2021-02-21

On January 22, 2021, the I’lam Media Center sent a statement letter to the Minister of Public Security, Amir Ohana. In the letter we demanded that he opens an investigation into the assault of our colleague Tamer Makleda at the hands of five police officers, who attacked Makleda while he was filming the demonstrations against violence on January 21 in Umm al-Fahm.

Makleda was broadcasting live from the location, as part of his job as a photojournalist, when five police officers stopped and attacked him, even after he identified himself as a member of the press. Later, they arrested Makleda and took him to the police station, claiming he was throwing rocks.

Due to this unjust attack on Makleda, I’lam Media Center stresses the importance of media and journalistic activities. It is crucial that journalists are protected by the institutions and the legal frameworks who are responsible, ensuring they have complete freedom. In other words, preventing a journalist from his or her job does not only risk the journalist, but also risks the core democratic principles of freedom of expression and transparency.