Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)

Numerous violations were committed against journalists during July 2011, particularly while journalists were covering peaceful weekly marches and activities regularly hosted in several locations across the West Bank.

Samer Allawy’s brother was informed that the journalist was in custody and would be moved to Aljalameh prison for four days of investigation.

Campaigns launched by MADA call for a halt to Israeli attacks on press freedom, as well as an end to the influence Palestinian internal political divisions have on the media.

In the first six months of 2011 MADA has monitored 113 violations on press freedom in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), including 68 committed by the security services of the West Bank and Gaza and 45 committed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

The motive for the attack remains unclear as the agency has not received any complaints about its news reports or recent threats, according to their correspondent Ibrahim Mohammed Khalil.

MADA monitored 13 violations against journalists during the month of June, with a noted decrease in the number of attacks stemming from Palestinian security services.

The workshops, which have been offered with the support of Foundation for the Future, come as part of a series of sessions held by MADA to inform and assist journalists in the various cities across the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

While filming officers detaining students, Moáyad Alashkar was approached by an officer who confiscated his camera, and identification.