Far-right mob physically and verbally assaults reporters, impedes them from covering March, while police stands by idly 

Location: Israel, Jerusalem
Date: June 5, 2024

Women Press Freedom Newsroom condemns in the strongest terms the brutal assaults and impediments faced by journalists during the June 5 commemoration march in East Jerusalem. This march, which marks the capture of East Jerusalem by Israeli forces during the 1967 war, saw a grievous violation of press freedom and human rights as Israeli settlers and far-right protesters attacked and hindered more than twenty journalists from carrying out their essential duties. Among those assaulted were nineteen Palestinian journalists, one Israeli journalist, and one Australian journalist. The violence included physical assaults and unlawful detentions, with Palestinian freelance journalist Saif Kwasmi being detained and questioned by Israeli security forces after attempting to protect fellow journalist Diala Jweihan from a group of settlers. These attacks represent not only an infringement on the safety and freedom of the journalists but also an alarming disregard for the role of the press in documenting and reporting on critical events. The systematic nature of these assaults, with over 3,000 Israeli security officers deployed yet failing to intervene, underscores a dire need for accountability and protection for journalists. We call for immediate and thorough investigations into these incidents. We urge international bodies to pressure the Israeli government to uphold its obligations under international law to protect journalists and ensure their freedom to report without fear of violence or retribution.

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In a disturbing turn of events during the June 5 commemoration march, Israeli settlers and far-right protesters assaulted and impeded more than twenty journalists, eight of whom were women, in East Jerusalem. The march marks the capture of East Jerusalem by Israeli forces during the 1967 war. Among those targeted were nineteen Palestinian journalists, one Israeli journalist, and one Australian journalist.

Allyson Horn, ABC Australia, was physically assaulted on multiple occasions, while Diala Jweihan, a Palestinian freelance journalist, was pushed to the ground and hit with water bottles by a mob of protestors. Latifa Abdel Latif, Layali Eid, Dana Abu Shamsieh, Renad Sharabaty, Loay Abu Armila, and Maysa Abu Ghazaleh were obstructed and or forcefully removed from the site. 

“I was hit in the face. We were pushed and verbally abused by some young Israelis taking part,” says ABC Australia correspondent Horn. “They were quickly stopped by Israeli police, but the mood here is still incredibly tense.”

Palestinian freelance journalist Saif Kwasmi was detained and questioned by Israeli security forces after attempting to protect fellow Palestinian journalist Diala Jweihan, who was being assaulted by a group of settlers. "I had to protect myself and tried to push them away from us because there were more than 20 settlers assaulting us," Kwasmi explaines.

Israeli Haaretz reporter Nir Hasson was also assaulted while trying to defend Kwasmi and Jweihan. Other journalists physically attacked included Ghassan Abu Eid, Malak Arouk, Fayez Abu Armila, Ammar Awad, Amir Abdul Rabbu, Mustafa Kharouf, and Bara'a Al-Shaloudi. 

Renad Sharabaty, Loay Abu Armila, and Saeed Al-Qaq were prevented from approaching the Damascus Gate to cover the march.

Despite the deployment of over 3,000 Israeli security officers in East Jerusalem and the establishment of military checkpoints on several main roads, the security forces did not intervene while protesters harassed and assaulted the Palestinian journalists. "They gathered all the journalists in a place away from settlers instead of stopping the attackers. They prevented journalists from covering what was happening to the local residents," Nir Hasson reports.

The U.S. State Department has called on Israel to ensure the safety of journalists. "We have reviewed the videos and photos of this incident, and we strongly condemn the attacks on reporters," a State Department spokesperson stated. "We expect Israel to protect journalists from such assaults."

The assault on 21 journalists by Israeli settlers and far-right protesters during the annual Jerusalem Day Flag March is a blatant attack on press freedom. These acts of violence not only endanger the lives of journalists but also threaten the very foundation of press freedom. Women Press Freedom calls for immediate international condemnation of these attacks and urges the relevant authorities to take swift action to ensure the safety and protection of journalists. It is imperative that those responsible for these assaults are held accountable and that measures are implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy, and it is the duty of all nations to protect journalists and uphold their right to report freely and without fear of violence.

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