GENEVA, November 19, 2011 (WAFA) – the Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights (EMOHR) Saturday condemned the Israeli arrest of a Palestinian journalist in Jerusalem, according to a press release.

EMOHR condemned the arrest of al-Quds TV reporter, Isra' Salhab, 26, from Jerusalem after she was summoned for interrogation by the Israeli police in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Following two hours of interrogation, Salhab was detained and put in hand cuffs, whereas her arrest was extended till Monday, said the press release.

EMOHR considered Salhab's arrest as part of the Israeli campaign to pressure and restrict freedom of the press in the Palestinian Territory, particularly following the arrest of another Palestinian journalist from his house in Hebron four days earlier.

Palestinian journalists has been constantly targeted by the Israeli forces; battered, arrested, as well as prevented from crossing military checkpoints to reach their work places, in a blatant violation of international human rights laws and resolutions, said the release.

It added the Israeli violations are incriminating acts according to international law as journalists working in the Palestinian Territory are daily targeted and assaulted.

Five journalists are currently detained in Israeli jails without charges.

The observatory said it intends to address the Untied Nations Human Rights Council to follow the legal stance of Salhab and her follow journalists, considering it a complete Israeli disregard of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in addition to other European, US and international rights agreements.

EMOHR urged to implement all human rights and freedom of speech international resolutions and agreements, as well as intensify efforts and cooperation between press and rights organizations to collect and document the violation.

R.Q./M.S.