Palestinian journalists rally, urge UN to protect them after activist’s death

By AFP and ToI Staff 28 June 2021, 7:29 pm

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Journalists protest outside the United Nations office in the West Bank city of Ramallah on June 28, 2021, demanding protection following attacks by Palestinian Authority security forces on their colleagues. (Photo by ABBAS MOMANI / AFP)

Dozens of Palestinian journalists rally outside a UN building in Ramallah to demand press freedom following violent clashes with the Palestinian Authority police sparked by an activist’s death in custody.

Nizar Banat, a 43-year-old from Hebron known for social media videos deploring alleged corruption within the Palestinian Authority, died last week shortly after security forces stormed his home and violently arrested him, according to his family.

Days of clashes between protesters and police have left several journalists injured.

Reporters Without Borders says that during weekend unrest in the West Bank, 12 Palestinian journalists, including five women, have been assaulted by Palestinian Authority police.

Naila Khalil, a reporter with The New Arab media outlet, says Palestinian reporters have submitted a letter to the UN urging the world body “to take necessary and immediate measures” to protect media freedom.

Mohammed Gharafi of the Ultra Palestine news site says he has been harassed by PA security forces who have threatened to confiscate his phone if he does not stop filming the protests.

Nizar Banat, an outspoken of the Palestinian Authority, speaks to journalists at the family house, in the West Bank city of Hebron, May 4, 2021. (AP/Nasser Nasser)

PA Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has said that those responsible for Banat’s death “will be held accountable,” according to the official WAFA news agency.

According to an autopsy, Banat was beaten on the head, chest, neck, legs and hands, with less than an hour elapsing between his arrest and his death.

Banat had registered as a candidate in Palestinian parliamentary elections, which had been set for May until PA President Mahmoud Abbas postponed them indefinitely.