This blog was published today by my colleague and friend, Jan, who is on the ground in Hebron. I am re-blogging sections of her post for my readers. Thank you, Jan, for your witness and for this window on the occupation and its systemic violation of human rights.
Freedom of the Press Suppressed
Posted by November 4, 2015
The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly December 10, 1948. It came about in the aftermath of World War 2, and was the result of nations states coming together with the common purpose of affirming human rights for the entire human family, while seeking to avoid the atrocities of war. The drafting committee included Canadian John Humphrey, and was chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt. The document has been ratified by every country in the world and translated into 337 languages. It has been foundational for other declarations and treaties that have been agreed upon since then. As such, it is one of the most important documents of the 20th century.
The Declaration includes 30 articles, covering a wide range of human rights. Article 19 affirms freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. It reads: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
Respect for the freedom of the press and the rights of the residents of Hebron to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media was severely compromised early Tuesday morning, when the Israeli forces entered H1, the fully controlled Palestinian portion of the city of Hebron, at 2:30am. and raided the offices of radio station FM 92.7, HR.PS, carrying a military order that read, in part (translated from Hebrew), “the military commander orders to close the station because it is necessary for public order, for correct governance and for the security of the IDF forces.” According to the order, the station is to cease operation for a period of 6 months. Not only did the IDF close the station, they inflicted serious damage to the office and its equipment.
Radio Station FM 92.7 HR.PS Now off Air ~ Offices Raided 2:30 Tuesday Morning
One of Several Cabinets Vandalized in Raid
Equipment Torn off Walls
Cords, Connectors, etc. Damaged in Raid
One of the Damaged Offices at Radio Station FM 92.7 HR.PS
Freedom of the press is a foundational human right. As the preamble to the UN Declaration of Human Rights so clearly states, “every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive…to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.” Palestinians, as a people under the jurisdiction of Israel (as a result of the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine) are as deserving of this right as the citizens of the 192 countries that have signed the Declaration.
Peace, Salaam, Shalom,
Jan
4justpeace 
Thanks Dawn,
Such terrible thoughtless things going on there. It must break your heart to experience such terrible things happening. It breaks my heart to hear of all the terrible things that are happening there, and I feel for you and others who are working to try to change the situation.
As terrible as it is, I do appreciate being kept up to date with what is happening. It seems so vicious and lacks any sense of care. I do not understand how people can call themselves religious and do such horrible things to other people. I was going to say thoughtless; however, it is not thoughtless at all; it is clearly quite intentional. I always forward several of your articles to our Church in the World Committee.
Thanks for keeping me informed. Thoughts and prayers as you continue to do what you can for people in Paalestine.
with love and appreciation,
Betty
Thank you, Dawn and Jan, for sharing this sad and shameful choice by someone or ones in Israel. While I do not pretend the situation in Canada is anything like that in Palestine, I cannot help but think of Harper’s staunch support of Israel in all matters and of his own suppression of free speech of his own cabinet and members of the civil service, not to mention scientists. If all countries signed this document, it is clear that either they did not understand it or did not think perhaps that it applied to them. I recall spending a month in Chile during Pinochet’s reign of terror. Power cares not for the well being of the people. Power seems to transform those who have it into something less than human. The challenge is to love our enemies so that maybe, just maybe, they see better choices. Blessings to all of you who bear witness to truth.
It is hard to fathom such oppression and violation of the UN Charter of Human Rights as well as the destruction of offices to thwart future publicizing of news. Hopefully, nations will react to this violation of the UN Charter and the ongoing and escalating oppression of Palestinians. Perhaps nations will respond to an outcry from their people for governmental response. How heartbreaking to be in the midst of such acts of oppression and terrorizing. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Dawn.