza. I was also questioned about my work as head of the university media club, how I got to the post and who supports me financially. They also asked me about demonstrations I participated in. Those events are usually held by national forces since I do not belong to any political party and do not participate in their rallies.” Bara’ added: “During my detention I was in a small dirty cell, they treated me well and I was not beaten.”

19/9 The Palestinian intelligence service and national security officers raided the house of “Filisteen Al-Yaum” TV producer Mujahed Mohammad Al-Sa’di (aged 26) in Jenin and later arrested him while he was at his brothers’ house.

Al-Sa’di reported to MADA: “The intelligence services raided my family house on Friday 19/9 at 12 am; I was not at home. They headed to my brothers’ house, broke the door and threw stun grenades for 10 minutes before I opened the door. They told me that they wanted to search the house and I asked for an official authorization but one of the officers pushed me and I fell to the ground. It was clear that the search warrant in their possession was for my house and not for that of my brothers.”

He added: “They brutally pulled me into their car, cuffed my hands and led me to the intelligence services headquarter in Jenin. They accused me of cursing Azzam Al- Ahmad (a Fatah leader) whom I interviewed on Thursday 18/9 about the massacres committed against the Palestinian people and the procedures used by the authority while the assaults were still ongoing.”

Al-Sa’di specified: “They arrested me because I had put the photo of an Israeli journalist who was present while I was making the interview (since he was also making an interview of Al-Ahmad on the same subject) and because I posted the Israeli journalist’s photo on my Facebook page with his article and the word ‘Betrayal.’”

They requested to bring me to the general prosecution on charge of distrust, and also asked me to drop my betrayal accusation against Al-Ahmad. An hour later, I was surprised when they asked me to write my testimony by myself and to sign it in order to be released. I refused and I signed a testimony written by them. I was released on Saturday 20/9.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 103 20/9 The IOF detained Ro’ya correspondent Ahmad Barahme (aged 24) for around 5 hours, beat him and interrogated him.

Barahme was on a journalistic tour for media workers in Jerusalem. He reported to MADA: “I was heading to Jerusalem for a tour entitled “Here the capital is” accompanied by my colleague Riyad Qadriyye (head of Zeinat Al-Quds media network, organizer of the tour). The IOF stopped us when we reached Al-Za’eem checkpoint and detained us in a caravan from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, when they released us.”

“During the detention, they took our IDs and cell phones. They interrogated us about the reasons why we were participating in the event and with whom we work. A soldier beat me on the chest. It still hurts and I need to go to the hospital.”

23/9 The Israeli occupation forces shot a bullet at AFP photographer Hazem Bader (aged 48) after he finished covering the killing of two Palestinians in Hebron by the IOF on 23/9.

He reported to MADA: “I had finished covering the events in Bir Al-Mahjar neighborhood, during which the IOF assassinated two Palestinians, Amer Abu Aishe and Marwan Al-Qawasme, and raided and targeted houses and stores, leaving some of them partially burnt. I was standing in a street, after the Israeli forces had left the area, when a bullet was shot at me, hitting my right leg and my left knee in a bounce. I was wearing the journalists’ protection vest at the time of the shooting.”

He added: “I got medical aid in the ambulance and later I went to the Red Crescent to get further treatment.”

24/9 The IOF assaulted Al-Falastiniyya TV cameraman Ahmad Jalajel(aged 35) and Al-Quds net photographer Diala Jwehan.

The Israeli security and police tried to prevent them from covering the measures taken by the Israeli police during the celebrations of a Jewish festival in Jerusalem. Jwehan reported to MADA: “The Israeli police closed the entrances of Jerusalem Old City, put barriers and obstructed the movement of Palestinian citizens in the city. I headed to the area to cover the event and take photos, standing in a distant area. At that time, a policeman put his hand on my camera’s lens to prevent me from covering. Then when I went to Bab Al-Majlis to take photos of Jewish women heading to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, a large number of the Israeli Special Forces chased me and prevented me from taking photos. They also threatened me with arrest. I was obviously targeted for being a journalist.”

104 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Ahmad Jalajel reported to MADA: “While I was covering the Israeli forces preventing Muslim worshipers from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, the soldiers pushed me and my camera. One of them asked me to stop filming but I refused. As a result, he beat me on the chest and held my neck with his hands; he also severely kicked me on my left leg. I received medical treatment on site, and until now the injuries are still hurting” (after one day).

29/9 The Palestinian intelligence forces summoned the freelance journalist and previous chief editor of Manbar Al-Esalah newspaper Yazeed Khader (aged 50), interrogated him and detained him for 24 hours.

Yazeed Khader, from the village of Deir Alghsoun near the northern city of Tulkarem, West Bank, reported to MADA: “The Palestinian intelligence services called me and told me to go to their headquarters on the next day. I went there on 30/9 and was interrogated for less than one hour. The investigation was about the nationalist activities I participate in, especially the demonstrations organized by Hamas. I had to spend the night there, although the interrogation itself was short, and I was released on the following day without request to go there again.”

AFP photographer Hazem Bader receiving medical treatment (Photo by Ma’mom Wazwaz)

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 105 Details of Violations

OCTOBER

1/10- The Israeli occupation forces detained the Iranian “Khabar TV” correspondent Jihad Addin Al-Badawi (aged 27) as he was covering clashes in Al-Arroub refugee camp, Hebron.

Al-Badawi reported to MADA: “For the past three weeks there have been repeated assaults by the IOF on Al-Arroub refugee camp as well as clashes with its residents. The confrontations escalated after the IOF accused a 12 year old cancer patient of stone-throwing. On 1/10, as I was filming heavy clashes, the IOF tried to attack me but I showed them my journalist card and my ID. When the clashes were over, we headed to the camp where the IOF stopped me with another three men and seized our IDs and my journalist card. They released the others half an hour later but kept me detained for three hours in bad conditions in the military tower that stands on the borders of the camp. After making phone calls they released me with threats that they might arrest me again in the future.”

2/10- The IOF seized the cameras of AP photographer and Al-Ayyam newspaper correspondent in Jenin Mohammad Ballas (aged 44) andPalmedia cameraman Ahmad Al-Kilani (aged 33) while they were covering an arrest in Jenin refugee camp

Ballas told MADA: “We went to cover an IOF raid of Jenin refugee camp on 2/10 at around 6:30 AM. While we were filming and photographing the arrest of two men (who were released later), two masked members of the Israeli Special Forces Unit came to us and seized our cameras (my two photo cameras and the video camera of my colleague Ahmad Al-Kilani). They gave them back to us fifteen minutes later but without the batteries, memory cards and filming tape. We are still waiting to get them back.”

8/10- Israeli police officers assaulted Trans Media cameraman Suhaib Salhab (aged 22) and other journalists, obstructing their work and preventing them from filming clashes in Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem.

Salhab reported to MADA: “A large number of Israeli police and Border police officers raided Al-Aqsa Mosque from Bab Al-Magharba (Dung Gate) and assaulted the worshippers with tear gas bombs and stun grenades to make them evacuate the mosque’s square before Israeli Jews raided the compound to perform the religious rituals of Sukkot. Journalists were covering the actions near Bab Al-Asbat (Lion’s Gate) but the Israeli police obstructed us. They pushed me many times to prevent me from

106 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary covering, and also assaulted Filisteen Al-Yom producer Ruba Al-Bardaweel, pushing her out of the place many times.

8/10- The Israeli police assaulted Al-Arz company photographer Ayman Abu Ramouz (aged 24) while he was covering clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and prevented him from photographing.

Abu Ramouz reported to MADA: “While we were covering clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly near Bab Al-Majles, an Israeli police officer pushed me many times. I showed him my journalist card but he did not care. He punched me on my shoulder when I told him that I was not disturbing him so he should not disturb me. My freelance colleague Mustafa Al-Kharouf was also strongly pushed.”

8/10 The Israeli police assaulted Al-Mayadeen TV correspondent Hana’ Mahameed (aged 29) while covering clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing her from doing her work and threatening to sue her.

Mahameed reported to MADA: “I was covering the raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the assault of worshipers inside the Old City of Jerusalem when the Israeli police prevented me and other journalists from doing our job. While I was heading to interview some women, a police officer attacked me and accused me of incitement against Israel. I told him that I was only doing my work. He asked for my ID and journalist card and threatened to submit a complaint against me. A short while later, I got my papers back and was able to leave.”

8/10- The Palestinian Preventive Security Forces summoned some Al-Fajer TV staff for investigation about broadcasted news in Tulkarem city.

The following staff members were summoned: website director Shadi Abdullah (aged 24), administrative and financial director Yusri Al-Sarghali (aged 25), and cameraman Ala’ Al-Jallad (aged 20). In protest, Al-Fajer TV halted the broadcast for 4 hours.

Abdullah reported to MADA: “Al-Fajer TV broadcasted the news that a man had died following a fight in the Mega Land amusement park in Tulkarem city on 8/10. In fact the man was just injured, so we corrected the news on both our TV and website, and also apologized to the injured man’s family, who accepted the apology and everything was fine. However, less than 15 minutes later, the Preventive Security Forces called us for interrogation, asking questions about the news we had broadcasted and our sources of information. An hour later they released us but when we reached the entrance they asked cameraman Ala’ Al-Jallad to stay so as to take his testimony again. We all waited for him until 9:15 PM, when they finally released him.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 107 He added: “Al-Fajer TV administration halted the broadcast in protest for our detention and investigation until our release. The broadcast was halted from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM.”

10/10- The IOF used pepper spray on Bilal Al-Tamimi (aged 48),volunteer journalist at the Israeli human rights center B’Tselem

Al-Tamimi reported to MADA: “At around 2:30 PM I was covering clashes between Palestinian youth and the IOF during the weekly demonstration of Al-Nabi Saleh. One of the Israeli soldiers used pepper spray towards my eyes, preventing me from working. This is not the first time; I have been assaulted in such a manner three times in the past.”

“It is known that peppers spray causes burns in the eyes, preventing the affected person from opening its eyes for almost an hour,” said Al-Tamimi, who added that he did not get any treatment except for cold water compresses.

11/10- The IOF detained Trans Media cameraman Muath Amarne(aged 27) while he was preparing a report on the olive harvest in Sureef village, near Hebron.

Amarne reported to MADA: “I headed off with my colleague Samir Rweshed (aged 26), who works as a correspondent at Orient News, to prepare a report on the olive harvest in Sureef. It was 11:00 AM when an Israeli military vehicle stopped us and asked us what we were doing? (We were behind the Apartheid Wall). They detained us for two hours and seized our IDs and journalists cards. They also turned off our cellphones. They later drove us to Jaba’ checkpoint to meet the officer there, we were detained for another two hours before we got released. They just detained us without investigation.”

13/10- An Israeli police officer assaulted Al-Jazeera TV cameraman Mohammad Al-Salayme (aged 50) many times while he was covering clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem. He was also prevented from photographing together with other journalists.

Al-Salayme reported to MADA: “I was in the Old City of Jerusalem near Bab Hutta (Gate of Remission) in order to cover the repeated attacks by Israeli settlers. While I was making an interview with a man from Jerusalem about the situation, an Israeli officer strongly pushed me and hit my camera, which fell to the ground (without damages). The same officer pushed me again after we went to Bab Al-Asbat (Lion’s Gate) which is 50 meter away from Bab Hutta.

108 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary “Then, as I was in a narrow path where there was a heavy stun grenades attack against the Palestinians, I went to a spot a bit further away to film but the same Israeli officer came and pushed me, and my camera fell again to the ground (no damages again).”

He added: “In general, all the journalists were subjected to assaults and prevented from covering.”

14/10- Al-Jazeera TV cameraman Mohammad Al-Salayme was assaulted again while he was covering the clashes in Jerusalem. A stun grenade thrown by the Israeli police hit his back.

Al-Salayme reported to MADA: “On 14/10 the worshipers were prevented from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque and as they were praying in the street near Bab Al-Asbat (Lion’s Gate), the Israeli police threw many stun grenades towards them. One of the grenades hit my back and rebounded on the ground under a car. I suffered no physical harm.”

15/10- The Israeli police assaulted Beit Al-Maqdes news agency correspondent and Himma News founder Liwa’ Abu Rmeleh (aged 23) while she was covering clashes in Jerusalem.

Abu Rmeleh reported to MADA: “There was outrage in Jerusalem due to the continuous daily attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque. On 15/10 I went to cover the clashes in front of Bab Hutta in the Old City. While I was covering the Israeli police’s arrest of a Palestinian man and their throwing of stun grenades towards Al-Aqsa guards, an Israeli police officer came to me and pushed me, making me fall to the ground. As I kept on taking photos he pushed me again, kicked me with his foot and hit me with a baton on my right arm. My wrist hurt me for two days after that and I had to bandage it.”

17/10- The Palestinian Security Forces assaulted Wattan TV staff while they were covering a demonstration in Hebron, south West Bank. They also seized their cameras and prevented them from covering.

Wattan TV manager in Hebron Murad Al-Ja’bari (aged 36) reported to MADA: “On 17/10, a solidarity demonstration against the daily Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque was organized, starting from Ein Sara neighborhood in Hebron. The Palestinian Security Forces blocked the road so the protesters changed the path. Then the security forces started attacking protesters, including the journalists.”

He added: “Wattan TV staff was prevented from covering because the Palestinian

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 109 Authority claims that Wattan TV is not professional in covering the events. The security men prevented me and my staff from working, they seized our cameras and detained the cameraman Kamal Al-Sharif (aged 21) for 10 minutes. One of the security forces told me: ‘you are a good agency so why do you film these people?’ Then they dragged us strongly to make us leave the place.”

17/10- Al-Alhayat- Al-jadidah newspaper photographer Issam Rimawi was injured by a rubber bullet fired by an Israeli soldier while he was covering a demonstration in Beitunia neighborhood in Ramallah.

Rimawi reported to MADA: “I was covering a demonstration of solidarity with Al- Aqsa Mosque in Beitunia, standing near a wall to take photos with my back turned to the soldiers. They shot at my right calf muscle with a rubber bullet. I received only first aid on the field although the injury was not minor.”

17/10- The Israeli police shot Himma News volunteer photographer Marwa Idrees (aged 22) with a rubber bullet that caused bleeding in her spleen.

Marwa, who is also a volunteer at the Medical Relief, reported to MADA: “I went to cover the clashes between the Palestinian youth and the Israeli police near Bab Al-Majles (Council Gate), in the Old City of Jerusalem. When I heard that many people had been injured, I wore my paramedics vest to give first aid to the wounded. However I was myself hit by a rubber bullet in my back that ripped my spleen and caused bleeding.

“I stayed at Al-Maqased hospital until 27/10. Now I am at home with a one-month long treatment. If my state does not improve I will have to undergo surgery. Meanwhile I am not allowed to move fast or walk for too long.”

17/10- The Palestinian Intelligence forces arrested Al-Aqsa TV correspondent Tareq Abu Zaid (aged 38) and Ramsat cameraman Mohammad Abdulghani (aged 29) while they were covering a demonstration in Nablus, northern West Bank. They were detained and investigated for hours, the photographs on their cellphones and cameras were deleted, and their camera was seized.

Abu Zaid reported to MADA: “After Friday’s prayer, we headed off from Al-Nasr mosque in Nablus to cover a demonstration organized by Hamas. When we reached Hitteen Street, we saw around 50 Palestinian police officers with batons and shields making a human barrier and completely closing the street.”

“I was taking photos with my cellphone, standing between the protesters and the

110 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary police, when one of the policemen held me from my shirt’s collar, pulled my cellphone and dragged me to another person in plainclothes. He told me that he knew my name and that I work for Al-Aqsa TV. I was the first to be arrested. He put me in a small van that can carry only 6 people. They put another 8 persons inside the van and they did not allow us to even open the windows. Later they moved us to a larger bus of the intelligence service and drove us to their headquarters in Jneid prison, in the Rafidia neighborhood. We were asked to put our material to the ground and to face a wall for almost an hour while they were taking our personal information. One of the officers came to me and asked me for my cellphone’s password, which I gave. Half an hour later they gave me back my ID and cellphone after deleting all the photos it contained. I was released at around 2:00 PM.

Ramsat photographer Mahmoud Abdulghani reported to MADA: “I was in the demonstration in Nablus, filming, when one undercover man dragged me from my shoulder and did not let me say a word. Then he put me in the same bus where Tareq was. I was later investigated for a longer period than Tareq. I was released at around 9:00 PM after moving me between four solitary confinement cells in Jneid prison. They asked me about the local TVs I used to work for, and about my political affiliation. They also asked me about Tareq Abu Zaid and my relation with him, as well as the interviews Tareq had recorded.”

Abdulghani pointed out that after the investigation they gave him back all of his belongings except for his camera, which they kept until Saturday 18/10. They gave the camera to the journalists syndicate but without the memory card. Abdulghani took his camera from the syndicate’s headquarter on Wednesday 23/10.

20/10- The IOF arrested Al-Aqsa TV correspondent Mustafa Al-Khawaja (aged 25) from his house in Ni’lin village, west of Ramallah.

His wife Isra’ reported to MADA: “On Monday at around 1:30 AM 40-50 IOF soldiers raided our house. They strongly knocked the door and when I opened it they entered the house in a hurry and asked for my husband’s ID. They seized his 2 cellphones and carefully searched the house, causing a mess to all the furniture and looking into all our papers, including my university books.”

She added: “The IOF captain talked to Mustafa and told him that he was under arrest and could take the clothes he needed. He did not explain the charges against Mustafa. They also raided Mustafa family’s house and damaged the furniture. Until now (21/10) we do not know in which prison they placed him. On 23/10 Mustafa’s detention was expanded for another 12 days that will end on 3/11 according to his family.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 111 Mustafa has been arrested twice in the last seven years, once by the IOF and once by the Palestinian authority. Each time the detention lasted for one week.

21/10- The Palestinian intelligence service arrested the freelance photographer Ghassan Najajra (aged 24) accusing him of raising strife and incitement against the Palestinian security forces.

His wife Fahima Al-Titi reported to MADA: “On 12/10 the Palestinian intelligence service came to our house in Nahaleen village, near Bethlehem , and told Ghassan that he should go to their headquarters on the next day. They did not hand him the order, fearing that he would publish it on Facebook. On the next day, Ghassan went to their headquarters but no one investigated him until 4:00 PM. Then they released him, giving him another summons to come back on 21/10.”

She added: “Ghassan went on 21/10 but he did not come back home and he was investigated for four days. Later they expanded the detention for another 15 days that will end on 6/11.”

Ghassan’s lawyer Subhi Shakarne reported to MADA: “Ghassan is detained for different accusations including raising strife and incitement against the Palestinian security forces. These accusations might be based on his publications on his Facebook page.” He added: “The accusation has not been officially stated yet. Ghassan is detained until the holding of the court session on Thursday 6/11.”

Ghassan’s wife assured that her husband did not criticize the authority or published anything against it. (He was released on 6/11)

21/10- The IOF assaulted Wattan news agency cameraman Muhammad Awad (aged 27) after raiding his house.

Awad reported to MADA: “On 21/10 at around 2:00 AM, a large number of Israeli forces raided my house in Budrus village, west of Ramallah. They dragged me to the floor and questioned me. Then an argument erupted between me and them when they asked for the house residents’ names and ID numbers. As a result, five soldiers beat my brother and I, and then they left the place.”

22/10- The Palestinian Preventive Security Forces arrested freelance journalistand volunteer at Anin Al-Qayd news network Abdullah Shatat (aged 24) from Beita village,Nablus.

His mother reported to MADA: “On Wednesday 22/10, while Abdullah was at the oil -press, four undercover members of the preventive security forces raided the place. When Abdullah refused to go with them as he was afraid that they would kidnap him,

112 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary they shot bullets and arrested him.”

She added: “On Thursday 23/10 Abdullah appeared in front of the general prosecutor who decided to expand his detention for 15 days with charges of fighting against the security forces and slandering the Palestinian Authority. He is now detained at the preventive security headquarter in Silfit, being investigated and banned from visits.”

24/10 - The Israeli occupation Police officer twice assaulted Al-Quds Net correspondent and photographer Diala Jweihan while she was covering a demonstration in Jerusalem. One of the officers threw stun grenades at her, causing burns in her left leg.

Jweihan reported to MADA: “Jerusalem witnessed demonstrations in different places including Wadi Joz in protest for the non-release of the body of martyr Abdulrahman Shalloudi and the interdiction of access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for people under 40 years old. The Israeli forces cracked down on the demonstration I was attending by spreading waste water with a very bad smell which caused me cramps and vomiting. I was treated on the field.”

“Half an hour later, a number of undercover police officers arrested 3 young men. The IOF asked us (Palestinian journalists) to move away from the place. They did not ask the foreign journalists to do the same. I went far away from the crowd to take photos and one of the officers chased me and threw a stun grenade between my legs, although I had followed his calls and stayed far away showing my journalist card. The grenade caused minor burns in my left thigh and I was treated on site by the paramedics. I was later moved to the Kubat Holim clinic where they gave me antibiotics and bandaged the burns.”

24/10- Nader Bebars, Sabah Al-Khair Ya Quds program producerand Palestinian Public TV emergency cameraman, was hit by two rubber bullets shot by the Israeli occupation police while he was covering clashes in Jerusalem.

Bebars reported to MADA: “I was in the Al-Suwwana neighborhood in Jerusalem taking photos far away from the clashes that were taking place everywhere. While I was filming the Israeli police throwing stuns grenades at a family crossing the main street, I was exposed to Israeli rubber bullets shots. Two bullets hit me, one in my left arm and the other in my back. I got first aid in the ambulance, which was hit by a stun grenade and 3 bullets shot by the Israeli police.”

25/10- The Israeli ocupation authority prevented Shihab news agency in West Bank correspondent Amer Abu Arafe (aged 31) from traveling while he was on his way to participate in a social media forum in Jordan.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 113 Abu Arafe reported to MADA: “I was heading to Jordan via Allenby Bridge to participate in the first social media forum but the Israelis prevented me from travelling. They seized my passport for two hours and when they gave it back to me, there was a small paper inside it stating that I was not allowed to travel for security reasons.”

27/10- AP photographer Majdi Mohamed Eshtayye (aged 32) was hit by four rubber bullets shot by the IOF with while he was covering a demonstration in the Palestinian village of Silwan, adjacent to the Old City of Jerusalem.

Eshtayye reported to MADA: “Following the funerals of martyr Urwa Hamed (aged 14), killed by the IOF on Friday in Silwad, north- east of Ramallah, clashes erupted between the IOF and the Palestinian youth. I went with other journalists to cover the clashes and while we were standing far away from the protesters, an Israeli military vehicle stopped next to us and shot a bunch of rubber bullets us (14 iron bullets covered with rubber). We were all journalists and there were no protesters among us. Three bullets hit my journalist safety vest and a fourth one hit my right arm near the elbow. I fell to the ground as a result.”

Eshtayye added that one of the bullets broke the camera of his colleague (a freelance photographer from Switzerland, Lazar Simonov, aged 30)

29/10- The Palestinian intelligence services prevented the blogger and ex-anchorman Ali Qaraqe’ (aged 24) from travelling through Allenby Bridge. They interrogated him about his writings on the Internet.

Qaraqe’ reported to MADA: “I was at the Allenby Bridge frontier post to go to Jordan. As I showed my passport to the Palestinian officers manning the crossing, I was told to wait and prevented from traveling. Five minutes later, the Palestinian officers (I did not know if they were from the police or intelligence services) started interrogating me. It lasted for half an hour, I was asked about the reasons of my travel and whether I was coming back or not. They also asked me if I had ever been investigated by the Palestinian forces, as well as my political affiliation and my activism on the internet, especially Facebook. They asked for my Facebook password but I refused to give them since it is personal, but the officer threatened me that he might forcibly log in.”

He added: “I was released and asked to go to the intelligence headquarters in Bethlehem on 2/11.”

30/10- The Palestinian police arrested Al-Asreyye College media student Khalid Jameel Thyab (aged 25) while he was taking photos in a vegetable market in Ramallah. They detained him for hours, punched him, and threatened to sue him if he revealed what happened.

114 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Thyab reported to MADA: “On Thursday 30/10 at around 4:00 PM I was taking photos in the vegetables market of Ramallah when one police officer stopped me and banned me from taking photos, claiming that I did not have a permit from the Information Ministry to do so. He took me to his superior who asked to check my university ID and ordered to arrest me.”

Thyab added: “They dragged me to the police station in Ramallah and one of the officers told me that we (journalists) ruin the country. He asked me to delete the photos I had taken and when I refused they took me to the investigation room. I waited for an hour without being interrogated. Then a police officer came and detained me for another hour. Another officer came and told me that I had done nothing wrong but they just wanted to teach me a lesson. I told him that I did not need this, and he put me back in detention. I kicked the door and 5 of the police handcuffed me and beat me. One of them kept beating me on the face, causing me a black eye, and hit my head to the wall many times.”

He added: “Two hours later, an officer came to apologize and warned me not to mention what had happened to me to human rights organizations or media outlets. He made me understand that he would charge me of punching a police officer at Al- Manara square if I talked about what happened to me in the police station. He also told me that if I wanted to take photos in the future, I would have to tell the police beforehand to get protection. They released me at 8:30 PM. I did not get any medical treatment.”

30/10- The Israeli police assaulted and severely beat the volunteerfreelance correspondent at Huna Al-Quds network Hazem Zeyad Sandouqa (aged 22) while he was covering clashes in Jerusalem. They detained him, forced him to delete the photos he had taken, and threatened to assault him again if he took photos in the future.

Sandouqa reported to MADA: “I was at Bab Al-Asbat (Lions Gate) to cover the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshippers; it was 4:30 AM. I heard one of the Israeli soldiers saying: “bring Sandouqa.” They know me because I often cover clashes in Jerusalem; I have made many videos of Israeli police assaulting the women of Al-Aqsa defending the holy compound. A police officer took me from the Lions Gate and 5 soldiers attacked me and brutally beat me. They dragged me to a detention place and seized my cellphone. They beat me again harshly with metal objects; it looked as if they were getting their revenge against me. They asked me about my work and accused me of assisting the assassination attempt of the Jewish extremist Yehuda Glick.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 115 Sandouqa added: “They took me to Al-Qashle police station. I could not stand on my feet anymore due to their blows. There, I was severely beaten again. The officer told me to delete all the data contained in my cellphone, including videos, or they would bring me to court and arrest me for three months. I agreed due to my health condition and deleted all the videos. The officer also warned me not to go filming in the field again or face violent treatment.”

He added: “I was detained and beaten for 5 hours, and later they released me. I got medical treatment at Majd medical center in Al-Musrara neighborhood. I have bruises all over my body. The doctor bandaged my left wrist which was about to break, as well as my left thigh.”

30/10- The Israeli military court renewed the detention of Al-Aqsa TV West Bank manager Aziz Haroun Kayed (aged 55) for another 4 months.

His daughter Maryam reported to MADA: “On 30/10 the detention of my father was renewed for the second time for another four months. The court decision was issued the day that my father was supposed to be released.”

She added that the next court session will be held on Tuesday 4/11 to confirm the extension of his new administrative detention.

The Israeli occupation forces arrested Kayed on the night of 17/6/2014 at his house in Ramallah.

31/10- The IOF detained Palestine Public TV correspondent Ali Dar Ali while he was filming clashes in the village of Silwad, north-east of Ramallah, and took him to a detention center located in an Israeli settlement.

Dar Ali reported to MADA: “I was standing on a roof in Silwad to cover a protest of solidarity with Al-Aqsa Mosque and the subsequent clashes with the IOF. When I finished, I went down and one Israeli soldier asked me to leave the place. I told him that I am a journalist and was just doing my job, and that I was far away from both the protestors and the IOF. He asked for my ID but I did not have it with me and had to go and get it. He did not wait for it and told me that I was under arrest. They handcuffed me, seized my cellphone and my journalist safety vest, and drove me to the investigation center of the Sha’er Ben Yameen settlement. Along the way they asked for my ID number and birth date. There I was detained for three hours without any investigation, and they released me after the intervention of the Palestinian security liaison office.”

116 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 31/10- The Palestinian preventive security forces summoned Shihab news agency West Bank correspondent Abdul Halim Abu Arafa(aged 31) and Orient News TV correspondent Samer Rweished(aged 26) at a checkpoint at the entrance of Hebron. They were accused of mocking the Palestinian security forces.

Photo by AP photographer Majdi Eshtayye

Abu Arafa reported to MADA: “Samer and I were going back from Bethlehem and drove past a checkpoint manned by the Palestinian security forces at the northern entrance of the city of Hebron. They examined the car and seized our IDs although we told them we were journalists. They asked us to go on the next day (Saturday) to the security forces headquarters in Hebron. We went, and there we were interrogated by a person called Imad who told us that we were accused of mocking the security forces when they had stopped us at the checkpoint the day before. That was not true and we denied. He told us that they can chase us and detain us whenever they want. Eventually they gave us back our IDs and released us.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 117 Details of Violations

NOVEMBER

2/11- Two Israeli soldiers assaulted Huna Al-Quds network volunteer journalist Hazem Sandouka (aged 22) while he was covering the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Sandouka reported to MADA: “I was standing near Bab Hutta in Jerusalem to take photos of the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque (the Israelis forbade access to men under the age of 40). One of the soldiers pushed me and when I walked away he followed me and attacked me with another soldier. They both beat me with their hands and legs before an officer came and ordered them to leave me.”

3/11 The Israeli police assaulted Bait Al-Maqdes news agency and Himma News correspondent Liwa’ Abu Rmeleh (aged 23) while she was covering events in Jerusalem. Abu Rmeleh reported to MADA: “I was taking photos of the Israeli police assaulting one of the Al-Aqsa Women Guards while she was saying “Allahu Akbar” (after the Israeli Knesset vice-president Shuli Mualem Rafaeli had entered theAl- Aqsa compound). The police beat the Palestinian woman very hard. As I was trying to document this with photos, an Israeli female police officer pushed me twice and kicked me with her foot. She also hit me with something on my head and my right arm, shouting at me not to take photos.”

3/11- The Israeli occupation forces detained Palestine Public TV staff while they were going to cover the destruction of facilities near Qalqilya city north of West Bank. The TV cameraman Mohammad Inaya (aged 23) reported to MADA: “Correspondent Ahmad Shawer, driver Ayman Nazzal and I wen to cover the destruction of facilities near Qalqilya, right behind the Apartheid wall. We had not coordinated with the security to go there. Some Israeli soldiers came and wanted to seize our IDs, journalism cards and cellphones but we refused and told them that we are journalists and that they should not treat us this way. As a result they took us to Tsofem Camp. They detained us and inspected our car twice. They also tried to know if I had filmed them while arresting us. After that, the Israeli liaison officer in Qalqilya came and talk to us in a provoking way. He said that we were not allowed to be there, even for filming. We were detained in the car for three hours. The Palestinian military liaison intervened and we were eventually released. Our identity and press cards were returned to us.”

3/11- The IOF assaulted Reuter’s cameraman Adel Abu Ne’meh (aged 45) while he was covering bulldozing operations in Jericho city. Abu Ne’meh reported to MADA: “We headed to cover the bulldozing of agricultural land in Yashe’ area, near the Security Forces headquarters in Jericho. An Israeli soldier came to me and told me

118 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary that I was not allowed to film although I was standing far away and wearing the Press vest. When I asked for an official document confirming the filming interdiction, the soldier raised his hand to hit me. I held his hand and did not let him strike me. Some soldiers then came to stop the row.”

He added: “The following day, I got a phone call from the Israeli intelligence service ordering me to go to their headquarters because the soldier who had assaulted me had filed a complaint against me. I refused to go and I told them to call the Palestinian liaison office.”

4/11- The Palestinian Intelligence service summoned for investigation Al-Aqsa TV correspondent in Hebron Ala’ Al-Titi (aged 32) and detained him for six days. His brother Abdul Qader told MADA: “Intelligence service officers were deployed around our house, watching Ala’. They did not enter the house and called some of Ala’s friends to tell him to go to their headquarters in Hebron for a cup of coffee. Ala’ went there at 6:30-7:00 pm and did not return home. The Intelligence service told us not to publish anything about the summons of Ala’ but we did after 12:00 am. The lawyer tried to visit him but they did not allow him until he brought an official document from the prosecution. In the afternoon he appeared in front of the prosecutor and they extended his detention for 24 hours.”

Al-Titi reported to MADA: “When I arrived at their headquarters, they took my ID and cellphone and led me to the investigation section. Then they took me to the medical services and to the prison. On Thursday morning (6/11) I appeared in front of the prosecution and I was detained for 24 hours. Later they extended again my detention for 48 hours until Sunday. But on Sunday they extended my detention for another 24 hours. I was released on Monday but they asked me to bring my computer to inspect it.”

He added: “The investigation was about my work at Al-Aqsa TV and about financial matters. They wanted to know about 3,600 $ I had received. The money corresponded to three months of salary unpaid during the Israeli attack on Gaza but they accused me of money laundering. They also talked about my journalistic covering of political arrests and of the Palestinian Security forces’ abuses of protestors during the attack on Gaza. In addition, they asked me about my connections with Gaza, especially my phone conversations with Salah Al-Bardaweel (member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, member of Hamas Political Bureau, and chairman of Al-Aqsa network). They kept me in solitary confinement in bad conditions, and then moved me to a collective room until the night of my release. I was not subjected to violence or torture.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 119 I was not given a date for my trial. I did not appear in front of any court or judge during my detention, except for the prosecutor. They kept my computer and mobile phone until 23/11.”

5/11- The correspondent of Bait Al-Maqdes and Himma news agencies Liwa’ Abu Rmeleh (aged 23) was shot with two rubber bullets while she was covering events in Jerusalem on 5/11. Abu Rmeleh reported to MADA: “While I was covering the clashes in the Old City of Jerusalem after the death of Ibrahim Al-Akkari, I was shot with a rubber bullet in my right leg. My leg started turning blue and I got field treatment. The following day I went to Al-Hikma medical center in Jerusalem and the doctor told me to rest for a week. He also found out that I had been shot with a rubber bullet in my back as well, but the injury was minor.”

8/11- The Internal Security forces in Gaza arrested the blogger and writer Hazem Salame (aged 40) and interrogated him for his writings on Facebook. Salame reported to MADA: “At around 10:30, the investigators went to my house and left a summons to go to their headquarters. They also called me on my phone and told me that I should go there immediately. I went at 11:00 and was taken to the Passports investigation section. They interrogated me about my articles, especially one untitled “What is happening in Gaza” dealing with the latest explosions targeting Fatah leaders. They also asked me who I ‘serve.’ They beat me and cursed throughout the investigation. They also accused me of spying, of being in contact with Mohammad Dahlan, and of taking part in Fatah’s preparation of the commemorations of the death of Yasser Arafat.”

He added: “I was detained in a confinement cell in bad conditions, without even a mattress to sleep on. The following day they interrogated me again. I was released on Sunday at around 1:30 but asked to go to the Internal Security headquarter at Ansar.”

I went there on Monday and they interrogated me three times. The questions regarded my article on the latest explosions in Gaza. When I told them that many journalists wrote about this subject, they said that my situation was different since I am related to Fatah. The last thing the officer told me is to break my pen otherwise they would teach me a lesson. The interrogation lasted from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. They did not assault me.”

11/11- The Palestinian Security forces prevented Al-Quds TV correspondent Linda Shalash (aged 27) from covering the commemorations of the death of Yasser Arafat from the roof of Pal Media, located in front of the presidential headquarters (Al- Muqata’a). Shalash reported to MADA: “I was on the roof of Pal Media to cover the

120 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary commemorating event when undercover officers came and asked me to stop filming and to put the microphone on the ground. One of them told me to stop talking and he closed the camera lens with his hand. When I asked them if they were doing this because I work for Al-Quds TV he did not answer and told me to leave and forget about it.”

She added: “Russia Today TV was covering the event from the same location but only my colleague and I were prevented from covering. When we later asked about the reason they replied that it was because we did not have the necessary authorization from the security service to be inside the security perimeter. My colleague and I had not even tried to enter Al-Muqata’a because we knew that they would not let us, as they always refuse. In any case we did not even need to cover the event since we can get reports from Pal Media which supplies many media outlets.”

11/11- The car of Pal Media Film section manager Fadi Madi (aged 33) was hit by a stone thrown by Israeli settlers while he was going home in Salfit. Madi reported to MADA: “On my way home, near Ofra settlement, settlers in a Land Rover car threw stones at a car in front of me. After hitting the ground, one of these stones rebounded on my car, breaking the dash board and the radiator. A few minutes later, the car’s oil and water started leaking on street.”

13/11- The IOF detained Huna Al-Quds chief editor Mazen Awwad (aged 35) for two hours at the Huwwara checkpoint. They inspected his car and damaged it in the process. Awwad reported to MADA: “While I was passing by the Huwwara checkpoint at 7:00 with my colleague, the Israeli stopped us. They told us to get out of the car, which has the Press sign on it, and they seized our IDs. The officer asked me where I work and I told him that I am a journalist. Few minutes later, the situation started becoming tense. They took me behind the watch tower where they detained me and asked me to take off my clothes. They also inspected my car carefully, threw all its content on the floor and cut cables inside. The officer told me that the dog they were using for the inspection was very nervous and asked me what I had inside the car. I replied that I had nothing. After two hours of thorough inspection, the officer told me to collect all my belongings and leave. I felt that the whole thing was a military training for a group of female soldiers who were there attending the inspection.”

14/11- The freelance journalist Haitham Al-Khatib (aged 38) was hit by 4 tear gas canisters thrown by the IOF while he was covering a peaceful demonstration in Bil’in, west of Ramallah. Al-Khatib reported to MADA: “The IOF was banning the protestors from entering the village. While I was standing between demonstrators and the IOF,

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 121 the soldiers started throwing many tear gas bombs at the protestors. I was directly targeted with four of these bombs, even though I was somewhat away from the soldiers and wearing my journalism vest.”

He added: “The first bomb hit my left thigh, and the other three ones hit my protective vest. I got treatment on the site and there was no need to go to the hospital.”

17/11- An Israeli police officer threatened Panet and “Good Morning Jerusalem” programin the Palestinian Public TV cameraman Ameer Abd Rabbo (aged 23) and banned him from covering a sit-in in Jerusalem. Abed Rabbo reported to MADA: “I went to Bab Al-Silsila in the Old City of Jerusalem to cover a sit-in of the Al-Aqsa Women Guards protesting against a ban impeding them from entering the mosque. At the gate, an Israeli soldier asked me whether I had a permit to enter and I replied that another officer had allowed me in. He called the officer, who assured him that he had indeed authorized me to go in, but he still refused to let me enter. Instead, he threatened of arresting me and bringing me to Bet Yahu investigation center if I did not obey his orders. There were no other journalists in the place and the soldier looked really serious so I left the place.”

18/11- The IOF arrested Mahmoud Osaili (aged 31) for his writings on Facebook. His wife Yassmine reported to MADA: “On 18/11, while Mahmoud was at work, the Israeli Police brought an order saying that he had to go to their headquarters. They also called him to assure that. We both went to Al-Maskoubiyya investigation center in Jerusalem city. After waiting for 3 hours, an officer said that my husband was under arrest and told me to call a lawyer. The next day, they held a court session for his case and the Intelligence prosecution demanded a postponement until Sunday 23/11. They accused him of writing inciting and racist messages against Jews and Druze on Facebook. They also interrogated him about Ibrahim Al-Akkari’s attack (he ran into pedestrians with his car in Jerusalem). Al-Akkari is our neighbor and they said that Mahmoud encouraged him to execute his attack. They also said that his writings on Facebook incited Oday and Ghassan Abu Jamal (who attacked a Jewish synagogue in Jerusalem) since he had published a video on his page defending Palestinians killed by Israelis after a Druze had posted Al-Akkari’s picture with the caption “Go to hell.” The Israelis linked Mahmoud posts on Facebook with the recent violent attacks in Jerusalem and said that he might work for a terrorist group, possibly Hamas. It appeared later that they arrested Mahmoud after a complaint filed by Druze people.”

She added: “On Sunday they delayed the court session for another two days and they interrogated me for 7 hours, asking whether I agreed with what Mahmoud writes on Facebook and about my political affiliation. During the court session on Tuesday,

122 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary they said that after investigating both Mahmoud and I they had found “confidential material” filed by the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency). Even our lawyer Namir Idliby was not allowed to know what that material was.

A court session was held on 1/12. Mahmoud was accused of incitement against Jews and Druze. A new court session is planned for Friday 5/12. The lawyer thinks that he will either be released or sentenced.

Yassmine added that her husband was subjected to severe torture while he was detained. Mahmoud appeared in very bad shape during the court session.

18/11- Reuters’ photographer Abdul Rahman Qousini (aged 46) was severely injured while he was covering clashes between the IOF and Palestinians in Ourif village, near Nablus. Al-Qousini reported to MADA: “On 18/11 I went to cover the attack of a secondary school by settlers. The settlers were throwing stones at the school. When the villagers came out with cudgels and stones, the IOF came to pull the settlers away. There were clashes between the IOF and the Palestinians, the soldiers were firing many rubber bullets and tear gas bombs. While I was fleeing from the place, a stone hit me in the testicle causing bleeding and swelling. I was taken to Rafidia hospital for treatment.

Qousini said: “Two Israeli officers used journalists as human shields by hiding behind them during the clashes so that the Palestinians’ stones would not hit them. At the same time the Borders’ guards were trying to put us away from the place.”

19/11- The Palestinian Intelligence Service raided the house of Filasteen newspaper colmunist Lama Khater (aged 38) in Hebron and seized her laptop and some family official documents. Abu Khater reported to MADA: “The day following the arrest of my husband (who works as a computer engineer), the Intelligence service raided our house in Hebron at 9:30 pm. They inspected the house and seized 2 laptops, an external hard disk, several CDs, 2 broken cameras and private documents.”

She added: “On the next day (Thursday 20/11) at the same time, 30 members of the Palestinian Intelligence service tried again to raid our house. They attempted to enter but I locked the door and did not allow them in. They tried to break the door and my brothers-in-law prevented them. The Intelligence men beat them and tried to arrest one of them. They eventually left without managing to enter as numerous relatives and neighbors had come to help.”

Khater said that their seized possession had not been returned to them, and that every time they ask for them they are told that they are still under inspection.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 123 She said further: “I think they arrested my husband to pressure me, and not only because he is considered to have relations with Hamas. This is not the first time, each time they ask him to put pressure on me so that I reduce my journalism activities. I have been summoned for investigation in the past but I went just once, in 2010, and was interrogated about my journalism activity.”

20/11- The Palestinian Investigation service arrested Al-Quds University Media student Ayman Al-Mahareeq (aged 23). His brother Ahmad and his lawyer Muhannad Karaja reported to MADA that he was arrested on Thursday 20/11 in Ramallah and that his detention was extended for another 48 hours. On Sunday he was sentenced to another 15 days of imprisonment by the court after a request made by the prosecution on the basis of an investigation file accusing him of sedition and insult of the security forces on Facebook (where he criticized the Palestinian government’s comments about the latest events in Jerusalem).

Ahmad and Karaja said they visited him several times in Beitunia prison and that it was obvious that he had been severely beaten. The lawyer requested a release on bail but has not been given a reply yet.

21/11- Chinese news agency photographer Ma’moun Wazwaz’ camera was damaged by a steal bullet while he was covering clashes in Hebron. Wazwaz reported to MADA: “There were heavy clashes in Hebron between the IOF and Palestinian youth during a demonstration in solidarity with Al-Aqsa Mosque. The IOF fired loads of stun and tear gas grenades. While I was covering the clashes, and Israeli sniper shot at my camera with a steal rubber coated bullet. The bullet broke the lens. Without the presence of the camera, the bullet would have hit my eye directly.”

22/11- The Palestinian Intelligence services summoned Al-Fajr Al-Jadeed local TV news editor in Tulkarem Sami Al-Sai. They interrogated him about his writings on Facebook and asked him to stop publishing comments. Sai reported to MADA: “On 22/11 late at night, I received a phone call from the Palestinian Intelligence telling me that I should go to their headquarters on the next day. I went there at 9:00 am and waited for 45 minutes before being interrogated. The questions lasted for an hour and a half. The atmosphere was cordial. They asked me about my writings on Facebook which deal with the hard times the Palestinian people are going through, especially in Jerusalem. They told me that I should not incite people to protest in Jerusalem. According to the interrogator, I gave others the opportunity to criticize the Palestinian security forces. They told me that the way I write affects people in Tulkarem. I was not abused during the investigation.”

124 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 23/11 The European Press photo Agency (EPA) photographer Abdul Hafiz Al- Hashlamoon (aged 47) was shot with a rubber bullet by the IOF while he was covering clashes in Hebron. Al-Hashlamoon reported to MADA: “On 23/11 at 10:00 I was covering a sit-in of teachers and students in protest for the closure of the school entrance by the IOF after the burning of the Container checkpoint in that same street the past Friday (21/11). Israeli soldiers came to disperse the demonstrators and threw stun and teargas canisters. While I was taking photos from a distant location, I was shot at by the IOF with a rubber bullet that injured my right leg. It was the only rubber bullet that was shot at that moment. I got treatment on site.”

24/11- The Palestinian Preventive Security forces arrested Al-Quds University Media student Abdul Qader Abu Rahma (aged 20) for his writings on Facebook. His father Mohammad told MADA: “On Monday Abdul Qader went to the Preventive Security headquarters in Ramallah because our neighbor, who works for them, had told us that Abdul Qader’s name is included in a list of persons they want to arrest for their writings on Facebook. He has not returned home until this moment.”

His lawyer Mustafa Wahdan said that Abdul Qader is accused of lese-majesty (criticizing the president) in his writings on Facebook. His detention was extended for 48 hours by the general prosecution, and for another 15 days on 27/11.”

Wahdan added: “We requested a release on bail but it was rejected. I was promised that Abdul Qader would be released on Thursday 5/12.” According to Wahdan, Abdul Qader does not seem to have been tortured or badly treated.

25/11- The Palestinian Preventive Security Forces summoned Al-Quds University Media student Mu’tasem Qarmash (aged 26). Qarmash reported to MADA: “On Tuesday the Preventive Security forces summoned me to their headquarters. So far I have refused to go. I know why they summoned me. I have gone to a similar investigation in the past; it was about my political affiliation and activities inthe university. Until now I have not received other summons.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 125 28/11- The IOF used a journalist as human shield while he was covering clashes in Nablus. Xinhua news agency photographer Nidal Eshtayye (aged 45) reported to MADA: “The IOF do not always manage to assault the protestors directly so they assault the journalists instead out of anger. While my colleague Ala’ Badarne and I were standing between the IOF and the protestors during a weekly demonstration in Kafr Qadoum, near Qalqilya, an Israeli officer used Ala’ as a human shield. He stayed behind Ala’ to protect himself from the stones and prevented him from leaving. I ran away and went back to the middle of the street to take photos. Then a soldier came and pushed me. Ala’ stayed there with the officer behind him until he managed to flee the place.”

28/11 Quds.net correspondent Diala Jwehan received a threat from an anonymous on her Gmail chat who told her to close her Facebook account. Jwehan reported to MADA: “An anonymous sent me a message on my Gmail chat threatening me to close my Facebook account as he closed many other accounts, telling me that Facebook is wasting people’s time and turning a blind eye on freeing Al-Aqsa mosque.”

Jwehan says it might be someone from a group who call themselves “Nabeel Al- Quds”. They are anonymous and they recently appeared on Facebook, she says this is not the first time she gets threatened, since someone has previously threatened her if she does not cut her relation with a colleague who works in media.

29/11 The Palestinian Preventive Security forces raided the house of Al-Quds University Media student and freelance journalist Mus’ab Sa’eed. They inspected his house and told his family that he had to go to their headquarters. Sa’eed reported to MADA: “Numerous Preventive Security officers raided my house in Birzeit at around 9:00 pm. They did not have a search warrant. There were armed and plain-clothed officers. They inspected my room and seized my ID and several summonses I had received in the past. They also seized press reports I wrote at university and which deal with the activities of the Islamic student block. They also threatened my family and told them that I had to go to their headquarters, saying: ‘He has until tomorrow 10:00 am maximum. If he does not come, we will stay in your house until he does.’”

Sa’eed added: “I did not obey and contacted instead the Journalists’ syndicate which told me they would follow up with the Preventive Security forces.”

He said: “On 1/12 after taking the advice of a lawyer of the Journalists syndicate and consulting a relative who works at the Preventive Security, I decided to go to there. They interrogated me about my activity as a journalist and my work for Anin Al-Qayd news agency. They also asked me to give my sources of information on the subject of prisoners but I refused since no one has the right to know them. They asked as well

126 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary about the activities of the Islamic (student) block, and my personal involvement in them. The investigation was interrupted as the investigator had to work on something else but he asked me to come back on Wednesday 3/12. I was treated well during the investigation.”

Mus’ab added that the Preventive Security forces told his brother (who was also interrogated) that he is no longer wanted by them.”

Photo by AP photographer Majdi Eshtayye

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 127 Details of Violations

DECEMBER

1/12- A statement signed by the so-called Islamic State in Gaza was released, directly threatening 18 journalists, writers and poets from the Gaza Strip, accused of apostasy and insult to Islam and God.

This statement, which is not the first of its kind from ISIS in Gaza, accused those journalists and artists of immoral writings, and threatened that the Islamic State will indict them of apostasy if they do not return to Islam.

The following journalists and writers were targeted: Dunia Al-Amal Ismael, Khaled Jum’a, Ali Abu Khattab, Dua’ Kamal, Iyad Al-Bal’awi, Atef Abu Saif, Hussam Ma’rouf, Mohammad Al-Sheik Yousef, Othman Hussein, Nidal Al-Fq’awi, Akram Al-Sorani, Yousef Al-Qadra, Sahar Mousa, Samah Al-Sheik Deeb, Manal Miqdad, Ahmad Yaqoub, Naser Rabah, and Wissam Oweida.

The writer Dunia Ismael reported to MADA on 24/12: “I and the other mentioned writers and journalists received the statement in our e-mail box a day before it was published and distributed to universities and the media. The email, in which the statement was attached, read: “We send you this statement a day before we distribute it. We warned you, and may God witness.” She explained that the email address sending the message was closed three days after the statement was published.

She added: “On 2/12 I filed a complaint with the general prosecutor in Gaza, Ismael Jaber. We later organized a sit-in in front of the general prosecutor office to urge the security officials in Gaza to take action.”

She observed that the authorities did not deal with the complaint seriously and underestimated the statement, saying that ISIS is not present in Gaza and that the security forces are careful to protect everybody. She added that her colleague Manal Miqdad also filed a complaint on 3/12 but the general prosecution refused to take it.

She said further: “We tried to meet with the general prosecutor but they prevented us. After we made a sit-in, they let three of us meet him together with an employee from the ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abu Suhaib Madi. Akram Sorani, Manal Miqdad and I sat with them for two hours but nothing came out of it until now.” She regards this as a failure in following-up with the issue, and pointed out that another statement was released threatening to bomb the French Cultural Center in Gaza few days after they published the statement threatening the 18 journalists and writers was released.

128 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 2/12 The internal security in Gaza summoned the journalist Mohammad Awad (aged 27) and interrogated him about his journalistic work during the latest Israeli attack on Gaza.

Awad reported to MADA: “I received a summons from the internal security in Gaza on Tuesday and I went there on time. They asked me about the reasons of my travel to Turkey, where I stayed for 6 months. They also wanted to know whom I met and worked with, in addition to investigating about my journalism work during the attack on Gaza. They accused me of working with suspicious people, especially with a journalist from West Bank (he refused to mention her name), but I refused all these accusations.”

Awad added: “During the investigation they searched my laptop and phone and checked my Facebook page. Later I figured out that they had deleted everything on my phone’s memory as well as some comments. At around 1 pm they released me.”

2/12- The Preventive Security Forces arrested Baha’ Yaser al-Jayyousi (aged 36) two weeks after the Palestinian Intelligence services summoned him for investigation, accusing him of vilifying prominent persons on his Facebook page.

His brother Mohammad and his lawyer Jaser Khalil reported to MADA that on Tuesday a unit from the Preventive Security raided the supermarket where Baha’ works and arrested him. On the next day, the prosecution expanded his detention for another 48 hours to complete the investigation.

On Thursday they expanded the arrest for another 15 days after Tulkarem’s mayor filed a complaint against him accusing him of vilifying VIPs on Facebook, according to his lawyer Jasser Khalil. He explained that the intelligence services interrogated him for 2 hours about the political situation in general and about his criticism of the PA. They told him that he is one of them, that “his political affiliation is with Fatah” and therefore he should not criticize them.

After his release, Baha’ reported to MADA: “On the second day of my detention, they accused me of vilification and slander because of a post some of my relatives posted on my Facebook page on the day of my arrest. I did not know what the main charge against me was. It seemed that the order came from an important person, I think it was Tulkarem’s mayor.”

He added: “My detention was prolonged for 48 hours by the prosecution and for another 5 days by the court. On Monday 8/12, after the judge saw that my file had not been examined yet, he read the accusation which was ‘destabilizing security’ and expanded my detention for another 7 days unless I had a warranty. My lawyer signed

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 129 a 1,000 Jordanian Dinars personal warranty, which was approved at the next court session on 14/1, further to which I was released.”

3/12- The Palestinian preventive security service arrested Al-Quds university media student Islam Za’al Salem (aged 23), accusing him of publishing inciting posts against the Palestinian Authority on his Facebook page.

His wife Yassmine Badawne reported to MADA: “On Wednesday Islam received a phone call while he was at university, asking him to ‘surrender’ to the Preventive Security unit. Although they did not send him a formal summons as he had asked, he went to their headquarters after his classes.”

The lawyer Ala’ Salim (who is also his sister) reported: “The court session was held on 4/12 accusing Islam of ‘inciting sectarian strife’ and of publishing inciting messaged against the Palestinian authority. He was accused of this for the reason of managing a page on Facebook entitled “Shabab Al-Balad” (“the youth of the country”) where he posts news from news agencies. His detention was extended for 15 days.”

On 7/12 the lawyer submitted a request to the head of the prosecution to release Islam, and supplied with his exams schedule that start on 14/12. The head of the prosecution promised to consider this on 10/12 Islam was released, he reported to MADA : “I was released on 10/12 with an unpaid 1,000 JD warranty and a pledge that I should be present at the court session (they did not set the date yet). They interrogated me about the reasons why the Israelis arrested me and about the period I stayed in jail, as well as the Facebook page I am managing. They also asked me about Hamas’ preparations and activities for the celebration of its founding. On 21/12 I went to their headquarters and they interrogated me again in a friendly manner. The investigator asked me my opinion as a journalist about the bombing that happened in Gaza and the demonstrations supporting Mohammed Dahlan against the president Mahmoud Abbas. At last he asked me to write less on Facebook and he told me that they would call me again if they needed me.”

3/12- The President’s political consultant Nimr Hammad has orally informed the journalist Ahmad Zaki that he was dismissed from his position as manager of the news section at the Palestinian Public TV.

130 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary Zaki was dismissed for criticizing the TV for hosting the Egyptian Fara’in TV maneger Tawfiq Okasha. Zaki reported to MADA: “I have been orally informed that I had been dismissed from my position at the TV on 3/12 by Nimr Hammad.” Zaki thinks that the dismissal was due to the fact that he opposed and criticized on Facebook the hosting of Tawfiq Okasha who called for the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza. He said also on his Facebook page that the interview of Okasha was made by Awda TV and that the Palestinian Public TV only broadcasted it.

Zaki added: “What I wrote on Facebook caused uproar in the media. They accused me of criticizing indirectly the President even though I was only defending the media outlet I work for.”Zaki said that he did not receive a written dismiss notice until 28/12.

Note: The hosting of Tawfiq Okasha by the Palestinian Public TV caused wide criticism among the Palestinian people because Okasha insulted Palestinians in his TV show on “Al-Fara’in”TV.

3/12- The Preventive Security service summoned Ahrar Al-Asra journalist and human rights activist Mahmoud Matar Milhim (aged 26).

Milhim reported to MADA: “I received a phone call telling me to go to the preventive service headquarter in Jenin. I asked for a formal summon since a mere summons by phone call is not legal. This also happened to me 5 months ago and I refused to go. I think they want to interrogate me about a video I posted on Facebook criticizing the hosting of Tawfiq Okasha on the Palestinian Public TV. One of my relatives who works with them confirmed it to me.”

5/12- The Palestinian Public TV cameraman Bashar Mahmoud Nazzal (aged 36) was severely injured by the Israeli forces who shot at him with a silencer weapon while he was covering the weekly demonstration against the apartheid wall in Kafr Qadoum.

Nazzal reported to MADA: “I went to Kafr Qadoum after Friday prayer to cover the weekly demonstration. There were Israeli jeeps, wastewater tanks and snipers. The IOF started spraying the wastewater and after a while the soldiers deliberately shot at me with a single bullet. The bullet hit my leg and exploded there. I was shot at while I was standing far away from the protesters.”

He added: “The bullet caused severe injuries in my left leg and broke bones. On Saturday 6/12/2014 I had an operation at the Specialized Arab Hospital in Nablus. They removed 4 fragments but the rest stayed in my leg.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 131 5/12- The preventive security service raided the house of Al-Quds University media student Amer Tawfiq Hlayel (aged 22), searched it and handed an arrest order to his family.

Hlayel reported to MADA: “The preventive security forces raided my family house in Hebron while I was in Ramallah; they left an arrest order and told my father that I should surrender myself in their headquarters in Hebron in 48 hours.”

He added: “On 8/12 I did not go due to my final exams and to my bad health conditions which make me incapable of enduring any kind of torture or beating. I think they wanted to arrest me for my criticizing posts on Facebook, and because of a video my colleague Islam Salem and I made on YouTube, entitled ‘Release media student Mohammad Atta from jail’ which criticizes Atta’s arrest for political reasons.”

On 17/12 they asked him another time to go to their headquarters in Hebron on 20/12 and pledged that he would not get any bad treatment or beating. On 21 he went there and was interrogated in 3 sessions.

He said: “They treated me very bad; the investigator asked me about my friends and took my Facebook password, opened my account and read my posts. They also asked me about my brother who resides in Qatar. The interrogations lasted until 12:30 PM. They released me and made me sign a paper that I would return on Tuesday 23/12 to continue the interrogation at 10:00 am, but I did not go. On 30/12 I went to their headquarters again after being called by the Preventive Security. They interrogated me and accused me of being in contact with Gaza, especially with 4 News agency journalist Fathi Al-Farra, saying that he sends me money. The interrogations lasted from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, and then they released me and told me they might call me again.”

9/12- The preventive security service summoned the freelance journalist Amir Khalil Abu Arram (aged 23).

Abu Arram reported to MADA: “On 1/12 I received a summons letter to go to the preventive security headquarter on 11/12 but on 9/12 they came to my house and handed both my brother and I official summon letters to go to their headquarters on the next day. We went at 10:00 am and they interrogated me for 8 hours about general stuff related to Hamas and their activities. I felt tired, dizzy and stiffed and they took me to the hospital. They released me from the hospital and did not set another interrogation session; they also released my brother at 10:00 the next day.”

132 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 10/12- The Preventive Security service raided the house of Wattan TV cameraman Mohammad Shukri Awad (aged 27) to arrest him. Awad reported to MADA: “At 1:30 am a unit of 12 members of the Preventive Security forces raided my house in Budrus village west Ramallah and said they wanted to arrest me. At the beginning I did not object and went to take my clothes. Then they wanted to search our house but my family prevented them unless they showed an official paper that allows them to. My family also did not allow them to arrest me, which outraged them. They told us that they would know how to deal with us. I was not summoned later.”

10/12- The Israeli Occupation Forces assaulted Ro’ya cameraman and director Ashraf Mohamed Dar Zaid and prevented him from filming olive tree planting in the village of Turmusayya west Ramalla.

He reported to MADA: “We arrived in Turmusayya to cover the olive trees planting celebration. The IOF attacked an old man and when his son went to help him the IOF beat him. I came closer to film that incident and one of the soldiers pushed me three times to prevent me from covering. Later, 4 soldiers cuffed my hands and dragged me to their military vehicle. Ro’ya correspondent Ahmad Barahme and Al-Haya Al-Jadida photographer Issam Rimawi tried to convince the soldiers that I am a journalist and that I am only doing my job but the soldiers pushed them away. Then the soldiers took me out of the vehicle and forced me to kneel for 45 minutes then they released me.”

10/12- The IOF arrested Asda’ agency correspondent Qutaiba Saleh Qasem (aged 26) at the “Container” checkpoint while he was leaving Ramallah for Hebron.

His father reported to MADA: “The IOF raided our house on Saturday and they seized his laptop and desktop computer. We do not know where Qutaiba is.”

He added: “On 17/12 I was informed that Qutaiba was at Al-Maskoubiyya (investigation center in Jerusalem) and that we had to hire a lawyer but we were not allowed to visit him before 15 days.”

On 29/12 a court session was held and they decided to extend the detention for 8 days (until 7/1/2015), they did not allow the lawyer to visit him and he has no information at all about Qutaiba’s file.”

10/12- The IOF arrested the British associations “In the mind” and “You Free” photojournalist and Palestine Prisoners Center director Osama Shahin (aged 33).

His lawyer Ashraf Abu Snaine reported to MADA: “On 10/12 the IOF arrested Shahin at the “Container” checkpoint and took him for interrogation at Ofra prison (near Ramallah), accusing him of being an activist that has affiliation with Hamas.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 133 They transferred him to the administrative detention on 14/12 although he denied the accusations, on 17/12 they held a court session to confirm his administrative detention.”

12/12- The Palestinian security forces prevented Al-Aqsa TV correspondent Ala’ Jaber Al-Titi (aged 32) and his colleague the cameraman Mahmoud Abu Yousif from covering a celebration organized by Hamas in Hebron. They detained Al-Titi in the Intelligence services headquarters.

Al-Titi reported to MADA: “My colleague and I went to cover the celebration of the 27th anniversary of Hamas’ establishment. After passing many checkpoints manned by the Palestinian Security forces, we were stopped at another one in the Wadi Al- Hariyye area. They seized our IDs. Ten minutes later they released my colleague Mahmoud but they kept me detained.”

Al-Titi added: “They also seized my cell phones and took me to the Intelligence service headquarters. Two hours later they summoned me for questioning about where I was going and how I had been arrested. They also asked if I wanted to attend Hamas’ festival as a journalist or as a member of Hamas. I signed the report of the interrogation and stayed in detention until 10:30. After that, the head officer came and released me. They kept my phones until Wednesday to search them but they gave them back after the intervention of Jihad Qawasmi of the Journalists syndicate secretariat.

12/12- The preventive security forces seized the ID of Al-Jazeera net correspondent Awad Ibrahim Rjoub (aged 39) while he was heading to cover Hamas festival.

Rjoub reported to MADA: “I was going to Hebron to cover Hamas’ festival and there were many Palestinian checkpoints. At one of these checkpoints a unit from the Preventive Security forces stopped me and my brother and seized our IDs for 10 minutes, they also seized my camera and asked me to get in their military vehicle but I refused. 15 minutes later, they released us and we went to cover the event. After I finished my work, I went to the Preventive Security headquarters in Hebron to get my ID back.”

14/12- Al-Quds Press Agency correspondent Zaid Mohamed Abu Arra (aged 28) form Jenin received a call from the Preventive Security director telling him that he will be arrested.

Abu Arra reported to MADA: “The executive director of the Preventive security called me and told me to get prepared because I would be arrested. I waited until 8:00 but no one came. They had already come to our house a day before and my

134 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary brother refused to take the summons paper since I was not there. Nothing happened (till 29/12).”

14/12- The general prosecution in Nablus summoned Al-Quds TV producer and Al-Safir newspaper correspondent Majdolin Reda Hassoune (age 25) and interrogated her about her writings on Facebook. She was accused of slandering and vilifying the President.

She reported to MADA: “I received a summons from the General Prosecution in Nablus saying that I should go to their headquarters. I went on 16/12 and the head of the prosecution office asked me to sign a commitment to come to the headquarters on 22/12. He refused to tell me the charges against me. I later knew that I was accused of insulting the president and prominent personalities.”

Hassoune added: “On 22/12 I went at 10:00 am to the prosecution office in Nablus with the presence of MADA’s lawyer Mohammad Saqf Il-Hait and Marsad NGO lawyer. They interrogated me for two hours about old posts I published on my Facebook page. They accused me of slandering and insulting the president and VIPs, even though I told them that these posts were fake because my account had been hacked.”

She added: “The general prosecution decided to transfer my file to the court after making sure of the accusations against me. I later knew that the preventive security services are the ones who pressed the charges against me.”

18/12- A number of Israeli settlers assaulted Bait Al-Maqdes agency and Himma News agency correspondent Liwa’ Wael Abu Rmeleh (aged 23) from Jerusalem. She reported to MADA: “A number of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa mosque, I tried to enter it when a settler pushed me. After I headed to get my ID back from the Police, the officer tried to arrest me but I refused so he took my Journalist’s card and copied it before he gave it back to me.”

18/12- The IOF arrested the freelance photographer Abdul Afow Bassam Zughayer (aged 22) while he was covering events in Jerusalem. Zughayer reported to MADA: “I was in the Old City of Jerusalem taking photos of the settlers’ behaviors after they stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and assaulted Al-Aqsa guards. That caused clashes between the Palestinians and the Israeli settlers. The Israeli police arrested me and 3 settlers and took us to Beit Yahu, then to the Qashle interrogation center. They released the settlers and kept me, accusing me of assaulting the settlers.”

Zughayer added: “I appeared in front of the court the next day, I was sentenced to be excluded from the Old City for 15 days and to pay a 5,000 NIS (1,260$) bail. After that I was released. They also kept my cellphone.”

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 135 21/12- The preventive security forces summoned Al-Quds University media student at Qutaiba Mohamed Hamdan (aged 22) many times and detained him.

He reported to MADA: “The preventive security forces summoned me to their headquarters on Wednesday 24/12. A week ago I received another summons but I did not go until I finish my final exams since I had been arrested last March for 20 days.”

He added: “On Wednesday 21/12 I arrived at the Preventive Security headquarters in Ramallah at 12:30 pm and after one hour they detained me in a cell until the evening. Then they called me and beat me severely. They were three; I was tortured with the “Palestinian hanging” or “Strappado” technique and severely beaten. They released me at 11:00 pm. They also kept my ID until Saturday.”

He added: “When I went to get my ID back on Saturday, they interrogated me again for less than an hour, questioning me about my father’s political affiliation. They also interrogated me about what I posted on my Facebook account, they threatened me with beating me again if I made another mistake.

23/12- The Associated Press cameraman Iyad Hamad (aged 55) suffered from suffocation and fainted as a result of teargas bombs thrown by the IOF against journalists and participants of a peaceful demonstration.

He reported to MADA: “On 23/12 we went to cover the demonstration organized by the popular resistance in Bethlehem to ask for the opening of the road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem for Christmas. When we arrived at the checkpoint 300 north of Bethlehem, the IOF started beating everyone and throwing teargas and stun grenades. I fainted and fell on the ground, I was treated on the field. A number of journalists also suffered from suffocation, they were: Munjed Jado, Samer Maghribi Mahmoud Elayyan, Musa Qawasme, Abdul Hafiz Hashlamoon and Ahmad Mizher.

23/12- Shu’lat Al-I’lam journalist Saher Khalil Al-Aqra’ (aged 32) was threatened by email and phone.

He reported to MADA: “On Tuesday 23/12 I received threatening messages on my email and cellphone from an Israeli number. The message said: “From Mohammad Dahlan followers to Saher Al-Aqra’: the articles you write against the leader Mohammad Dahlan will not protect your head from a bullet that will be shot soon. Writing against Dahlan means punishment. Punishment = death… Do not write anything if you want to save your life.”

136 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 23/12- The Israeli authorities prevented Omar Naji Nazzal (aged 53), board member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and manager of Clacket for Media, from travelling to Jordan through Al-Karama crossing.

He reported to MADA: “On 23/12 I was prevented from traveling when I arrived at Al-Karama crossing; they seized my passport and told me that the Israeli Intelligence services banned me from traveling, without telling me the reason and without interrogating me.” He added: “I have been banned although I was in Jordan only two weeks ago and I travel a lot for professional reasons.”

27/12- The IOF raided the house of Wattan TV cameraman Mohammad shukri Awad (aged 27) and gave him a summons to go to their headquarters.

He reported to MADA: “On Sunday the IOF raided my house and gave me a summons to go to Ofra prison Intelligence section for interrogation on 30/12. When I went, they postponed my interrogation until the next day.

“I went on the next day and they put me in a cell for a long period until the officer came and questioned me about my work. After answering him, he told me to take my ID and not to tell anybody about what had happened. I asked him if I could travel in June 2015 and he said: ‘Do not even dream about it, unless you collaborate with us.’ He released me at 3:00 pm.”

28/12- Gaza internal security summoned Yahya Al-Madhoun (aged 35), Reyada news agency head and Al-Azhar University students affairs manager.

Al-Madhoun reported to MADA: “On 28/12 I headed to the Internal Security headquarters in Jabalia after being summoned. He explained that they interrogated him on different issues and said: “They interrogated me about the source of the financial aid I offer to the students and I told them I got the money through a fundraising campaign and it had been distributed to the students according to a list of needs. They also interrogated me about what I wrote on Facebook (about being summoned by the Internal Security). I told them that I refused this way of summoning and that I have the right to write.”

“They also asked me about my journalistic work, I answered that I work at Riyada news agency. They released me at 1:00.”

28/12- The preventive security arrested Wattan TV correspondent Aysar Kamel Al- Barghouthi (aged 27) in his house in Kafr Ain village north of Ramallah.

Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary 137 He reported to MADA: “At 11:00 pm two cars of the preventive security forces arrived at my house and started calling my name until I came out. They took my ID and took me with them to their Balou’ office in Ramallah, where they put me in a wide warm room until the morning without talking to me.”

He added: “At 10:30 of the next day the interrogator talked to me for less than 10 minutes and he told that I am here because they have previously summoned me and I did not go to their headquarters, he also told me that I should obey whenever they summon me. He mentioned my writings on Facebook and told me that it is better to only focus on my profession as a journalist and they released me at 11:00 am.”

The preventive security has summoned Al-Barghouthi on 6/12 but he did not go since he was in Jordan to attend a conference.

29/12- Four people (two of them from the Palestinian Security Forces) have severely beaten the freelance journalist Muath Mousa Amleh (aged 24) from Qabalan after he received threats for his writings against the municipality of Qabalan.

He reported to MADA: “I was standing in front of a public services office in Qabalan and I was severely beaten by hands and stones by four men (relatives of Qabalan mayor). I went to the clinic for treatment and took a medical report that proves I have bruises under my eye and an injury behind my ear, and then I headed to the police station to file a complaint against them. I was surprised to see that the four men were there to file a complaint against me because one of them was injured while I was defending myself. They threatened me and told me that I will lose a lot if I filed a complaint against them.”

He added: “I have previously received two threats from the same people, once on Facebook and another one in front of my house.” “I will file a complaint at the military intelligence agency since two of them are from the security forces.”

Palestine Public TV cameraman Bashar Nazzal (Photo by Ayman Nobani)

138 Media freedoms violations in Palestine in 2014 - Summary