Israeli Occupation Authorities’ Summons Of Two Journalists Violate Freedom Of Press Work

STOCKHOLM – Skyline International condemns the ongoing summonses and arrests carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities against Palestinian journalists, stressing that this violates international conventions and laws.

Dr. Shireen Awad, head of the organization, says in an urgent press statement that the Israeli occupation authorities summoned the two journalists, Maysa Abu Ghazaleh and Sondos Aweys, for questioning at the Qishla interrogation centre in Jerusalem.

Awad points out that Skyline monitored more than 92 violations by the Israeli occupation authorities against Palestinian journalists during September 2019.

She says that the recent attacks on the press were targeted by suffocating bombs, beatings, assaults and travel bans, as well as the confiscation of media tools and breaking into houses.

Violations by the Israeli occupation authorities

Palestinian journalists in Jerusalem and the West Bank are continuously summoned by Israeli occupation authorities to pressure them and prevent them from reporting.

Dr. Awad also states that the primary purpose of the summonses or arrests is to intimidate them into stopping the journalistic work.
It is noteworthy that the Israeli occupation authorities has 21 journalists detained in its prison, by judicial rulings or under administrative detention.

Dr. Awad states that Israel violates international conventions and treaties that guarantee individuals freedom of opinion and expression, especially the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

She also noted that the silence of Israeli practices is increasing and making more journalists a victim of it, both those who cover peaceful demonstrations in the Gaza Strip and those who do their daily work in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Dr Shirin Awad stresses that the International Federation of Journalists , the United Nations and other concerned parties are required to intervene to protect journalists in Palestine; ensuring their safety while practicing their work and not being subjected to continuous violations.