1. United States
2. Conn.
3. Letter

The mistreatment and torture of Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces is a grave violation of human rights and press freedoms. The story of Abdel Mohsen Shalalda, who endured severe beatings, cigarette burns, and inhumane conditions during his unjust 6-month detention, is appalling. Shalalda's experience sadly mirrors the wider pattern of Israeli forces systematically obstructing, harassing, assaulting, and arbitrarily detaining Palestinian journalists simply for doing their job of reporting truth. According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Authority, Israel has arrested 94 Palestinian journalists since last October, with 50 still detained under appalling conditions as of June. Israeli forces have confiscated or destroyed equipment like cameras, laptops, drones and printing presses belonging to journalists. This unrelenting crackdown represents an assault on freedom of press and Palestinians' right to have their voices heard. These reprehensible actions by Israeli authorities underscore the urgency of imposing tangible consequences, including a comprehensive arms embargo, to compel Israel to end its entrenched human rights abuses against Palestinian civilians, including journalists. Failing to hold Israel accountable only enables the perpetuation of such criminal practices against a largely defenseless population under military occupation.