The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) has released a chilling report detailing 108 documented attacks targeting Palestinian journalists and media workers across the occupied West Bank in July, marking a significant escalation in recent months. The syndicate’s Freedoms Committee stated that the violations, which span from detention and physical assaults to obstruction of coverage and equipment seizure, represent a persistent pattern of intimidation and violence against professionals who document Israeli military operations and settler activities.
The report details a disturbing escalation of attacks, highlighting a significant increase in the frequency of incidents. 58 cases were recorded, primarily involving detentions and beatings, with six journalists being beaten and four sustained bleeding injuries while covering developments in Gaza, including from shrapnel. Two journalists were detained and four interrogated about their reporting, underscoring a deliberate attempt to silence dissent.
Furthermore, the PJS documented 11 settler attacks specifically targeting journalists, including physical assaults, shoving, and threats, often while crews were covering Israeli military raids and settler violence elsewhere in the West Bank. Two cases involved Israeli forces firing stun grenades or tear gas, causing suffocation for some journalists, resulting in two reported cases of journalists being detained and four interrogated.
The committee also recorded four raids on journalists’ homes or media offices, including the closure of one outlet and the confiscation or destruction of press equipment, demonstrating a deliberate effort to curtail journalistic activity. They also documented two instances of deleted footage and two expulsions from the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, raising concerns about the suppression of critical reporting.
In response to the alarming numbers, the PJS has called for immediate action to ensure journalist safety and accountability. The syndicate emphasized the need for ‘free from threats, attacks, and pursuit’ and demanded that those responsible for these actions be held accountable. The PJS has also expressed concern regarding the already alarming figure of over 270 journalists killed in Gaza since the start of Israel’s campaign in October 2023, exceeding any other media outlet globally.
Al Jazeera has confirmed that 12 of its own journalists have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of Israel’s campaign in 2023, representing more than any other media outlet, highlighting the severe impact on the global media landscape.
This surge in attacks underscores a worrying trend and demands a renewed commitment to protecting journalists and the vital role they play in documenting the realities of conflict in the region. The PJS is urging international organizations and governments to take immediate steps to safeguard journalistic freedom and prevent further violence against media professionals.
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Source: Al Jazeera
