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Defending the Rights of Palestinian Journalists from Violations by the Israeli Authorities
A few examples of lobbying efforts on individual cases over 2007-2008:
On December 2007, I’lam sent a letter to MK Sheli Yahemovish, who heads the journalism and freedom of speech committee in the Knesset, regarding the immunity of journalist sources. As a result of this letter, discussion was raised among the internal affairs committee in the Knesset about Israeli police spying on Arab citizens and journalists for security reasons, even if such actions are forbidden under Israeli law. The police spokesperson admitted that 1,500 citizens and one journalist have been spied on, a serious breach to the right to privacy of journalists and citizens and a violation of the rights of Arab journalists to carry out their investigations without interference or threats to their safety.
On 3 March 2008, I’lam sent a letter to the Israeli army spokesperson and the Israeli Press Council (IPC) in order to stop the harassment by the army of Arab journalists from Al Jazeera and Abu Dhabi news networks who were gathered in a group and shooting close to each other in Gaza. Despite the fact that it was obvious that they were a team of journalists working, the army nevertheless targeted them.
In April 2008, I’lam sent a letter to the Military Advocate General of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) requesting an investigation into the killing of Fadel Shanaa, a journalist from Reuters. The army agreed to carry out an investigation, which is still pending.
In March 2008, I’lam sent a letter addressed to both the Israeli Press Council and the Ombudsman of the Israeli Broadcasting Authority (IBA) following the Israeli government’s decision to boycott the Qatari television network Al-Jazeera.
On 3 May 2008 -the Freedom of Expression Day- I’lam released an opinion paper presenting the Israeli situation in terms of the freedom of the press. The editorial piece investigated the number of journalists facing troubles while carrying out their work in Israel, as well as depicting the way Israelis deal with Arab Palestinian journalists in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
May 2008 witnessed the most violent behavior in recent memory on account of the Israeli police toward Arab journalists. The intentional targeting of Arab and foreign journalists while they were covering the Israeli police’s violence towards demonstrators during the 60 years Nakba commemoration march in Safuriyya is a clear indication of the delegitimation and the contempt of the Israeli police for the rights of Arab journalists and the right to freedom of expression and information. I’lam has sent a position paper to Israeli and international NGOs and press agencies such as IFEX, IFJ, BBC, Reuters and others. Adalah, the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel is currently dealing with the police concerning an investigation on the events. I'lam has also been responsible to invite Jewish journalists to a press conference organized by the Higher Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens on account of the Israeli police’s violent actions towards Palestinian demonstrators.
On June 17 2008, a meeting was held with Giora Rosen, the Second Television and Radio Authority's ombudsman at I’lam’s office. Present at the meeting was General Director, Haneen Zoubi and Board Member, Sonia Boulos. The focus of the meeting was to inform Giora Rosen of the followup I’lam did in the aftermath of the Channel 2 journalist’s incitement and cursing of Arab MK Jamal Zahalka, without MK Zahalka being present on the program and having the right to respond.
In August 2008, I’lam released a two page legal directive to Arab journalists on how to deal with the Shabak (Israel’s General Security Services or Shin Bet) investigations that have been ongoing since 2007. I’lam’s legal directive called for 14 specific undertakings on the part of journalists to respond to the investigations. The directive was sent to all Arab journalists in Israel. They were also published in about half of the newspapers and online websites in the Arabic media. I’lam has met with a number of human rights lawyers and has organised workshops for Arab journalists, encompassing four meetings, on how to deal with these investigations. Radio Shams has publicized the legal directive to the community at large.
Defending and Lobbying for Arab Journalists' Rights within their Media Institutions
For the first time in its history, I’lam took the important step to monitor Arab journalists’ socio-economic and labour rights within their own media institutions.
From June 2008, Kholod Masalha, Coordinator of the Media Rights programme, started to gather information on Arab journalists regarding their:
- Social rights and professional conditions at workplaces
- Freedom of expression and professional rights. | 
