Israel’s 57 November assaults on Palestinian journalists raise alarm
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 8 December 2025 | JP Middle East Desk
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In November 2025, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate detailed 57 assaults on journalists in the occupied territories. The report calls for international intervention to protect media workers amidst growing violence.Summary
RAMALLAH — A new monthly assessment by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) details 57 separate violations against Palestinian journalists in the occupied West Bank and Gaza during November 2025. The report warns the incidents represent a “continued systematic escalation” aimed at obstructing media work and undermining press freedom. According to the report, two journalists, one in Tulkarem and another in Gaza, were wounded by live ammunition or plastic-coated bullets while covering events. The list of abuses also includes detentions, physical assaults, equipment confiscation, forced deletion of media material, and even destruction or seizure of journalists’ vehicles.
Escalating settler-linked attacks on journalists
Most severe incidents were reportedly carried out by illegal settlers operating across multiple parts of the West Bank. The PJS notes that some 22 of the assaults involved settlers preventing coverage, chasing journalists, beating them with sticks, throwing stones, and brandishing weapons. These actions often occurred even when journalists wore clearly marked press vests, a practice that would normally afford them protection under international humanitarian law.
The report further documents 16 cases of detentions or obstruction of journalistic work, six direct physical attacks, four cases of equipment confiscation or media deletion, and two incidents where weapons were pointed directly at media professionals. Additionally, there were reports of home raids, court summonses for journalists, and destruction or confiscation of their vehicles.
Growing calls for international monitoring
In response, the head of the PJS Press Freedoms Committee, Mohammed al-Lahham, described the findings as evidence of a concerted effort to silence Palestinian media coverage. He called on the international community to step up pressure for protection and insisted on the need for an international monitoring mechanism to safeguard journalists operating in conflict zones.
The documented violence and intimidation pose significant risks for media professionals trying to cover developments on the ground, particularly as conflict and humanitarian crises continue. Journalists face life-threatening hazards simply for doing their jobs. Media organisations and advocacy groups say these abuses undermine the public’s right to know and hamper efforts toward accountability and transparency in the region.
ATTRIBUTION: Based on reporting by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and aggregated by Anadolu News, Tehran Times, and other sources
PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only
KEY POINTS:
- 57 reported violations against Palestinian journalists in November 2025.
- Two journalists were injured by live ammunition and plastic bullets.
- Illegal settlers were responsible for many assaults, including physical violence.
- Violations included equipment confiscation and forced media deletions.
- PJS calls for international protection and monitoring for journalists.
