It’s a Mistake

Israel’s repression of fundamental human rights in the Arab territories that it occupies is a mistake that can only undermine the nation’s commitment to freedom and democratic solutions.

The latest action targets the Palestine Press Service in Jerusalem. This Arab-operated agency has proved an important element of domestic and world press coverage of the Arab lands occupied by Israel since the 1967 war, providing fast and usually accurate reports of what is going on there. A network of reporters throughout the West Bank and Gaza has provided the unique coverage.

Israel has ordered the service closed for six months, accusing it of being connected with an organization affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization. The accusation has been denied. Whether true or not, it is irrelevant. Virtually every Arab in the occupied territories has a commitment to the PLO. The Palestine Press Service has made no secret of its bias to the cause of Palestinians. But there is no evidence that it has been a source of subversion or illegal activities.

Israel already has in place the censorship of all press reporting affecting national security. That system--as a leading Israeli newspaper, Maariv, has pointed out--provides adequate protection for the Israeli government without these other extreme measures.

Efforts by the military to impose a news blackout during the three-day state of emergency that ended Thursday night harmed not only Israel’s image as a defender of freedom but also confidence in Israel’s handling of the occupation. Furthermore, it eroded the democratic institutions of Israel, for democracy depends on the sustenance of an informed electorate.