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July 15, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
The National Press Club’s Press Freedom Centre has issued a strong call for the immediate release of Palestinian journalist Ali Al-Samoudi, who has been detained by Israeli authorities since May 18, 2024. Al-Samoudi, a veteran journalist based in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, has worked for over two decades with several local and international outlets, including Al-Quds newspaper. He is known for covering Israeli military operations and reporting on Palestinian life under occupation.
The Press Freedom Centre emphasised that Al-Samoudi’s arrest is part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of Israeli authorities targeting Palestinian journalists. Since his detention, he has reportedly not been charged with any specific offence. His arrest came amid a wider crackdown on media workers, especially those reporting from conflict zones in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Centre’s statement called on the Israeli government to either formally charge Al-Samoudi and provide due process or release him immediately. It also urged the United States and international partners to press Israel for transparency and accountability regarding the treatment of journalists in the occupied territories. The organisation highlighted that press freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies and that targeting journalists for doing their job is a clear violation of international law.
The Press Freedom Centre’s call adds to growing international concern over the safety and freedom of journalists in the region. The detention of Al-Samoudi is viewed as part of an escalating effort to silence critical coverage and limit access to on-the-ground reporting in areas affected by Israeli military operations.
The statement concluded with a renewed commitment to stand in solidarity with journalists under threat and to defend the rights of media workers globally. “The freedom of the press must be upheld everywhere,” the Centre declared. “We urge Israeli authorities to respect international norms and immediately release Ali Al-Samoudi.”
This call joins a growing chorus demanding protections for journalists reporting in conflict zones and occupied territories.
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