Israeli occupation forces arrested Palestinian journalist Latifa Abdul Latif in Jerusalem’s Bab al-Amoud Square last night, extending her detention on allegations of “incitement” through online platforms.
The arrest came as part of an escalating campaign targeting Palestinian journalists, raising serious human rights concerns over the repression of freedom of expression and press freedom under Israeli occupation.
Since 7 October 2023, at least 170 Palestinian journalists have been detained by Israeli authorities, 52 of whom remain behind bars. This systematic targeting of media workers includes arbitrary arrests, physical assaults, and restrictions on field reporting, constituting a flagrant violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which upholds the right to seek, receive, and impart information without interference.
Latifa Abdul Latif’s detention coincides with heightened Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque, including the forced removal of journalists and activists from Jerusalem’s Old City and its surroundings. These measures reflect a broader strategy of suppression, aimed at silencing Palestinian voices and erasing narratives that document Israeli violations in occupied Jerusalem.
Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, targeting journalists in occupied territories is deemed a grave breach of international law, as the occupying power is legally obligated to ensure their protection. However, Israel continues to defy these obligations, bolstered by unwavering diplomatic and political support from global powers, reinforcing a culture of impunity for its actions against Palestinian press freedom.
The arrest of Latifa Abdul Latif is yet another episode in Israel’s systematic assault on Palestinian journalism, demanding immediate international intervention to halt these violations and safeguard the fundamental right of Palestinians to document and report their lived realities without fear of arrest, persecution, or intimidation.
