A journalist employed by NBC was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of inciting terrorism and identifying with a terrorist organization.
Marwat Al-Azza, a 45-year-old journalist, employed by the NBC television network and living in east Jerusalem, was arrested after four recent posts on her personal Facebook page regarding the October 7 terror attack by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, in which at least 1,200 people were murdered and 240 taken hostage.
The police claim that Al-Azza “arrived ready for arrest,” without a mobile phone, and even wrote phone numbers on her leg.
In her investigation, she admitted to what was attributed to her.
“These are very serious offenses during a time of declared war when the respondent lives and makes a living in the same country that is under attack and yet chooses to incite and glorify the horrible acts committed against civilians,” a police representative concluded at yesterday’s hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court.
Defense: she cooperated fully
“This is a normative woman, engaged in journalism, and her role is very important to everyone,” her defense attorney claimed. “She was asked in her investigation about her work. I believe that in the things attributed to her, she cooperated fully. She did not try to hide, saying ‘I had a hacker.’
“Even when she did not have a phone, which is the main tool, she said, ‘Indeed, these are my posts,’ and this eliminates a thousand disruptive actions,” her attorney said. “There is her statement—that is why I believe that the investigation has exhausted itself. I ask that she be released under whatever conditions the court deems appropriate. She is from a very respectable family.”
Despite her lawyer’s request, her detention was extended at the end of the hearing for four more days.
Last month, the police requested permission from the prosecutor’s office to interrogate the journalist, and permission was granted last week.
The journalist was arrested on Friday next to a Jerusalem district police station.
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