IDF closes Hebron radio station for encouraging terror and acts of violence

 

IDF statement after soldiers confiscated equipment, including computers & transmitters, “The El-Halil radio station has repeatedly broadcast content which promotes & encourages terror and acts of violence against Israeli civilians & security forces.”

By Lilach Shoval, Israel Hayom Staff & News Agencies

 

The Israel Defense Forces, Shin Bet security agency and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) shut down on Saturday night a radio station in Hebron which the IDF said was broadcasting content that incited Palestinian listeners to attack Israelis.

An employee of the El-Halil radio station after it was shut down Saturday night – Photo: AFP

Employees at El-Halil radio station said IDF soldiers confiscated their equipment, including computers and transmitters, forcing the radio station off the air.

The IDF said in a written statement, “Overnight, in a joint operation of the IDF with the [Shin Bet] and [COGAT], forces confiscated broadcasting equipment of the El-Halil radio station in Hebron. The El-Halil radio station has repeatedly broadcast content which promotes and encourages terror and acts of violence against Israeli civilians and security forces.”

According to COGAT, the station broadcasts lies about Palestinians being executed and abducted by Israeli security forces. The station also congratulates families of “shahids” (martyrs), glorifies terrorists who have carried out stabbings and car ramming attacks and continually calls on Palestinians to carry out revenge attacks against Israelis.

Many of the terrorists who have perpetrated attacks since the beginning of October have hailed from Hebron and its environs. Hebron terrorists have carried out attacks in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Kiryat Gat, Beit Shemesh and other places. Following Thursday’s terrible attack that left three Israeli civilians dead near Alon Shvut in Judea, the IDF reinforced its units over the weekend in the Hebron sector.

Radio station head Amjad Shawar told Reuters Television that a large number of Israeli troops surrounded the station and demanded entry to the building.

“I saw on the security cameras that [Israeli] soldiers are coming to our door and they were surrounding the area in big numbers. They knocked and asked us to open the door, so I opened it. They ordered me to shut down the radio, I asked them: Why should I do that? A soldier ordered me to shut down the radio because they have an order to shut down the station,” said Shawar.

View original Ynet publication at:
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=29853