Moroccan MP calls for protection of journalist detained by Israel

A Moroccan journalist is currently being held under Israeli custody, but the Member of Parliament Fatima Tamni and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have called for his protection.

As Yabiladi reported on July 27th, Tamni, a member of the Federation of the Democratic Left (FDG), allegedly filed a written appeal to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Nasser Bourita, pleading with him to “protect Moroccan citizen Mohamed El-Bakkali, who is currently detained by Israeli occupation forces.”

According to the news outlet, the humanitarian vessel “Handala” was intercepted on July 26th, El-Bakkali made a distress signal about the impending hostile interaction with Israeli forces and was incarcerated alongside American cameraman, Waad Mohamed Salim Al Taii, who was also aboard the ship.

Tamni reportedly highlighted how the situation occurred on international Mediterranean waters and stated that the Israeli approach was “dangerous and unprecedented.”

A similar incident apparently transpired back in June, when Israeli forces stopped another humanitarian ship destined for Gaza, with one of the passengers, Rima Hassan, being a member of the French parliament.

RSF has since also called for the protection of both El-Bakkali and Al Taii.

The treatment of journalists in Gaza has been a point of contention in the ongoing conflict, countless journalists have been killed by Israeli airstrikes or have been held by Israeli forces. As recently as June 5th, an Israeli missile hit al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, killing five people, in which three were journalists.

News organisations have become concerned about Israel’s decision to restrict journalists from entering or leaving the Gaza strip. In some cases, entire news organisations, such as Al-Jazeera, have been completely prohibited from operating in Gaza.

Over 200 journalists in total have been killed since the conflict began in Gaza.

Yabiladi, Maghrebi.org