Israel escalates arrests and movement restrictions on Palestinian journalists while blocking access and banning independent media amid its expanding military operations in the occupied territories.
This statement was originally published on article19.org on 25 February 2025.
ARTICLE 19 condemns Israel’s escalating press freedom violations in the West Bank. Palestinian journalists continue to face increasing restrictions, arbitrary detentions, and physical attacks, particularly in recent weeks, as Israel’s military operations in the West Bank continue and the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile. The escalation of the conflict in the West Bank is extremely concerning, with Israel sending tanks to the West Bank for the first time in 20 years on 24 February. ARTICLE 19 calls on Israel to immediately end its attacks on journalists in the West Bank and protect press freedom.
Since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, the devastating impact on journalists has been clear: they have been killed in unprecedented numbers, threatened and harrassed. As the ceasefire and political negotiations continue, protecting press freedom remains critical to documenting human rights violations, conveying the voices of Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza, and enabling accurate reporting.
Journalists under attack: Intimidation and arrests
In late January and February, assaults against Palestinian journalists in the West Bank intensified. Israeli authorities carried out arbitrary detentions, interrogations, and arrests, suppressing press freedom and hindering essential reporting. At a time when Israel continues its military operations in the West Bank and the first phase of the ceasefire draws to a close, such reporting is vital. These recent attacks are part of a broader pattern of violence against journalists and media workers in Palestine that began even before the war. The situation has worsened since 2023 and has intensified further during recent military operations.
As of 19 February, 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists has documented a total of 75 arrests of journalists in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, Gaza, and the city of Jerusalem since the war began, with 70 of those arrests made by Israel. On 9 February, 2025, an Al-Araby TV crew, Wafa Agency correspondent, and Al-Quds newspaper reporter, along with freelance journalists, reportedly came under live fire while covering the ongoing demolitions in Jenin refugee camp. Three of them were detained for an hour. Similarly, on 31 January, 2025, freelance journalist Raghad Salameh was detained for interrogation while entering the Tulkarm refugee camp.
On 22 January, 2025, Israeli forces reportedly deliberately drove bulldozers toward a Roya News crew in Jenin in an apparent act of intimidation. On the same day, a Palestine TV crew was detained and expelled while covering a military raid in Jenin.
Blocks on access, blocks on information, and outright bans
Restrictions on movement have placed additional obstacles to journalists’ ability to report. On 9 February, 2025, reporter Seif Qawasmi was reportedly banned from Al-Aqsa Mosque for a week over what Israeli intelligence alleged was ‘incitement’. A few weeks earlier, on 23 January, alongside the aggression and intimidation against other journalists, an Al-Araby TV crew was reportedly prevented from covering the displacement of Jenin residents, faced threats of violence, and authorities threatened to seize their equipment.
Israeli military forces have blocked entry and exit points to key cities such as Jericho, Nablus, and Jenin, making it extremely difficult for journalists to report on the ground. Meanwhile, the ongoing ban on Al Jazeera, imposed by both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, has further curtailed independent reporting, limiting access to reliable information. On 17 February, 2025, an Israeli court upheld the government’s decision to extend the closure of Al Jazeera’s office in Jerusalem and ban its operations for 60 days.
ARTICLE 19 has consistently raised concerns about violations of freedom of expression and outlined the role they play in enabling harm to civilians. We continue to demand accountability for these actions. As the implementation of the ceasefire continues, protecting free expression remains vital for peace-building, justice, and accountability. Press freedom is essential to ensuring that the voices of those on the ground in both the West Bank and Gaza are heard, and that human rights violations are documented.
We call on Israel to immediately cease its attacks on press freedom in the West Bank and Gaza and to end the targeting of journalists in the West Bank and Gaza.
