Told by reporter Assri Fayyad
Age: 34
Residence: Jenin Refugee camp
Profession: Reporter
for Islamic newspaper and employee at the Jenin Newspaper office
Marital Status: Married
and father to 4
On 10/3/89, at 7 in the morning, I was busy with the opening of the press office I currently work at. All of a sudden, an Israeli military patrol stopped and one soldier asked me for my ID. I gave it to him along with my press card. The soldiers told me that I was violating Israeli instructions on the curfew. I denied knowing that the city was under curfew since the dawn of that day. The soldiers took me to the Israeli court tents set in Jenin and then to al-Farigha military camp, and then to Ketsi’ot detention center in the Negev where I was informed that I was under six months administrative detention.
In 1990, I do not remember the exact
date, I was walking in the streets of Jenin. With me, I had copies of a book
written by Dr. Abdul Sattar Kassem, on the experience in Ketsi’ot military
camp. An Israeli military patrol stopped and the soldiers starting beating me
up and kicking me, even though I showed them my press card. They took me to the
police station in Jenin and then to the military court headquarters. After
inspecting the books, I was released.
Since 1996, the Israelis have been
asking for me. The Palestinian security forces informed me that there is no
freedom of movement for me in areas other than those belonging to the PNA in
Jenin and its districts. This means that I cannot go to areas of 1948, and I
cannot leave Jenin. I cannot move anywhere simply because I am holding a green
ID card. I have had this card in the period between January 1990 and June 1991.
As it is known to everyone, whoever owns an ID like man, is forbidden from
entering 1948 areas or travel abroad. Also, the owner of such a card is subject
to harassment and nuisances on military checkpoints while going from one West
Bank town to another.
On 9/3/96, I was arrested by the
Palestinian security forces, mainly the GI, following the suicide attacks which
were conducted by Islamic militants on Israeli targets. I spent 11 days in
Jneid prison in solitary confinement, and 37 days in a solitary confinement in
Jericho prison. I was released 6 months later. I was interrogated on my
relations with the Islamic Jihad, and accused of being a messenger receiving
money from the Jihad and giving this money to the needy. I was also
interrogated on my press work and my relation with al-Rissallah, al-Istiqlal,
and other newspapers. At the time, I was a reporter for al-Istiqlal which is
released in Gaza. I was covering incidents taking place north of the West Bank.
GI members in Jericho warned me to get an official permit from the GI in order
for me to continue working in the field of journalism. I do not exactly know
what they want me to do. It seems that they only want to scare me for being a
reporter that leans to the Jihad or other factions. Until today, I have no idea
what they meant by their warning.
What happened with me proves that
freedom of movement, expression and basic freedoms are not followed. They are
rather corrupt and utterly violated. I continued my work, but in a different
manner. I still report to al-Istiqlal and other newspapers, but under a
borrowed name, especially in newspapers belonging to the opposition, and
especially Islamic opposition. What is most important for me is to write and to
report the truth as it is. I have every right to use a borrowed name in order
to avoid trouble and to draw away any suspicion. Working or reporting for an
Islamic newspaper or a newspaper belonging to an opposition, exposes me to
interrogation by both the PNA and Israel. I have a family and children to worry
about, and therefore I cannot risk exposing myself. I am obliged to continue
working however, in order to support my family. I write freely on all issues,
especially violations committed by Israelis and the PNA.
Reporters face a great deal of
trouble from the security forces. This leads me to the personal relationships
between a journalist and the security forces, whether this relationship is
negative or positive.
There are ‘red lines’ that no one is
supposed to cross. What I understand from these red lines is that they are
elastic. Their understanding is mysterious. I do not understand what is
forbidden and what is allowed anymore.
Every time I write or compose
something, I start thinking whether I will be caught. I have one last thing to
say that in the absence of a strong and solid union body for journalists,
journalism and the life of journalists become difficult and full of worries.
Not for publishing