Threats, imprisonments, and violence against women journalists in Palestine
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Palestinian women journalists continue to fight for their right to free expression despite the ongoing threats and intimidations meant to silence them. The Coalition For Women In Journalism documents the cases to expose the violations women journalists encounter while reporting from conflict zones. From November 2020 to June 7, 2021, CFWIJ has recorded 12 cases of threats and violence against women— 11 were recorded in May and June alone. One of the most unfortunate incidents was the killing of Palestinian journalist Reema Saad. On the night of May 11, she was killed in a targeted airstrike by Israeli forces on a 10-floor building in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City. Reema was four months pregnant at the time of her death. Sources on the ground confirmed that she, along with her husband and two children, was killed in the attack.
The frequency of the attacks against women journalists by Israeli forces has increased significantly. In addition to arrests and detentions, there have been several reports of physical assaults, attacks with rubber bullets, and tear gas bombs. Amidst this crisis, it is commendable that women journalists continue to report with conviction. Media correspondents have been repeatedly monitored and prosecuted while on duty. Several of these women reporters faced detention and harassment for revealing facts and information. On June 6, Najwan Al-Sumari and Bara’a Abu Romouz were assaulted by Israeli forces while covering confrontations in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. The impunity persists as Israeli forces practice oppression against the press. Still, the journalists working in this heightened tension face risks of physical harm and threats of detention.
In Palestine, journalists are unable to move freely and are often monitored by the intelligence forces. They often suffer attacks and arbitrary imprisonment. On June 5, Givara Budeiri, a Jerusalem-based Al Jazeera correspondent, was forcefully arrested for allegedly hitting a female officer. Givara was covering a sit-in held in Sheikh Jarrah to celebrate the 54th anniversary of Naksa, a term that Palestinian people use to describe the Israeli occupation since 1967. Givara suffered a fracture in her left hand and several bruises, a result of the torture from the Israeli forces. The journalist was released several hours later on the condition of not entering Sheikh Jarrah for the next 15 days.
On May 28, Israeli forces arrested Zeina Al-Halawani while she was reporting from a predominantly Palestinian neighorhood in East Jerusalem. She was physically assaulted and was kept in detention without charge. Her detention was widely condemned on social media after the videos of the forceful arrest went viral. Rama Yousef, another Palestinian journalist, took a rubber bullet to the leg on May 18 while covering a protest at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. When speaking with Middle East Eye, she recalled receiving a text message on May 10 stating, “you have been identified to have taken part in violent acts at Al-Aqsa mosque. We will hold you accountable.” Rama was not intimidated and laughed it off.
On May 21, hours after the ceasefire was announced in Gaza, several journalists were confused, unable to access WhatsApp— a communication tool used to report the news to editors and stay in touch with sources. Other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram were criticized for deleting the accounts of users sharing protest videos. Samar Abu Elouf, a Gaza-based journalist, had to evacuate her family after a missile hit her neighbor’s home. She was in the field when she received the news and quickly ran home to evacuate her family. Thankfully, she and her family were unharmed. Despite such harrowing experiences, Samar continues to report from Gaza. She is just one example of the thousands of Palestinians displaced as a result of Israeli attacks.
On May 19, Israeli forces destroyed the offices of Filastiniat and its affiliated news agency without prior warning. The bombing resulted in the death of two civilians, including one child. Wafa Abdel-Rehman, the editor-in-chief of Nawa, confirmed the news and provided details about the incident. On the same day, in a separate incident, Latifeh Abdellatif, a photojournalist for Middle East Eye, was physically assaulted by Israeli forces at Damascus Gate. She was accused of covering up an illegal protest. The video of the assault was shared on social media, condemning the actions of Israeli forces.
These incidents limit the space for other journalists to report freely and safely. The pervasive harassment from the authorities affects their ability to cover matters of public interest without risking their own safety. On May 10, there was a massive crackdown by Israeli forces on journalists covering the attacks and violations in Jerusalem and the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa mosque. Liwa Abu Rumila, an Ultra-Palestine reporter, was caught in a tear gas attack while following the raids. Another female reporter Fatima Al-Bakri also suffered physical assault by the authorities. Riwa Murshid was targeted by armed members of a separatist organization for not covering her head on May 4. The journalist was at the coastal enclave's border, adjacent to Israel, when she was approached and impeded from working. Riwa stated in her video testimony that she was threatened and harassed. One of the assailants attacked her with a tree branch, leaving visible marks and bruises.
As the Coalition For Women In Journalism continues to document the threats and assaults in Palestine, we urge a peaceful solution to the crisis. We believe that women journalists are unjustifiably targeted, and this must be addressed. Law enforcement authorities should not have the right to intimidate and threaten journalists simply for doing their job. Such restrictions jeopardize the freedom of the press and limit free and fair reporting. Women journalists in Palestine feel isolated and routinely attacked. We urge the authorities in Israel to respect press freedom, allowing journalists to report without intimidation and interference. The attacks against them must end immediately. Women journalists must be allowed to report fairly without fearing consequences from the Israeli forces.
