Walid Al Omary, the bureau chief of Al Jazeera Channel in Jerusalem, has been reportedly detained by Israeli authorities since Sunday 16 July. It follows a wave of problems for Al Jazeera news crews covering the major world news story of the conflict in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Al Jazeera correspondent Ilyas Karram was detained shortly after the first wave of Hezbollah missiles hit Haifa, but subsequently released.
Al Jazeera says that no explanations for Mr Al Omarys detention have been given by the Israeli authorities and says that Al Jazeeras reporters are prevented from carrying out their work.
“Al Jazeera hereby expresses its utmost disapproval and strong denunciation of the Israeli authorities obstruction of its coverage of the conflict and reiterates its adherence to internationally recognized professional journalistic standards. Al Jazeera is covering the conflict showing the different opinions in the war, particularly the Lebanese and Israeli points-of-view, with accuracy, balance, and integrity.
“Al Jazeera demands the immediate release of its Bureau Chief Mr. Walid Al Omary so that he, along with the rest of his team, can continue their work without hindrance and obstruction.”