Location: Palestine
Date: May 2, 2021

Rama Yousef, a Palestinian journalist based in Jerusalem, was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet deployed by Israeli police on May 18. The journalist was reporting on the protest at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem when she was wounded. She received treatment for her injuries at a local hospital and instructed to rest at home for the next week.

The incident came days after Rama and several other Palestinians received menacing messages supposedly sent by Israeli intelligence. The journalist has been reporting the ongoing unrest in Jerusalem, sharing videos and photos across her social media platforms. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the Israeli police’s use of force on unarmed journalists.

Violence and civil unrest have escalated throughout Jerusalem over the past two weeks, as Palestinians take to the streets to protest the evictions in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. Provoked by the Israeli forces’ raid on Al-Aqsa mosque during the holy month of Ramadan, Palestinians have held several demonstrations protesting the infringement of their rights. On May 10, 2021, several Palestinians in Jerusalem, Rama included, received threatening texts, seemingly sent by Israeli intelligence. The message reads: “Hello! You have been identified to have taken part in violent acts at al-Aqsa mosque. We will hold you accountable. - Israeli intelligence”. The journalist told the Middle East Eye that she was not intimidated by the message, laughing it off.

In another attempt to quell the unrest, Israeli authorities closed a plaza outside Damascus Gate, a common gathering place for Palestinians. The move, intended to pacify the protestors, sparked a new wave of outrage, leading to further confrontation between police and Palestinians. On May 18, 2021, journalist Rama Yousef was covering the turmoil at Damascus Gate, one of the key entrances to the Old City. As Israeli police tried to push protestors away from the Old City, they were met with rocks and fireworks used as projectiles.  In response, the Israeli Forces deployed water cannons and fired rubber bullets indiscriminately into the crowd. Rama was injured during the onslaught, taking a rubber bullet to the leg.

The Marie Colvin Journalists’ Network shared a tweet reporting the incident, “Solidarity with our #MCJN member, journalist @ramayousef3 who was hit today in her leg with a rubber coated bullet fired by Israeli police while covering a protest at Damascus Gate in #Jerusalem”.  The tweet went on to mention that the journalist required medical treatment for her injuries and was advised to stay at home for a week. Rama shared her experience at the hospital on her Twitter page, recounting the sheer volume of civilian injuries and the unity among Palestinians. She closed her tweet with a save Sheikh Jarrah hashtag.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by the increasing use of force by Israeli police. Journalists reporting on the ground are put into danger while covering the relentless attacks on protestors throughout Israel. CFWIJ calls on Israeli authorities to de-escalate their tactics and take adequate measures to protect the press during demonstrations. We commend Rama for her brave commitment to her coverage, and we wish her a speedy recovery.

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

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