RAMALLAH, April 19, 2018 (WAFA) – PLO Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi Thursday condemned Israel‘s closure of Elia for Media youth organization in occupied Jerusalem.
She said in a press release, "We strongly condemn Israel‘s closure of the youth organization "Elia for Media" in occupied Jerusalem which works closely with young Palestinians to offer them courses in media, journalism, photography, and videography, produce films about Jerusalem and to provide information services to institutions in Jerusalem.”
The closure was authorized on Tuesday by Israel‘s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Ashrawi said the closure is part of Israel‘s ongoing policy that targets and closes Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, including the Orient House, the official address of the PLO and the headquarters of the Palestinian negotiation team, the Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Palestinian Prisoners‘ Society, the Department of Social Services, and the Office for National Institutions.
“These acts are in direct violation of Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres‘ promise to Norwegian Foreign Minister Johan Holst in October 1993 that he will "not hamper" the activities of the Palestinian institutions. In the same letter, Peres also wrote, "I wish to confirm that the Palestinian institutions of East Jerusalem and the interests and well being of the Palestinians of East Jerusalem are of great importance and will be preserved."
She added that the closure of "Elia for Media" is in grave breach of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which calls for the protection of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
“Clearly, Israel is employing policies that deliberately target media institutions in Palestine.”
Ashrawi urged all members of the international community to act immediately and to curb Israel‘s cruel and systematic efforts to prejudge the fate of Jerusalem and to continue with the illegal annexation and ethnic cleansing of the occupied city before it is too late."
M.H.
