Dissent and the media Criticism of Hamas

hamas mural in west bank

human rights groups , gazans have accused hamas government in gaza strip of restricting freedom of press , forcefully suppressing dissent. both foreign , palestinian journalists report harassment , other measures taken against them. in september 2007 gaza interior ministry disbanded gaza strip branch of pro-fatah union of palestinian journalists, move criticized reporters without borders. in november of year hamas government arrested british journalist , time canceled press cards in gaza. on february 8, 2008, hamas banned distribution of pro-fatah al-ayyam newspaper, , closed offices in gaza strip because ran caricature mocked legislators loyal hamas,. gaza strip interior ministry later issued arrest warrant editor.

more widely, in late august 2007 group accused in telegraph, conservative british newspaper, of torturing, detaining, , firing on unarmed protesters had objected policies of hamas government. in late august, palestinian health officials reported hamas government had been shutting down gaza clinics in retaliation doctor strikes – hamas government confirmed punitive measure against doctors because, in view, had incited other doctors suspend services , go out on strike. in september 2007 hamas government banned public prayers, after fatah supporters began holding worship sessions escalated raucous protests against hamas rule. government security forces beat several gathering supporters , journalists. in october 2008, hamas government announced release political prisoners in custody in gaza. several hours after announcement, 17 fatah members released.

on august 2, 2012, international federation of journalists (ifj) accused hamas of harassing elected officials belong palestinian journalists syndicate (pjs) in gaza. ifj said journalists leaders in gaza have faced campaign of intimidation, threats designed force them stop union work. of these journalists facing charges of illegal activities , travel ban, due refusal give in pressure . ifj said these accusations malicious , should dropped . ifj explained campaign against pjs members began in march 2012, after election, , included raid organized hamas supporters took on pjs offices in gaza of security forces, , subsequently evicted staff , elected officials. other harassment includes targeting of individuals bullied stopping union work. ifj backed pjs , called on prime minister ismail haniyeh intervene stop officials unwarranted interference in journalists affairs . in november 2012, 2 gazan journalists prevented leaving gaza hamas. there scheduled participate in conference in cairo, egypt. after being questioned security forces, passports confiscated. in 2016 reporters without borders condemned hamas censorship , torturing journalists. reporters without borders secretary-general christophe deloire said living conditions in gaza strip disastrous, hamas wants silence critics , not hesitate torture journalist in order control media coverage in territory.