freedom of the press

An Israeli soldier tries to block photographers from taking pictures during clashes at a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Hebron, December 10, 2017. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

In 10-year low, Israel censored an average of four articles a day in 2020

According to official figures, 2020 saw Israel's military censor barring full publication of 116 articles and partially redacting another 1,403 stories.

By Haggai Matar April 7, 2021

An Israeli soldier attempts to block the view of a photographer as soldiers body search Palestinian men in the West Bank city of Hebron on June 22, 2017. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

A spike in censorship: Israel censored on average one news piece a day in 2018

The IDF Censor prohibited the publication of more news reports last year than in almost any other year this decade. While fewer articles were submitted for review than in previous years, the percentage of stories that were partially or fully censored was significantly higher. Israel’s military censor prohibited the publication of 363 news articles in 2018,…

By Haggai Matar March 15, 2019

Israeli soldiers show an order for a closed military zone to a cameraman on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza, November 15, 2012. (by: Oren Ziv/Activesillts.org)

IDF Censor redacted 2,358 news articles last year

While the number of articles submitted to the IDF Censor decreased in 2017, the percentage of articles that it fully or partially redacted went up. Israel’s Military Censor outright prohibited the publication of 271 articles in 2017, more than five a week, and partially or fully redacted a total of 2,358 news items submitted to it…

By Haggai Matar July 4, 2018

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Closing of station part of assault on the free media. Mossi Raz, Jericho, early 2011. (Photo: Yossi Gurvitz)

Police shut down Jewish-Palestinian radio station

Kol Hashalom, which operates from Ramallah, was suddenly shut down on Thursday, based on what appears to be flimsy evidence A small radio station, “Kol Hashalom,” unique in that it was directed jointly by a Palestinian and a Jew, was abruptly shut down by the Israeli police on Thursday. Kol Hashalom, which roughly means “All…

By Yossi Gurvitz November 19, 2011

IDF soldiers launch attack on photojournalists

By Mati Milstein If you seek to obtain a truly comprehensive picture of the state of press freedom and freedom of expression in territories under Israeli control, come watch Israeli soldiers shoot at journalists in the West Bank. On Friday, 29 July, at the start of the weekly Palestinian demonstration in the West Bank village…

By +972 Magazine August 2, 2011

Web rallies to the aid of kidnapped “A gay girl in Damascus” blogger

Prominent American-Syrian political blogger Amina Abdallah Arraf abducted by armed young men in Damascus * Whereabouts remain unknown * Letter-writing campaign begins, targeting senators, the White House and Syrian embassies * Updates below The Syrian-American author of one of the most important political blogs in Syria appears to have been apprehended by one of the…

By Dimi Reider June 6, 2011