West Bank: Israeli forces arrest, detain Palestine TV reporter

The IFJ has strongly condemned the arrest by Israeli forces of Ali Dal Ali, a Palestine TV journalist.

Credit: Palestine Video

The IFJ has strongly condemned the arrest by Israeli forces of Ali Dal Ali, a Palestine TV journalist. The Federation backed calls by the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate (PJS) for international and regional human rights organisations to step in and demand his immediate release. On August 15, Israeli military forces arrested Ali, a reporter for the Palestinian Authority's official broadcaster, Palestine TV. Ali’s father told the press that “a large number of Israeli soldiers raided the family house, seized Ali's cell phone and computer, and arrested him without informing them of any charges”. According to a report quoting the Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ and Ex-detainees’ Affairs, the military court announced on August 20 that Ali's detention is to be extended until 4th of September. Ali is accused of incitement. The accusation pointed to two Facebook video livestreams Ali posted early on Tuesday morning that showed Israeli security forces operating in the Al-Amari refugee camp near Ramallah, allegedly mapping the house of a Palestinian who was arrested on suspicion of killing an IDF soldier earlier this year. Neither of the two videos showed Ali calling for violence against the IDF. A bill, passed on 17th June by an Israeli ministerial committee for legislation, outlaws filming of IDF soldiers and calls for a five-year prison term for its violation. The IFJ strongly condemned this bill, which seeks to criminalise journalists’ work. The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate (PJS) has called on the United Nations and international and regional rights organisations to “stand up to Israel’s constant aggressions, violation of human rights and racist policies towards Palestinian people, media and media workers.” IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Belanger said: “We are deeply concerned by the frequent attacks on Palestinian journalists in the West Bank. Ali Dal Ali’s arrest and extended detention is an intolerable violation of human rights and press freedom. We demand the responsible authorities to review the case and set Ali free immediately”.

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