NUJ concerned at arrest of journalist Nathalie Blackham
On 1 September, Israeli authorities arrested and detained the journalist for several hours in Israel.
The National Union of Journalists has expressed its concern over the arrest of Nathalie Blackham this week. The journalist’s family reports she was arrested in Abu Ghosh, Israel and held at Castel Police Station, West of Jerusalem where she was eventually released on charges of driving whilst using a mobile phone.
Blackham has been critical of the Israeli government in her reporting and believes this influenced the authorities’ decision to detain her. Despite showing a press card, she was held for hours and her family state requests made for drinking water amid rising temperatures were denied. The journalist also suffered bruises arising from her arrest and it is understood she was threatened with deportation.
Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, said:
“We call on the Israeli authorities once again, to respect press freedom and the role of journalists undertaking their work. Targeted arrests of journalists only serve to further undermine and erode freedom of expression and access to journalism."