Israel Closes Palestinian Media Groups in West Bank Raids

journalists_attacked_orenziv_activestills — Israeli troops detain a Palestinian journalist at a protest against the illegal settlement outpost of Adei Ad in the West Bank. (Photo: Oren Ziv, Activestills.org, file)

Israeli forces closed several Palestinian media companies in the occupied West Bank in a wave of overnight raids, drawing criticism from the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The Israeli military authority in the occupied territories, COGAT, said in a statement that it raided eight Palestinian companies, accusing them of inciting violence against Israel.

“These practices are part of a mentality that rejects peace,” said Palestinian government spokesman Yusuf Mahmoud.

Israeli forces ransack, shut down Palestinian media companies#DeleteIsrael #UnitedForPalestine #ThirdIntifada https://t.co/8kGkyeDkkL pic.twitter.com/vLCpXHBSH1

— Palestine Foundation (@plfpak) October 18, 2017

Israel also reportedly detained 14 Palestinians in overnight raids across the West Bank, according to Palestinian news agency Ma’an.

The raids came a week after rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah reached a deal to heal their decade-long rift and form a unity government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that Israel is opposed to any deal involving Hamas unless the group disarms and recognizes Israel, requests which have also been made by the US.

(MEMO, PC, Social Media)