Palestinian Journalists Syndicate slams assault on journalists in Jerusalem

RAMALLAH, March 18, 2026 – The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned Israeli forces' assault on several journalists and foreigners in occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday evening while they were performing their professional duties covering events.

“RAMALLAH, March 18, 2026 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the Israeli forces' assault on several journalists and foreigners in occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday evening while they were performing their professional duties covering events”

WAFA Agency

Five journalists were assaulted, including a CNN correspondent who suffered a broken arm, the director of Xinhua News Agency's Jerusalem bureau, a photographer from the Turkish Anadolu Agency, and other journalists.

Israeli forces also detained two journalists, including the Xinhua bureau director, before releasing them later.

The syndicate noted that the assault involved destruction and theft of journalists' equipment, including memory cards, in an attempt to prevent documentation of violations and obstruct the work of media crews.

It described the attack as a flagrant violation of international laws and conventions that guarantee freedom of the press and protect journalists, and said it is part of a policy aimed at restricting media work.

The union held the occupying authorities fully responsible for the safety of journalists and called on international organizations concerned with press freedom, notably the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, to intervene urgently to provide protection for journalists and hold those responsible to account.

It stressed that it would continue to pursue these attacks legally at all levels.

The syndicate described the assault as a flagrant violation of international laws and conventions that guarantee freedom of the press.

It argued that the attack is part of a policy aimed at restricting media work.

“RAMALLAH, March 18, 2026 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the Israeli forces' assault on several journalists and foreigners in occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday evening while they were performing their professional duties covering events”

WAFA Agency

It called on international organizations, particularly the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, to intervene urgently to protect journalists and hold those responsible to account.

It also said it would pursue these attacks legally at all levels.

The union argued that the assault reflects a broader policy aimed at restricting media work in occupied Jerusalem.

“RAMALLAH, March 18, 2026 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the Israeli forces' assault on several journalists and foreigners in occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday evening while they were performing their professional duties covering events”

WAFA Agency

It asserted that the occupying authorities bear full responsibility for journalists' safety.

It warned that such actions heighten risks for reporters covering events in the city.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate stated it would continue pursuing legal action at all levels to hold those responsible accountable and to seek protection for journalists going forward.