PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi said:“On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate and honor journalists in Palestine and abroad who have tirelessly and courageously worked to represent the Palestinian human narrative and to report on Israel’s military occupation and its policies of apartheid and ethnic cleansing.

In direct contravention of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that calls for the protection of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, Israel is engaging in an ongoing policy that deliberately targets media institutions and journalists in Palestine. Currently, 20 Palestinian journalists are being detained by Israel, including Omar Nazzal who is being held under the unlawful practice of administrative detention. We call on members of the international community, including the International Federation of Journalists, to take immediate action to curb Israel’s ongoing breach of international and humanitarian law and to safeguard Palestinian and foreign journalists from Israeli violations.”

In addition, Dr. Ashrawi stressed, “Acts and measures that promote censorship, prevent access to information and curb freedom of expression in Palestine are in complete contradiction to the principles enshrined in the Basic Law. It is essential that we safeguard the freedom of the press and all other fundamental human rights of the Palestinian people.