IDF troops confiscate a radio station’s equipment (illustrative). Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

JNS.org – The Israel Defense Forces raided the offices of a Palestinian radio station in Ramallah early Saturday, citing incitement to terrorism. The soldiers seized documents, equipment and media material in the raid.

While the IDF did not name the radio station, Palestinian media reported that it took place at the PalMedia building, which houses several media outlets, including Al Quds News, Russia Today, and the local offices of Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen and Al Manar networks, which are affiliated with Hezbollah.

Some reports said the raid targeted Al Quds‘ offices.

Palestinian media reported that 10 Israeli military vehicles had surrounded the building during the raid, which was widely condemned as an infringement on freedom of the press.

Chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat called the raid “an attempt to silence the Palestinian voice” and condemned it as “collective punishment.”

Erekat urged the international community to denounce the move and called on global journalists’ organizations to show solidarity with Palestinian journalists.

The Palestinian Journalists Association called the raid a “crime” and urged an international investigation into its motives.