British Journalist Released From Israeli Detention

British Journalist Released From Israeli Detention with Restrictions Will Appeal Decision

Judge Kobo of Tel Aviv District Court has ordered British journalist Ewa Jasiewicz be released from detention on the conditions that she not enter the Occupied Palestinian Territories nor engage in any activities or events that may involve the Israeli Army.

Secret evidence was presented to the judge by the Israeli secret service that, according to her attorney, Yael Barda, "had deemed her a terrorist." However, the credibility of the evidence provided by the secret service is in question if the judge has decided to allow the journalist to be released.

From the detention center in Ben Gurion, Ewa declared that the judges' decision was "a partial victory," and that "real victory will be won when I am is allowed to travel where ever I feel it is necessary to carry out my work as a journalist."

"I will fight the decision," stated Ewa, Thursday night before her release. "As a journalist I should have the right to go into every part of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories." She added that she believes that restricting her movement within the Occupied Territories "is an attempt to blind me, and readers of my work, to some of the realities of life under occupation for Palestinians."

Ewa considers herself an advocacy journalist whose goal is to enforce and promote human rights. "If the Israeli Army is truly acting within the boundaries of International Law then they would have no reason to restrict me." However, she added, "Israel doesn't want me to witness it's continued violation of human rights."

Ewa is expected to be released the morning of August 20. The National Union of Journalists, (NJU), in Great Britain, is backing Ewa and put out a press release condemning the Israeli Government decision to deny her entry. Ewa's case has been supported by journalist unions from Europe and Australia.

Ewa Jasiewicz, Journalist and human rights activist from Great Britain was barred from entering Israel and was detained last week at Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport by security authorities. Ewa is a freelance journalist and writer who has also worked as a human rights activist in Palestine and Iraq. She has worked with women's organizations and workers unions. Two years ago in Nablus, Ewa witnessed the killing of a young boy by the Israeli Army.

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