The Palestinian Presidency today condemned the detention of Palestine TV crew in Jerusalem.
The Presidency slammed the detention of the crew as a part of the Israeli government’s scheme to entrench Israeli control over the occupied city of Jerusalem and its holy sites.
Several Palestinian officials and experts condemned today the detention of the Palestine TV crew in Jerusalem, describing it a violation of international law.
Medhat Debeh, a well-versed expert of international law, told WAFA that the detention of the Palestine TV crew in Jerusalem was a violation of the freedoms bestowed upon media institutions and journalists under international law.
“The detention of the four journalists in Jerusalem today aims at preventing any presence of the sovereign Palestinian institutions in occupied Jerusalem,” he said. “The [Palestine] TV has been working in Jerusalem for 20 years, and is one of the symbols of the Palestinian sovereignty.”
Debeh added that Israel’s ban on Palestine TV work in occupied Jerusalem is a breach of all international laws, including the Fourth Geneva Convention which guarantees the freedom to work for all those living under occupation.
Meanwhile, the Presidency slammed the detention of the crew as a part of the Israeli government’s scheme to entrench Israeli control over the occupied city of Jerusalem and its holy sites.
It blamed Israeli violations that have gone unpunished on the US administration’s encouragement to Israel, particularly the US administration’s decision recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
It called on the international community to take action and put pressure on the Israeli government halt its attacks against the Palestinian people.
In the meantime, the Palestinian government’s spokesman, Ibrahim Melhem, said the detention of the crew will have serious repercussions, especially as the incident follows Israel’s decision to ban the work of the TV in the city.
The Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) joined in condemning the detention, slamming it as a “crime added to the list of crimes committed against Palestinian media outlets and journalists.”
PBC called on the United Nations, the European Union and international organizations, particularly those concerned with public freedoms and democracy, to intervene to defend their principles against this direct violation of the freedom of expression.
The Commission stressed that it is determined to fulfill its duty towards the Palestinian people in their places of presence and in the territories of the State of Palestine, particularly in occupied Jerusalem.
The incident was also condemned by ruling Fatah party, who described it as a “failed attempt to hide the truth”.
“This Israeli crime is part of the Israeli occupation’s scheme to Judaize the city of Jerusalem, as well as part of the war on the Palestinian media,” Fatah said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the detention of the Palestine TV crew, saying it was going to file a case in international court against the Israeli occupation authorities.
The detention of the crew was further condemned by Palestine’s ambassador in Egypt, Diab al-Louh, who described it as a violation of all international conventions on the protection of journalist on duty.
