Global condemnations follow arrest of Al Mayadeen bureau chief

Al Mayadeen

15-07-2025

A wave of condemnation statements followed the unjustified and illegal arrest of Al Mayadeen's bureau chief in occupied Palestine, Nasser al-Lahham, on Monday at dawn.
Local sources reported that the arrest was accompanied by deliberate acts of vandalism, as soldiers stormed al-Lahham's residence, smashing furniture and confiscating personal mobile phones belonging to him and his family.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine published a statement, saying that "The arrest of the prominent journalist and Al Mayadeen bureau chief Nasser al-Lahham is a desperate attempt to silence the voice of truth."
The PFLP's statement emphasized that "the arrest of our colleague and what he stands for only confirms the enemy's inability to face the escalating reality of its own fragility and its military and moral exhaustion."
Ali Faisal, Deputy Chairman of the Palestinian National Council, expressed complete solidarity with Al Mayadeen's chief in the West Bank and Al Mayadeen, saying the network "reports reality as it is."
On its part, the Palestinian Resistance Committees denounced the arrest of al-Lahham, describing it as a "desperate act and a failed Zionist tactic that will never succeed in silencing the truth that Al Mayadeen represents".
The committees stated that Nasser al-Lahham's arrest and the intentional vandalism of his house reveal "Israel's" deep fear, confusion, and vengeful mentality.
In their statement, the committees called on all unions, arab, Islamic, and national organizations to condemn the crime that is arresting Lahham.
The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement published a statement that said "We strongly condemn the Zionist occupation forces' arrest of journalist Nasser al-Laham, director of Al Mayadeen TV's Palestine bureau, and the destruction of his home, actions that expose the criminal and terrorist nature of the occupation government."
"Al-Laham's arrest today reflects the systematic Zionist policy of silencing dissent, suppressing truth, and desperately attempting to undermine Al Mayadeen's role, along with all free press, in exposing the occupation's crimes," the statement said.
The PMM announced it stands in solidarity with Al Mayadeen and Journalist Nasser Lahham, emphasizing that "Israel's" targeting of the network proves that it is on the right path.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Journalists Protection Center strongly condemned the arrest of Nasser Lahham, emphasizing that "Israel's" actions expose the "vengeful mentality" that is taking over Israeli security apparatuses.
The PJPC highlighted that since October 2023, over 56 Palestinian journalists are held in Israeli prisons, with 22 of them facing administration detention without facing any charges or due process.
In a statement, the PJPC reiterated their call to the United Nations and relevant international human rights organizations to "urgently intervene to halt these violations, ensure accountability for those responsible, and end the policy of impunity for violations against Palestinian journalists."
The Democratic Palestinian Committees in Germany released a statement, saying "We condemn, in the strongest terms, the arbitrary detainment of the prominent Palestinian Journalist Nasser al-Lahham."
They added that the arrest represents part of a systematic pattern of violations targeting Palestinian journalists by "Israel", describing it as a "desperate attempt to silence independent voices."
Lebanon's Popular Congress Party published a statement of condemnation, saying that "We strongly condemn the Zionist enemy's arrest of Al Mayadeen TV's office in occupied Palestine", emphasizing that they call for his swift release.
On the other hand, Hezbollah published a statement reacting to Nasser's arrest, stating that the arrest comes "as part of the systematic Israeli agenda to bury the truth."
Hezbollah's statement emphasized their "full solidarity with our fellow, al-Lahham, Al Mayadeen, and all the journalists who strive to deliver the truth despite dangerous circumstances."
Additionally, the Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party published a statement, in which they condemned the arrest of Lahham and the ransacking of his home, adding that "this criminal detainment exposes the fear and hysteria Israeli authorities are experiencing in the face of free and committed media.
In its statement, the Popular Unity Party backed Al Mayadeen, praising its unwavering support for Palestine and oppressed communities, while emphasizing that the network showcases Gaza's resistance, global solidarity, and rejects any ties with the occupation, maintaining its independent, ethical journalism.
In response to "Israel's" action, the International Federation of Journalists severely condemned the arrest, calling on "humanitarian organizations around the world to demand the release" of Lahham.
"Once again, Al Mayadeen has demonstrated why it stands as a beacon of professional journalism, with the International Federation of Journalists recognizing the channel's latest accomplishment as yet another testament to its unwavering commitment to truth and principled reporting," the statements adds.
The IFJ denounced Lahham's detention as utterly unjustifiable, noting "Israel's" flagrant violation of press freedom and human rights standards.
In a statement, Al Mayadeen said that Israeli Shin Bet forces stormed the home of journalist al-Lahham, violently searching the property and seizing his phones while destroying the family's electronics, in what the media network characterized as another escalation in "Israel's" systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists.
قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي حطّمت أثاث منزل مدير مكتب الميادين في فلسطين المحتلة، ناصر اللحام، وذلك بعد اقتحامه واعتقاله#الميادين#فلسطين_المحتلة pic.twitter.com/PgvnRTAIo4"We are not surprised by the occupation's sadistic practices," Al Mayadeen said, "nor by its persistent hostility toward journalism, journalists, and the right to report the truth."