World

Israel Arrests Al-Jazeera Reporter in the West Bank

JERUSALEM (The Blaze/AP) — Israel has arrested a Palestinian journalist who works for the Arabic language Al-Jazeera satellite network, and a journalists’ advocacy group says he is being held without charges.

Al-Jazeera said in a release issued Monday that Samer Allawi, its bureau chief in Afghanistan, was taken into custody on Aug. 10 as he tried to leave the West Bank to return to the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The Committee to Protect Journalists in New York said in a statement that Allawi has been detained without charges and called on Israel to clarify the legal basis for holding him.

The Israeli military, Shin Bet internal security service and police had no comment on the affair Tuesday. Still, the Guardian has more information on the arrest:

The Israeli authorities originally informed Allawi’s family that he would be held for four days for questioning, saying that it was a “security-related arrest.”

Last Thursday, the authorities told Al-Jazeera that Allawi’s detention would be extended to eight days.

Allawi’s lawyer has since been told that his client will appear before an Israeli military judge later today.

Al-Jazeera said Allawi was in the West Bank spending his annual vacation with his family in his native village of Sebastia.

The lawyer sent to defend him said he was questioned about his work and personal relationships, dating back to his schooldays in the West Bank, the Al-Jazeera statement said.

Allawi was also interrogated about his personal finances and asked if he had any contact with American, Jordanian and Palestinian intelligence forces, Al-Jazeera said.

Investigators also took his password for his personal email and work password, the statement added.

Comments (30)

  • Windsong
    Posted on August 17, 2011 at 2:59am

    So, let me understand this. Al Jezeera, who hates Israel, sent a ‘journalist’ to Judea and Sumaria to ‘vacation’, and is complaining that Israel is holding said ‘journalist’ just because they are mean?
    Ever flown El-Al? You should. It’s ten times safer than any American flight, ten times more competent at discerning bad guys and ten times more vigilant…probably because of those silly articles Al Jezeera prints about wiping Israel off the map, and ‘giving’ that land to a group of Arabs that, after a few thousand years, decided to change their name to ‘Palestinians”. Huh.

    Report Post »  
  • lylejk
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:07pm

    You associate with terrorist, then you are one. No holds bar. Let him rot I say. No tolerance for terrorist symphathizers that continue to have relationships with them. Sorry, but I have no tolerance for anyone associated with terrorist period; they may as well have dialed the phone that set off the IED. :)

    Report Post » lylejk  
  • sabrinacle
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 5:47pm

    I am glad they are keeping a sharp eye on those who profess to be journalist but are really nothing more then provacatours. Go Israel. God bless Israel. Gods love and protection rain down on Israel

    Report Post » sabrinacle  
  • MrKnowItAll
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 12:15pm

    Now this is REAL NEWS!

    Report Post » MrKnowItAll  
  • green_manalishi
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:47am

    Another liberal journalist who is also a terrorist, excuse me for being redundant

    Report Post »  
  • last frontier
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:38am

    Now how will Hillary keep up with world affairs, with a terrorist twist.

    Report Post » last frontier  
  • Servant Of YHVH
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:27am

    “Israel Arrests Al-Jazeera Reporter in the West Bank”
    Since when did al-jazeera start hiring reporters?

    Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:16am

    .
    Al-Jazeera is the ESPN of Terroist’s…………..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • pecosval
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:09am

    Hope it is Andrea Mitchell! She loves Al Jezeera.

    Report Post »  
  • burr99
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 9:01am

    Lmao, more evidence of the arrogant main stream media. “The Committee to Protect Journalists in New York said in a statement that Allawi has been detained without charges and called on Israel to clarify the legal basis for holding him.” Just who do they think they are?! Israel is a sovereign nation, that has the right to protect itself. Go Israel!

    Report Post »  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:22am

      @walkwithme
      “I believe that sometimes – Israel goes to far!!”
      How so? By arresting a palestinian? Yep, I can see where that could go too far because after all Israel has no right to protect itself and has no right to check out possible terrorist activities or anything anti-Israel. Correct?

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • JLGunner
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:38am

      @ walkwithme Israel shows great dicipline with all these folks that want to see them “driven into the sea”. The enemy has many faces and are hiding in many places. Israel has every right to do whats needed to protect themselves. If american journalists don’t like it “tough”. Remember, they operate one of the safest airlines in exsistance (El Al) while we pat down 8 year old kids and grandmothers in whealchairs. Whos the expert?

      Report Post » JLGunner  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:54am

    Hope they rot in an Israeli jail.

    Report Post » BlackCrow  
  • 101
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:50am

    If Israel is like the US and passed “The Patriot Act” they can hold him indefinitely for no reason and refuse him legal defense foreign or domestic.

    Report Post »  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:32am

    Its Judea and Samaria, not the west bank.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • Vickie Dhaene
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:06am

      You are right. Glenn Beck just told us to never call it the West Bank again. That’s the first thing that popped into my head as I read headline.

      Report Post »  
    • ramburner
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 6:37pm

      GOOD for YOU, you took my comment! I HATE the media SO MUCH, I will NEVER use the west bank to describe Judea and Samaria again! Thank you Glenn, but, get on your reporters, please!

      Report Post »  
    • morioka
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:12pm

      thank you.

      Report Post »  
  • Locked
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:12am

    Eh, Israel is not America. I believe their laws allow detention for a few weeks without any charges being given. Israel is not known for its legal rights; it’s known for being effective. If that means that an individual’s rights get trampled, so be it.

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:09am

    You go, ISRAEL! Why aren’t we doing the same here????? Start with OUR HOUSE and clean house! NOW!

    Report Post »  
  • campkronk
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:45am

    See even Israel knows a real news organization when they have them in custody. They were just getting the unfiltered facts when they invited him stay. I stand with Stu who stands with Israel while standing behind his wife.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:45am

    will be interesting to see what he is charged with AND did anyone notice they asked him if he was in contact with AMERICAN intelligence agancy???? that says a great deal right there about how little they trust the US

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:07am

      No offense, but in the case of the American intelligence agencies; the Obama administration is working with the terrorist “rebels” of Libya and pretty much thrown Israel to the wolves surrounding her, so I would say they have more than enough justification to be concerned.

      Also consider this, maybe they have become aware of an infiltrator or band of turncoats within the various intel groups of America; and of course the administration would do nothing about it.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Seede
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 11:15am

      If you were an Israeli would you trust Obama? You would be a dam fool if you did. The Clinton Obama DC gang wants Israel exterminated.

      Report Post »  
  • kralspaces
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:26am

    Israel law allows them to hold anyone for 30 days without charge. I read that in Al Jazeer about another story where they held a movie director from Jerin.

    Report Post » kralspaces  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:54am

      I wish they would hold Obama for 30 days, it might give our economy a boost.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • quicker
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:16am

      @ GONZO;Well at least he`ll be on vacation for 10 days.Vacation, Shoots I haven`t had one since my mother and father in law passed away.And that hardly counts as one.

      Report Post » quicker  
  • GayDem4Beck
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 7:14am

    Hey Glenn…. someone needs to tell your folks overseeing the Blaze that you don’t want anyone using the term “West Bank” anymore. Just saying.

    Report Post » GayDem4Beck  
    • Wyatt's Torch
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 8:19am

      yeah..what he said… Is this “west bank” place somewhere near Judea?

      Report Post » Wyatt's Torch  

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