Inside Israel's legal case against Palestinian journalist Saeed Hasanein
A relentless incitement campaign spearheaded by far-right Israeli media has thrust Palestinian journalist Saeed Hasanein into a legal battle with the state of Israel, with the 62-year-old facing charges after giving an interview to a Gaza-based television channel.
Israel's state attorney on Wednesday filed an indictment against Hasanein after he was interviewed by Al-Aqsa TV, a channel owned by Hamas.
The indictment charges him with incitement, stating that the mere act of giving the interview to this channel constitutes "contact with a foreign agent" - referring to the person who conducted the interview.
Hasanein, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, was arrested on 25 February following his appearance on Al-Aqsa TV, and he has been in detention since then.
Before his arrest and as a result of the incitement campaign led by Channel 14, Hasanein was dismissed from his roles as an editor and sports anchor at Al-Nas Radio Station in Nazareth, as well as from his position as an announcer for the Israeli football club Bnei Sakhnin.
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'Contact with a foreign agent'
In his interview with Al-Aqsa TV, Hasanein said: "The Islamic resistance has acted with complete humanity in accordance with Islamic law and proved to the world that Hamas preserves human dignity and respects the women who were captured on 7 October. Hamas protected them in accordance with religious teachings, Islamic law and the Palestinian conscience."
Hasanein also addressed Palestinian citizens of Israel who enlist in the Israeli army, saying: "The time has come for anyone who is thinking of joining the army of occupation to think a million times about where they are going and how they are selling their conscience, morals and religion in this immoral, irreligious and non-national path."
The indictment also notes Al-Aqsa TV has been designated an "impermissible association" for over a decade, as it is part of Hamas. Moreover, the channel has been considered a "terrorist organisation" in Israel for more than five years.
The prosecution claims that Hasanein's contact with the channel - specifically, coordinating the interview and receiving the Zoom link to participate - forms the basis of the charge of "contact with a foreign agent".
Additionally, the indictment claims that Hasanein's statements during the interview expressed support for Hamas, leading to accusations of identifying with a terrorist organisation.
A separate charge was also filed against the journalist for praising the Lebanese movement Hezbollah and its late leader Hassan Nasrallah during a September interview with the Palestinian website Qudsuna.
Multiple charges
Speaking to Middle East Eye, Hasanein's lawyer Alaa Mahajna said that the most significant of the multiple charges brought against the journalist is "contact with a foreign agent".
"During previous trials, when we questioned the police, they clarified that the 'foreign agent' referred to the broadcaster who interviewed Hasanein. The indictment also includes charges of concealing evidence, identifying with a terrorist organisation, and making such information public," Mahajna said.
"I met with Saeed last week, explained the procedures to him, and heard from him about the circumstances of his detention. Even during today's session, he told the judge that he has not received the medication he usually takes since his arrest."
The lawyer said Hasanein has been suffering from pain and pressure in his chest. The legal team has asked the judge to order the prison administration to provide him with his medication.
Regarding the incitement campaign against Hasanein, Mahajna said: "As I mentioned before, Saeed's case has been accompanied by a strong and fierce incitement campaign by the Israeli media and various components of Israeli society. Therefore, we expect that his treatment during detention has been harsh."
Since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October, Israeli authorities have cracked down on Palestinians across the West Bank and within Israel.
Over 10,400 people have been arrested in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem alone during that time. In August, Israeli rights organisation B'Tselem said in a report that Israeli authorities are systematically abusing Palestinians in torture camps, subjecting them to severe forms of violence and sexual assault.
According to Mahajna, Hasanein is being "treated as a security threat and detained alongside those accused of security violations" in a specially designated "security section" in the prison.
"Of course, the conditions of all Palestinian detainees are difficult," Mahajna added. "And detention conditions have worsened since 7 October, with prisoners subject to abuse and denied their basic rights."
At least 63 Palestinians, including a 17-year-old boy who died of starvation in March, have lost their lives in Israeli prisons since October 2023.
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