Israeli Court Indicts Journalist Saeed Hassanein Over Remarks on Palestinian and Israeli Prisoner Treatment
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israel’s Central Court in occupied Haifa indicted journalist Saeed Hassanein on Wednesday. The charges include “contact with a foreign agent,” “expressing solidarity with a terrorist organization,” and “destroying evidence.” The indictment follows his arrest on February 26 after a TV interview.
According to the indictment, Hassanein, 62, participated in an interview on Al-Aqsa TV, which Israeli authorities classify as a terrorist organization. Prosecutors claim this constitutes contact with a foreign agent. They also allege that he praised Hamas, justified its actions, and spread its narrative to Palestinians within the 1948-occupied territories. He reportedly stated that Hamas treated Israeli prisoners humanely, in contrast to Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees. The charges also reference his criticism of Palestinians in Israel who join the Israeli military, which faces war crimes accusations.
Israeli prosecutors further cited another interview on Qudsna TV, where Hassanein allegedly praised Hezbollah and its late leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli airstrikes killed Nasrallah in Beirut on September 27.
Hassanein is also accused of destroying evidence by allegedly breaking the phone used for his Al-Aqsa interview.
The Israeli prosecution requested his detention until the trial ends, claiming that his actions pose a direct threat to national security. The prosecution claimed that his words could harm Israel’s ‘social fabric’ and serve terrorist organizations.
Following the interview, Israeli media launched a smear campaign against Hassanein. Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar demanded his immediate dismissal as an announcer for Sakhnin Football Club. The club stated that it held a hearing with Hassanein, who claimed his words were taken out of context. However, it ultimately terminated his role as an announcer.
Meanwhile, the Arab Center for Media Freedoms and Research (I’lam) condemned Hassanein’s arrest. The Nazareth-based organization called it an escalation against journalists, particularly Palestinian reporters. It reported 96 violations against Palestinian journalists since October 7, 2023, including arrests, equipment confiscations, and restrictions on coverage.
