The European Newspaper ItaliaTelegraph Demands the Release of Moroccan Journalist Mohamed El-Bekkali and Holds the Israeli Occupation Forces Fully Responsible

italiatelegraph

Abdellah Mechnoune

The European editorial board of the ItaliaTelegraph strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of the Moroccan journalist Mohamed El-Bekkali, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, who was aboard the “Hanzala” ship attempting to break the siege on Gaza. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of El-Bekkali and all those detained with him, and hold the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for their safety.

The Israeli army arrested El-Bekkali on Saturday, along with activists from different countries, while they were on board the “Hanzala” ship, which was heading towards Gaza in a humanitarian and symbolic mission. The ship was carrying some food and medical supplies to the besieged people of Gaza, who have been suffering for months under continuous Israeli bombardment, systematic starvation, and collective punishment.

Numerous professional, political, and anti-normalization groups in Morocco have sharply condemned the detention, calling on Moroccan authorities to assume full responsibility for protecting the journalist and securing his release.

The Moroccan National Press Syndicate strongly denounced this arbitrary arrest and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mohamed El-Bekkali and all the people aboard the ship. It also called upon all international organizations concerned with press freedom and human rights to urgently intervene and pressure the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of the crew.

Similarly, the Moroccan Association for the Support of the Nation’s Causes condemned the kidnapping of the Al Jazeera correspondent and the other activists on board, describing the Israeli behavior as a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law and a clear assault on the rights of the press, freedom of expression, and the struggle of free people worldwide in defense of justice and legitimate causes, foremost among them the Palestinian cause.

The association demanded that the Moroccan state take full responsibility for protecting El-Bekkali, condemn this Israeli aggression, and work towards his immediate release and safe return to his family and homeland. It also called for the immediate cessation of all normalization with the Israeli entity and criminalizing normalization acts, urging all free people and activists in Morocco to express solidarity with the “Hanzala” crew and the Moroccan journalist.

The National Press Syndicate closely monitors the serious incident involving the “Hanzala” humanitarian aid ship, which was heading to Gaza, and the arrest of its passengers, including the Moroccan journalist Mohamed El-Bekkali.

The syndicate emphasized that the Israeli forces intercepted the ship after a series of harassment acts in international waters, less than seven hours from reaching the Gaza shores, which is a blatant violation of the peaceful and humanitarian mission, and an attack on a legitimate journalistic endeavor.

This act constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and the protection rules of journalists performing their duties, especially in conflict zones. It also reflects Israel’s disregard for universal human rights principles and represents a serious threat to journalists’ professional safety.

The syndicate renewed its full solidarity with Mohamed El-Bekkali and all journalists and human rights activists involved in this initiative. It called for continuing national and international mobilization to break the media and humanitarian siege imposed on Gaza and hold the Israeli occupation accountable for its repeated crimes against journalists and civilians.

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