Israel Arrests Al-Jazeera Journalist

By JTA August 16, 2011

Israel is holding in custody the Kabul bureau chief for the Arabic language Al Jazeera network on accusations that he is affiliated with the terrorist Hamas group.

Samir Allawi reportedly was arrested last week while crossing from the West Bank to Jordan on his way back to Afghanistan. He had spent three weeks visiting his family in a West Bank town near Nablus

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists in a statement issued Monday called on Israel to clarify why it is holding Allawi.

Israel authorities say they are holding Allawi on a “security-related arrest.” On Tuesday, Israel extended Allawi’s remand for seven days. The journalist reportedly testified Monday in front of a West Bank military court.

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