Wakeup Palestine – Protests, Free Speech and Oslo
A Palestinian-American comedian gives his take on current events
Jerusalem24 – Wake Up Palestine – Yesterday witnessed another round of protests in Ramallah and Bethlehem as well. The protests in Ramallah were met with pro-government counter protesters, and then violence. It’s disturbing to see this in the streets of Ramallah, but unfortunately it’s not the first time. Back in 2018, there was a protest against the Palestinian Authorities’ sanctions on the Gaza Strip that was met with violence by PA forces. In 2013, there was a protest against the visit of former Israeli Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, which was also met by violence. I am sure there are several others have been missed. Last night, a video was released Nizar Banat’s arrest. The video was leaked by the Palestinian Security Forces, it shows Nizar, being carried into a car by several plain-clothes officers. While the Autopsy report on his body has shown signs of physical assault and that his death was not natural, no arrests have been made as of yet. Supposedly later today, we should have some results from the Palestinian authorities’ committee that was opened. However, committees in Palestine have reputation of not being efficient. Prime Minister Mohammad Ishtaya’s government has opened an investigation committee into the events of Nabi Musa last year, then there was the committee for the vaccines. Not to mention, Ishtaya himself is also the minister of interior who is supposed to be responsible for the actions of the security forces themselves.
Speaking of, several media outlets and journalists are currently boycotting all news from the Palestinian Authorities’ government and presidency, due to recent attacks against journalists either by security forces that either didn’t protect journalists from pro-government protesters or prevented journalists from their coverage, or even physical assault like what happened to Ahmad Talat Hasan yesterday in Ramallah.
In this episode of Wake Up Palestine, Mohammad Hamayel discusses the current events with Amer Zaher. Amer, is a man of many talents. A comedian and a political activist. He wrote “Being a Palestinian Makes Me Smile” and created the documentary “We’re Not White.” The full interview is attached below.
https://soundcloud.com/24fmpalestine/amer-zahr-wakeup-palestine