Palestinian reporter held by Israeli authorities for past week

Reporters Without Borders condemns Palestinian journalist Mohamed Jamal Abu Khdeir’s detention by the Israeli security services since 6 November, when he was arrested at Ben Gurion airport on his return from a reporting trip to Cairo and his Jerusalem home was searched. A reporter for the Jerusalem-based Palestinian daily Al-Quds, Khdeir is being held for questioning. His detention was extended yesterday until 18 November. He has not been able to receive visits from his lawyer or his family. “We call for Khdeir’s immediate release and the lifting of the gag order on Israeli media coverage of his detention,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Detaining this journalist in connection with his work and the court order banning coverage of the case are a direct violation of freedom of information, democratic principles and the rule of law.” Khdeir went to Cairo to cover an Arab League foreign ministers meeting. Reporters Without Borders has been told that he is accused of endangering Israel’s security, contact with terrorist organizations and “meeting Israel’s enemies.” He is currently held at the Ashkelon interrogation centre. The gag order on Israeli media coverage of his detention was issued on 10 November and is currently valid until 19 November.