Israel arrests Palestinian NBC journalist accused of ‘inciting terrorism’ on social media
A Palestinian journalist working for NBC News was reportedly arrested by Israeli authorities on Thursday “on suspicion of inciting terrorism and identifying with a terrorist organization.” “
The Jerusalem Post reported on Saturday that Marwat Al-Azza, a freelance reporter who lives in East Jerusalem, was arrested in response to her social media posts about the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
“These are very serious crimes in a time of declared war when the respondent lives and makes a living in the same country that is under attack but still chooses to carry out the terrible actions it was done to encourage and glorify civilians,” a police spokesman said in court, according to The Post.
The newspaper said that Al-Azza was cooperating with authorities when she was arrested and admitted that she was given the roles correctly.
JON LOVITZ SLAMS ‘idiot’ JOHN OLIVER SHOCKED OVER OUR SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL: HE IS ‘SHOCKED’ America Backs A Friend
NBC cut ties with Palestinian journalist Marwat Al-Azza, 45, after she was arrested by Israeli officials. (YouTube/@mohammedassar)
“This is an ordinary woman, engaged in journalism, and her profession is very important to everyone,” her defense lawyer said according to the Post. “She was asked in her investigation about the work her I believe that she cooperated fully in the things that were given to her.”
According to Haaretz, on October 7 Al-Azza wrote on Facebook about an elderly woman who was kidnapped, “It kills me, it’s a black comedy, the old lady looks happy, some action before she dies.”
She also reportedly posted: “Sirens all the time, the Jews are hiding and the Arabs are out drinking coffee on their balconies,” and “I feel that I’m watching a movie where the Palestinian director and the main people are from Gaza. “
An NBC News spokesperson told the New York Post, “Ms. Azza’s investigation is not affiliated with NBC News. It is based on her personal Facebook posts that predated her time with us as a volunteer. We were aware of these positions before we did so Ms. Azza contacted four weeks ago. She will not be contributing to our coverage in the future.”
PROGRESSIVE WESTERN WOMEN CONVERTING TO ISLAM, SHARING REASON ON SOCIAL MEDIA SINCE 10/7 HAMAS ATTACK
Protesters hold banners with pictures of hostages, Israeli and US flags during a demonstration of support for Israel in Sant Jaume square in Barcelona on October 15, 2023. (LUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
The New York Post reported Monday that the journalist was hired by NBC News “around October 21,” according to network sources.
NBC News did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The arrests come as Western news organizations face intense scrutiny of Palestinian journalists they hire to cover the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
CNN recently cut ties with photojournalist Hassan Eslaiah after an image resurfaced on social media showing him taking a cozy selfie with the Hamas leader.
Click here to get the FOX NEWS app
A spokesperson for NBC News said: “Ms. Azza told NBC News. It is based on her personal Facebook posts from before her time with us as a freelancer. We were not aware of these roles before we engaged Ms. Azza four a week ago. She will not be contributing to our coverage going forward.” (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
