Calls to pressure Israel to release 22 Palestinian journalists

Israeli forces intervene in AFP’S photo journalist Jafer Eshtayah during a protest against building of Jewish settlements and separation wall at Kafr Qaddum village of Nablus, West Bank on 22 March 2019 [Nedal Eshtayah/Anadolu Agency]

Journalist Support Committee (JSC) has called for putting international pressure on Israel in order to release 22 Palestinian journalists from its jails, Al-Resalah newspaper reported yesterday.

The JSC issued a report as part of a package of activities to mark Palestine Prisoners Day today, stating that there are 22 Palestinian journalists currently in Israeli jails, including three females.

According to the JSC, the prisoners are subject to “flagrant systematic violations” inside Israeli jails such as administrative detention and martial trials.

The JSC report stated that there are seven sentenced journalists, four under administrative detention and 11 are awaiting news of their fate.

Meanwhile, the JSC condemned the increasing Israeli policy of chasing and prosecuting Palestinian social media users, stressing this is a violation of free speech and freedom of expression laws.

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