Israel: Ilana Curiel Attacked by Right-wing and Ultranationalist Demonstrators, Amid Sde Teiman Riots
"I am in tears. I've been spat on, called derogatory names, and had objects thrown at me while simply trying to do my job" - Ilana Curiel
Location: Israel, Negev
Date: July 29, 2024
Women Press Freedom expresses solidarity with Ilana Curiel, who was targeted by right-wing and ultranationalist protesters while reporting on the riots at Sde Teiman detention facility. The demonstrators, rallying against the arrest of nine Israeli reserve soldiers implicated in the torture of a Palestinian detainee, surrounded Curiel, targeted her with verbal and physical assaults while accusing her of alleged connections to Hamas. Thanks to the swift action of Special Patrol Unit officers, Curiel's safety was ensured during the chaotic situation. We strongly condemn the violence and harassment directed at Curiel. We call for a thorough investigation into the attacks and accountability for those involved. Amid escalating tensions, these troubling assaults on journalists emphasize the urgent necessity for safeguarding and upholding press freedom in Israel. Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear of intimidation or harm.
"I am in tears. I've been spat on, called derogatory names, and had objects thrown at me while simply trying to do my job," says Israeli journalist Ilana Curiel after being targeted, along with Uri Isaac, by protesters while attempting to report on the riots at the Sde Teiman detention facility on July 29, 2024.
The unrest began with the arrest of nine reserve soldiers at Sde Teiman, who were accused of severely mistreating a Palestinian detainee.
Sde Teiman, situated near Beersheba in southern Israel, has been a focal point for months due to reports of grave mistreatment of Gaza detainees, including torture, sexual abuse, and even deaths.
Numerous right-wing and ultranationalist demonstrators, including Members of Knesset and even government officials, initially stormed Sde Teiman upon hearing of the arrests.
Rioters launched their aggression towards Curiel, who became a target of the violence while reporting on the incident.
Expressing her lack of surprise at the hostile treatment she received, Curiel says, "They attempted to steal my phone, repeatedly hurling insults like ‘Traitor’ and ‘Go to Gaza.'”
Curiel was ultimately guided to safety by law enforcement guaranteeing the journalist's physical well-being.
Uri Isaac and his team also encountered both verbal and physical intimidation. Isaac detailed the distressing encounter, recalling, “We arrived near the checkpoint where the protesters had gathered. They immediately came at us, accusing us of being Hamas, spitting, throwing water, and damaging our equipment. As a reserve soldier who has served in Gaza, risking my life, I refuse to be labeled based on false accusations. It is a disgrace and utterly shameful.”
Violent attacks against journalists are on the rise in Israel, Women Press Freedom has documented. On June 5, 2024, during the commemoration march marking the capture of East Jerusalem by Israeli forces in the 1967 war, Women Press Freedom documented that Israeli settlers and far-right protesters impeded and assaulted more than twenty journalists, including eight women, in East Jerusalem. On July 1, 2024, a team of journalists, among them Spanish correspondent Lara Escudero from Noticias Cuatro, encountered a hostile reception while reporting on a gathering of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood.
Women Press Freedom stands steadfastly alongside Ilana Curiel, denouncing the reprehensible violence she endured while fulfilling her journalistic duties. We adamantly call for the perpetrators of this aggression to be brought to justice. A free press is essential for a functioning democracy, and journalists must be shielded, not assaulted, as they strive to report on matters of public significance. We urge the Israeli government to implement measures that safeguard the well-being of journalists amidst these tumultuous circumstances.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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