Israel must stop harassing Palestinian journalist and grant him permanent residency
Israeli authorities have been detaining Palestinian journalist Mustafa Al-Kharouf since 22nd January and tried to deport him to Jordan on 21st July. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) have condemned the actions as serious violations of Al-Kharouf’s fundamental rights and called on Israel to stop obstructing Palestinian journalists’ work.
Mustafa Al-Kharouf, aged 33, was born in Algeria and arrived in Palestine with his family at the age of 12. He now lives in occupied East-Jerusalem, but the Israeli authorities repeatedly denied him permanent resident status, which makes him stateless.
He was arrested on 22nd January after the government ordered his immediate expulsion to Jordan.
Al-Kharouf is a photojournalist for Anadolu Agency (AA), which has repeatedly exposed Israeli attacks on Palestinian citizens’ rights.
The PJS said: “We consider the continued detention of Al-Kharouf and the intention to keep him away from his homeland and family a shameless attack on his right to live and work in the city of Jerusalem, where he comes from and has been living and working for 20 years. It is also an attack against the press corps and a serious development in the series of attacks that take place with impunity.”
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Mustafa Al-Kharouf’s fundamental rights have continuously been violated by Israeli authorities. He must be released immediately and granted permanent residency so that he can do his job freely. We reiterate our calls on Israel to stop targeting Palestinian journalists.
Press Release, Brussels, Aug. 9.