Israeli authorities extend detention of Palestinian sports journalist over alleged Hamas support in TV interview
LONDON: Israeli authorities on Tuesday extended the detention of Palestinian sports journalist and announcer Saeed Hasanein, who was accused of expressing support for Hamas during a televised interview in February.
Hasanein has been in custody for about a week and faces charges from Israeli police, including 'incitement,' 'supporting terrorism' and 'communicating with a foreign agent.'
The Magistrate's Court in Acre ruled to extend his detention until Sunday — the third extension in the case — after prosecutors alleged that Hasanein appeared on Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV.
'He who only thinks about joining the occupation army must think a million times where he is going and how he is selling his conscience, his moral compass and his religion on this immoral path,' Hasanein said in an interview obtained and aired by Israel's Channel 14.
During the interview, he added that the way Hamas treated female hostages in Gaza 'proves conclusively who is the barbarian and who is the humane one' in the Israel-Hamas war.
A longtime sports commentator, Hasanein was also dismissed from his role as an announcer for Bnei Sakhnin F.C., one of Israel's most successful Arab clubs.
Following the court's ruling, Hasanein's lawyer, Alaa Mahajneh, denounced the case as politically motivated, describing his client's detention as part of a broader crackdown on Palestinian activists and voices critical of the war.
'It is ultimately up to the police whether to press charges, but we are being realistic,' Mahajneh said, adding that members of Hasanein's family were also interrogated by Israeli police.
'Given the Israeli media's incitement and how the case has become a public issue, an indictment is possible. Right now, our focus is on ending the detention, as arrests should be based on legal grounds, not punishment or sending political messages to the Arab community.'
The extension of Hasanein's detention comes amid increasing restrictions on Palestinian public expression. Recently, Israeli authorities raided a bookstore in East Jerusalem, detaining two of its owners on suspicion of 'violating public order.'
The booksellers were released after five days, following mounting pressure from rights groups and international figures. They accused Israeli authorities of attempting to suppress Palestinian culture and 'creating a climate of fear' for local residents.
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