Ramallah – Palestinian journalists endure very complicated and harsh conditions compared to many of their colleagues around the world. Every one of them is exposed at any moment to Israeli bullets, assault or and arrest.

Journalists in the Palestinian territories often cover protests, clashes, raids and arrest campaigns, which expose them more than others to dangers. In many cases, they face even more complicated dangers because their political opinions and affiliations could land them in jail, without charge if necessary, or put them under a travel ban.

Twenty-six Palestinian journalists detained by Israel recently announced a hunger strike in solidarity with other Palestinian prisoners. The official data of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate shows that more than 500 Palestinian journalists were physically abused in 2016 by Israeli authorities.

A few days ago, Nasser Abu Baker, the chairman of the Syndicate, submitted a draft resolution to the executive committee of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) meeting in Moscow, shedding light on the hunger strike by the Palestinian prisoners.

Abu Baker tackled the physical and mental condition of the 26 journalists, along with over 1,600 Palestinian prisoners, who have been on a mass hunger strike since April 17. They are demanding an improvement in their living conditions, an end to solitary confinement and the policy of administrative detention and a lift on restrictions to their family visits.

The IFJ called on the Israeli government to release the journalists, who have been arrested for months without trial.

In its statement, the IFJ said that its executive committee in Moscow adopted the draft resolution submitted by the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate. The draft also stressed the fair demands of the hunger strikers.

The Federation renewed its condemnation of the oppressive Israeli practices against journalists, such as travel bans, deprivation from practicing their profession and physical assaults.