Jerusalem: The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate has strongly condemned the escalating measures imposed by Israeli occupation authorities against journalists and media institutions operating in occupied Jerusalem.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Syndicate described these actions as part of a systematic policy aimed at curtailing press freedom and suppressing the Palestinian narrative, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Syndicate reported that it had documented the issuance of ban orders preventing ten journalists and photojournalists from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, thus obstructing their ability to perform their professional duties, especially in covering events within the mosque compound and its surrounding areas.
The Syndicate also highlighted a decision by the Israeli occupation army minister to ban four Palestinian media outlets and platforms, categorizing them as 'terrorist entities.' This has been followed by the pursuit, summons, and threats against their staff. The targeted institutions include Al-Asima News, Al-Bawsala, Maraj, and Quds Plus.
Additionally, the Syndicate condemned the detention of journalist Nisreen Salem and her interrogation over several days, which preceded her release under restrictive conditions, including house arrest and a prohibition on using her phone and social media. The Syndicate characterized these measures as a flagrant violation of freedom of opinion and expression and a direct infringement on her right to carry out her journalistic profession.
The Syndicate emphasized that these measures violate international law and relevant resolutions related to the protection of journalists. It called on the International Federation of Journalists, the Arab Journalists Union, and all international institutions concerned with media freedom to urgently intervene to halt these violations and ensure freedom of journalistic work in Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied Palestinian Territory.