Palestinian Journalists Syndicate: 99 Zionist violations recorded in December

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate affirmed on Sunday that Israeli occupation forces committed 99 violations against journalists during the month of December alone, reflecting a high level of repression and intimidation.

In its monthly report on the state of media freedoms, the Syndicate stated that Israeli occupation forces continued throughout December their policy of systematic targeting of Palestinian journalism, through a wide range of serious violations against journalists, media institutions, and even journalists’ family members.

It explained that these violations are part of an integrated strategy aimed at silencing the Palestinian media voice and preventing the documentation of crimes committed on the ground, stressing that Palestinian journalists have become direct targets—not merely witnesses to crimes, but victims of them.

The Syndicate noted that December witnessed grave violations, including the martyrdom of one journalist while performing field duties, two journalists sustaining bleeding injuries as a result of shelling and direct targeting, and the martyrdom of two relatives of journalists, indicating a dangerous expansion of targeting to include families under a policy of collective punishment.

The Freedoms Committee of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate considered these acts a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, particularly Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which guarantees the protection of journalists during armed conflicts, affirming that these acts amount to extrajudicial killings.

The committee clarified that preventing journalists from covering events constituted the largest proportion of violations. It documented 48 cases of detention and prevention from media coverage, 15 attacks using tear gas and sound bombs during coverage, two deliberate attempted vehicle-ramming attacks against journalists, nine cases of weapons being brandished and threats, and six cases of direct verbal threats.

The report also documented two arrests of journalists, two summonses and security interrogations, and two cases brought before occupation courts, including extensions of administrative detention.

The committee pointed out that journalists are subjected to an organized smear campaign through Israeli media outlets and information centers, which falsely alleged links between journalists and armed groups, documenting two cases of incitement.

It warned of the danger of this incitement, describing it as a direct prelude to physical targeting of journalists, an attempt to strip them of their civilian status, and a means to justify their killing or arrest before international public opinion.

The committee also documented one assault carried out by settlers against a journalist, which took place under the protection and silence of Israeli occupation forces.

It concluded that these violations reflect the continued coordination between the occupation army and settlers in attacking journalists, within an environment of total impunity.