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May 18, 2025 – Palestine/Israel/USA –
On May 17, 2025, American journalist Eric Maddox was detained by the Israeli army while documenting a march organized by illegal Israeli settlers in the Old City of Hebron, located in the southern West Bank. Maddox, an activist and podcaster from California, was filming what was described as a “provocative march” when he was assaulted by settlers and subsequently arrested by Israeli soldiers. Footage shared on social media platforms, including the Quds News Network, shows Maddox surrounded by Israeli soldiers who handcuffed and detained him. Issa Amro, founder of Youth Against Settlements, suggested that the Israeli authorities aimed to prevent the documentation and exposure of events occurring in Hebron to the international community.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of journalists and the broader issue of settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Such actions have led to increased scrutiny from international human rights organizations and media advocacy groups, who have called for greater protection of journalists and accountability for those responsible for attacks on the press.
The Israeli army’s actions in this case are part of a broader pattern of detentions and restrictions on journalists operating in the West Bank. For instance, in September 2024, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported 185 violations against journalists, including detentions and obstructions of media coverage by Israeli forces. These incidents underscore the challenges faced by journalists working in conflict zones, where access to information and the ability to report freely are often impeded.
The detention of Eric Maddox serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding press freedom and ensuring that journalists can carry out their work without fear of harassment or detention. It also calls attention to the need for international mechanisms to hold accountable those who violate the rights of journalists and impede the free flow of information.
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