Palestinian Journalists Angry Over Arrests

The Palestinian Authority has been accused of trying to silence freedom of speech after the arrest of two journalists who posted comments criticising the Palestinian leadership on Facebook.

Tarek Khamis, who works for a West Bank news agency, was detained by Palestinian security forces in Ramallah after he used the social networking site to condemn the arrest of another local journalist and blogger.

Esmat Abdel Khalik is being held in solitary confinement after she accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of being a "traitor" on her Facebook page.

A spokesman for the Palestinian Authority said Ms Abdel Khalik was being held for "extending her tongue" against the elected Palestinian leadership.

In a sign of a deliberate crackdown against local reporters, a third Palestinian journalist was arrested last week after writing an article alleging corruption in the Palestinian diplomatic mission in France.

Youssef al Sahyeb has been charged with slander and defamation after a complaint lodged by the Palestinian foreign minister Riad Malki. The reporter was released on \$7000 (£4,400) bail after protests by fellow journalists in the West Bank.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights has accused the Palestinian Authority of "assaulting the freedom of expression in the Palestinian territories".

"Journalists are entitled to express their opinions without fear of being imprisoned and harassed," the organisation said in a statement.

The Palestinian Authority has denied claims that it has set up a special unit to monitor blogs and social network postings.

Press freedom is meant to be protected under Palestinian law but the legislation allows for journalists to be prosecuted for activities which threaten "Palestinian unity or values".

The Gaza-based Hamas government has also sought to control the local media - even banning some publications.