[000:00:00;00] the . ready hello, i'm elizabeth put on them and don't have the top stories on the algebra. as well as again targeting heavily populated refugee camps and residential areas across gaza. at least 24 people have been killed since saturday morning. the ami talkative shelter and jamalia in the early hours can at least 8 people displace palestinians have been living in the classroom. some tense on the school grounds. on the south shelf was at the scene in jabante a and sent this report of the idea i need, like i said, his mother is a violent is really raid targeted the honey. my of study of school in the devali announcement area, the several dead and

a number of injured. now medical teams are rescuing several injured and retrieving the data. as a result of the violence is really raid the target at the school, which houses thousands of displaced people in this area. the frequency of nighttime attacks by is rarely occupation forces and is ready. we'll place has significantly increased the. we also see here the teams dealing with one of the palestinians injured in the is really right on the school to show the whole thing done as we see here the state of horror and fear among the displaced within the school, among the women and children of to the direct targeting of the school, the said that we were sitting when we saw struck, we all civilians and we don't know where to go. where are we supposed to go to share? i don't, i'm a gun and was that you can see here the place targeted by is when the occupation planes. it's one of the tents of the displaced inside lima, outside the a school with thousands of displaced people. with sheltering here,

the civil defense and medical crews are still conducting such as after a 5 bro counts. as a result started the showing the we recovered the bodies and some of the wounded. there was blood everywhere because of the explosion was so powerful. we had to collect the remains from different areas and schools. now far as this is the optimum of the rocket, 2 of them 5 at this tent in the middle of the school ground, is really strikes a continuous and have increased significantly at night shelters. gatherings of citizens and inhabited homes and keep getting the target. and especially if i didn't get the vehicle value and the bar as to the news and at least 70 school students are accounted for in kenya, off the font at a boarding school, killed 18 young boys. the incident happened in the county of near the north of my road. the police,

a most of the victims were around 9 years old. so the typhoon yankee has made land full in vietnam, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds authorities, and grounded flights and wooded evacuations from areas some of the storms pop. train service is also affected the time soonest, the strongest hit vietnam in decades. at least one death has been confirmed. a woman was killed when a tree fell on him and the capital of henry, early of the typhoon killed at least 2 people, an engine 92 in china's high non province. the storm brought winds of up to 234 kilometers and now well, the 400000 people have been forced to leave their homes. their motion is underway and on julia's presidential election. 2 candidates, a challenging president of the mug, boone was running for a 2nd to so many voices. boy, cost with the election in 2019 turn out will be important. the main suspects in a school shooting in the us state of georgia has appeared in court 14 year old called grace, facing full council,

1st degree murder to students. and 2 teachers for shelton killed at the school in atlanta on wednesday. of the suspects father has appeared, in course he faces charges of 2nd degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children. of all, as you say, he knowingly allowed his son to own a weapon bow install. i'm a spacecraft has landed back on to the officer leaving the international space station, but with no one on board, it's coming back mt off to suffering technical problems. the to astronaut said the transporter to the international space station in june. we'll have to wait until february to over to i was, i was of the headlines on al jazeera, the do stay with us. the bottom line is coming up next. thank you for watching

the hi. i'm steve clements and i have a question when it comes to pro palestinian activism or the rights to free speech, free font and free assembly under attack. let's get to the bottom line. the for almost a year pro palestine active as have been raising their voice. the demand a ceasefire to the warrant, gaza calling for sanctions against israel and freedom for the palestinians. also since then, demonstrations have been met with force and protesters have been prosecuted. students have been suspended from the universities and folks have been fired by their employers for speaking up. so we witnessing a crackdown on free speech and assembly this not just affecting students and not just happening in the united states. is this creating a chilling effect on free debate on palestine in israel, and is the war on gaza, sparking a further erosion of civil rights in many western countries. today we're talking with richard mad hurst, a british journalist,

who was detained last month under the u. k. terrorism, mac, and de mont haley, the founder and director at palestine legal which works to defend americans experiencing reprisals for advocating for palestine and has published several reports on the issue including the palestine exceptions to free speech. thank you both for joining me today. this is a topic i care deeply about. i hate censorship. i. i see it everywhere right now, richard, i'm often going in and out of london. he for a week airport. i'm off in uh, commenting on these issues. but you went through an incredible experience. tell us about it. thanks for having me on stevens. yeah, it's incredible is certainly one way of putting it. they, you know, certainly detain me, but arrested me. and i'm the 1st journalist in britain to have to be arrested under section 12 of the terrorism act. and it's uh, specifically section $121.00

a. so if you read the, the legislation is extremely broad. lead defined, very abstract costs are very wide net. so you know that this, these are the dangers that many of us a wound about a years ago, whether is schedule 7, where, where, you know you're detained for questioning and you have to answer every question was section 12, and i think they're trying to make an example out of me and it fell very very um you know, over the top, i mean they sent 6 police officers and, and ham coffee and a took all of my equipment. i'm not just talking about my phones, which is bad enough. they, they took all of my journalistic tools, you know, my microphones wired and wireless headphones just, you know, it felt so unnecessary and they kept me custody for almost 24 hours in frankly, abysmal conditions. i mean, it was more like a dungeon than a cell annual being recorded the whole time. so you know, you're in free will leave pressuring power of the states. you feel how over the top it is. c and it's designed to be intimidating and you really a thing,

and i think that the people who did this arrest, they certainly would hope that this would discourage others from speaking about palestine. because ultimately that is what i was arrested for. it was for my reporting and, and nothing more. and they're trying to make a basic journalism out to be yeah, something a sinister and very, very sinister. you know, this is a full full of intents and purposes. a get into a political persecution. and i covered julianna's on this case and i, i know how these things work and this isn't in a different direction, but it bears some resemblance in, in some manner. well, let's take it, you know, a further said, i don't see. and i, i loved to know from you, did they, underlying a sentence that you said that they underline a paper or a news article or a video that you produced and said you have. so cross the line with what is legally acceptable. and we're, we're classifying as terrorism. did that ever happen?

well, i was, i was questioned by 2 detectives. and uh, i mean, i'm not at liberty, legally speaking to go into what they are specifically. but um, uh it is about my reporting. so you know, it's basically things to do with palestine and again, they, the problem with this is that they have a sort of put me in limbo now because i was released on conditionally on, on bail and some, some lawyers, it's their opinion that this was done on purpose, because now i don't know what i can and cannot say. and i believe that, like i said, because on the 1st year on this to be arrested under section 12 that they're trying out test case. they're trying to see how much they can get away with. and the same week they went off to activists as well, you know, tell us on action and sarah wilkinson, so that it's definitely a crack down you, you, you can certainly describe it as such. and um, you know, i think it's, it's just perfect that you would do this to any one, but especially in a democracy where you're supposed to have the right to report freely as

a journalist i, i feel like my right to exercise my journalistic freedoms that they've been taken away completely, i, i don't know what i can and cannot say, and i feel like there's a target on my back. so yeah. deem i'd love to ask you to give us a snapshot of what's happening more broadly on, particularly in america. and i want to ask you, what is the state of the constitutional protection or freedom of speech in the united states when it comes to those that have been commenting and concern and active as about palestine and the gaza crisis right now? yeah, we are in a dire period, there is no doubt about it to and it's not new. i think that's really important to remember. we've been a policy on legal documenting for a year as a, a, an attack on people who speak out for posting in rights. we called it a palestine exception to free speech. where in the us we have very strong

constitutional protections for free expression. there seems to be this exception when it comes to palestine, and that's for a number of reasons. it is one of the issues that people in this country can't dissent on because there is such a complete by part by partisan consensus that we're starting to see cracks in. but there's still a bi partisan consensus for unconditional support for israel. i think it's also important to contextualize what's happening to the movement proposed in rives, in a broader uh, in, in a broader context of, of what periods were in generally there is a far right research ends across the country and across the globe. and the result of that is a, a serious crack down on constitutional in human rights ever or so in this country,

it's not just attacking descent on palestine. we also are seeing a massive effort to crack down on the move meant for black lives on indigenous and fire mental justice movements. there is legislation being passed across the board. that is undermining constitutional protections for free speech and assembly and association. we're seeing a activists being targeted with criminal prosecutions, with lawsuits by corporations or israel lobby groups, and that that is attacking them for their, their advocacy in their organizing on a grass roots level. and as i said, politic, elected officials are at the forefront of introducing legislation in the context of the palestine movement that is fundamentally anti posting. and there's no doubt

that we're seeing it at echoing israel's own genocidal language and type posting and language and rhetoric and actions. we're seeing our own elected officials mirroring that kind of dehumanizing rhetoric and also introducing legislation that, for example, costs for the partition of all palestinians. and you know, similar to richards experience, we are also seeing the weather, the nice ation of not only anti terrorism laws, but also accurate the issuance of, of anti semitism that are targeting advocacy for palestinian rights that are claiming that anti zionism, you know, criticism of zionism, the political ideology of the state of israel are equivalent to anti semitism, so there is a wide spread crack the down the we're seeing that isn't new. that has been the

combination of years and even decades of oppression of the post on right. man, as well as other right, you know, n y u i should note, has just made zine is in a protective class at their university, which is very interesting is off nice. protecting class of gender, or sexual identity or ethnic identity is a very different dimension of a protected class. would love to get your thoughts but more deeply. you know, as you just said, the accusations are costs of people is anti semites who are engaged in what i would call absolutely protected speech and absolutely protective protests and, and labeling them racist. do you see models out there dema of institutions that are getting it right for the most part. and unfortunately, i think there are very few that are getting it right. and institutions like columbia are setting the standard for universities, calling the police to brutalize and arrest their own students and professors and

others. and also a, you know, instituting for coney and sanctions on students expect owing, says, pending. um, you know, buying them from their own housing and, and food services. so that has really set the standard in a lot of ways for the ways universities are responding. we are seeing some university saying, you know, we're not going to compliment on anything. we're not taking any kinds of stands whatsoever. and, and that's the other side of the claim. but we have seen a couple of examples of universities actually responding to students demand um to, to stop using their to wish $10.00 to invest in the military. industrial complex to invest in this genocide against the palestinian people and work and militarism. and unfortunately, they're only been a couple of universities that have taken these positions where they are actually

responding to their students and engaging what they are asking for. and in other situations, again, university is have have followed the lead and follow the, the demands of pro israel groups and of elected officials to really crack down on on protesters. unfortunately. thank you, richard. i'm going to ask you about the general ecosystem of news out there when it comes to this israel palestine conflict, which has now been going on far, far longer than most predicted. and i have to be honest that it rises and falls in the media. and it usually rises when, you know, in reaction to a shock. i remember before jose andres world central kitchen staff work build. um, you know, the israel palestine had large, we fallen off the map of, of, of front us pages. you know, this show has been focused on this really throughout the crisis. what are your observations, as you talk the media and journalist around there, are you finding editors trying to squelch this story? what, you know?

and, and i just basically said, you think as media in journalists, we are as dedicated to this story as we should be. i think, i think, i think for the most part, uh, most journalists and outlets are, uh, they sort of cough covering the issue. um, what do i mean by that when they cover it? um if they do, they of course told the usual uh, you know, is riley line and um, the other half just simply don't, don't coverage at all. i mean uh, for example, if you go through um, you know, uh, public transport in germany or austria, whatever they have is like tv screens up there. uh, and sometimes you literally do not see pallets by mention whatsoever. so its not even that they're showing it and then giving you, you know, these railing perspective on what is happening is not mentioned, which, which really shocked me because it's the biggest new story in the world. i mean, how can you just not talk about it? and act like it's not happening. so i think i think most outlets are,

are not doing the due diligence and, and they're sharpening their responsibilities. they've advocated that jesus john this. i mean, we can take the example of the hostages. for example, the v 6 is rarely hostages. that were found dead a few days ago. you know, the bridge media, us media, they put up their photo garage, they put up their names and everything, and they do the same all across europe in french and in german. and then when it comes to the palestinian victims, there's nowhere near the same level of human eyes ation. so, you know, again, it's like they'll, they'll, they'll talk about victims only when there was riley or when they happened to be western victims arrayed walkers, but the palestinians receive nowhere near the same kind of human eyes ation. and it is really, really shocking. and the gang right, for example, it states a mind was covered better by is really media, then the media in britain or in the united states, which, which shocked me. because you would think that far media would perhaps, uh, you know, whole the, the soldiers more to account, but they are honestly and they're not being is really media. so we are living

through very, very strange times, but uh, on the whole, um, you know, most journalists and outlets are certainly abdicating their duties to inform the public, the team. and i, you know, i want to talk to, because i don't want to get into, you know, question, what's more like equivalent or encore, what the people are really paying with their jobs. they're paying with their reputations, you know, etc. if they're standing up for something that they care about in, in the united states, this is allegedly a protected act by the united states constitution. do you see the a, c o u or do you see any of the institutions that typically stand up for those? trying to stand in front of the tank and say, look, i see things differently and these are my rights. are there any movements now from a legal perspective within you, us courts beginning to turn some of this around, for those victims of the bandwagon and what you call your, your institute is called the mccarthy. i spread of you know,

refreshing against those that have been concerned about palestine a yeah, thanks for that question i, i think what we are seeing here in right now is not just this precedent of crap down, but really since october 7th and before october 7th, just any norm is a way of a solidarity it when palestinians and you know, not only the unprecedented marching, it is in the streets around the world. but certainly, you know, when we see our governments to bring nothing in response to a majority of people wanting a ceasefire, wanting an end to us arms to israel. um, you know, as new and creative next to a really big, strong business as usual right now as well. that not only started on president

cracked and but unprecedented solidarity mobilizations to end this genocide and to for freedom for palestinians. and that includes the legal community. so since october's the we've had a really a tsunami of had of people and we've tried of lawyers and calling us up to, to volunteer their time. so that includes the organizations across the country that work on civil rights and civil liberties issues. and we are challenging these kinds of excesses, this repression in courts in government agencies. but the reality is that palestinians in palestine are not safe, they are under constant attack. they are being killed and starved and dying from, from disease as we speak. and people here understand the moral obligation to stand up, even if it means risking, you know,

our careers are reputations of being slapped with frivolous lawsuits, etc. and, and i think that's really critical here. and what we have to understand is that there is safety in numbers and as long as we stand up and fight back and challenge these efforts to undermine constitutional rights. and again, that's discriminatory enforcement of regulations that universities against discriminatory unemployment decisions. we, we are going to, we're going up ultimately prevail, as with all movements. as was all movements. i think we did, it takes time, right? we, we've didn't see a court victories against segregation for years and years. we didn't see the upholding of 1st amendment rights against mccarthy as purchase for, for years after that. so a, the wheels of justice turned slowly. right. but ultimately, i think you will see and history will prove us correct here. thank you,

richard. is it your sense that this situation in europe and in democratic societies as is possibly going to tell in a better direction or are you worried about the repression and censorship becoming far worse? it is definitely getting worse. um and i know i know people like to throw around the f for it, a lot of and i mean fascism in this in this case. but i do not. i don't say this lightly. what when i say that we are witnessing fascism or the materialization of fascism. and again, it's not just about me, it's also about the others that were targeted with, with section 12 and within the same week or i'll be an activist. but nevertheless, i targeted and really harsh ways and more of i'd also point to for example the case of mary co stockett is in australia who is facing um you know, a charge of, of

a legit anti semitism for you know, for, for things that don't even contain opinion in them, right for tweeting will re tweaking things that literally have no opinion and then whatsoever they just it journalism. and then it was basic form quotes that trying to criminalize the most basic function of a journalist, which is to critique the governments. to report news to galvin, used to collect information and, and also to combat any form of potent activism. be people who go on march is people who are working, you know, help people in gaza with cavity work or who uh, perhaps engage in more direct action. so at least for britain, i can a 100 percent confirm it is unfortunately getting worse and we're seeing the erosion, the destruction of, of our civil liberties of rights that we've taken for granted for, for decades, adult centuries. and again, this is, this is no way for any country to be hate, it really isn't. i know that labor government have said they will withdrawal 30 out

of $350.00 a ons expos licenses for, for example, labels. so withdrawing the challenge to the archdiocese jurisdiction in palestine. but these are, you know, these are empty gestures at the end of the day they've, they've actually gone and single about people that these riley's find problematic. now i don't know if they've done it with these writing these or on their behalf. but they have single that people who have large platforms and who are doing effective work and they're trying to make examples out of us and that is not healthy in any society. especially not one that calls itself democratic gmail. uh, thank you very much for that team. i'm gonna ask you just so you know, quick closing, just a quick comment. so i'm just this in the sort of state of law today. you know, when you have the world court that sold israel, that the occupation of gaza and east jerusalem and, you know, etc is, is illegal. and you kind of look at this over, you know, long term ignoring of norms, rules, laws that are, that are out there that are in clear. uh, you've got clear violations, i guess,

coming back to what richard just said. what should those victims, students, employees, journalists that are out there engaged in this fight who find themselves all of a sudden discriminate? where do they, what do they do? what do they outreach or yeah, i mean as i said i, i think it's critical that we continue to challenge all of the repression that is happening and to connect it to broader efforts. as richard said, the of this a resurgence of fascism. this is not just going to impact palestinians and allies and people who speak out for post and in rights. it's going to impact journalists like richard. it's going to impact of people who are dissenting on other issues. ultimately, if we leave it to the state and to the powers that represent the status quote,

to dictate what is okay to say what is okay to report what is okay to teach in our classrooms. so the stakes are really high and it requires the mobilization of every uh, every profession. right? uh, not just lawyers uh, challenging this in court because the courts won't save us either. but, but uh, but you know, it, it, at universities, unions are critical in workplaces. you know, getting, getting the support of your colleagues and getting your hands set back you and support you. they played a critical role and pushing back for you. we do have safety and numbers and we have to challenge every aspect of this repression. well listen, i want to thank you both deem a highly the founder and director of palestine legal and independent journalist richard met hers, amazing story that you shared with us. thank you so much for being with us today. thank you. so what's the bottom line in the us talking about anything sensitive where there are winners and there are losers and where there is bias. and there is

misunderstanding, has become complicated and we're personally dangerous for people trying to break through the orthodoxy or conventional framing of many crucial topics. one of those crucial topics is definitely anything related to palestine. and the same problem applies to the way we talk about race in america, especially after the murder of george floyd. now we are seeing those trying to raise their voice and support a palestinian rights and just as slandered as races themselves. guess what? there is no fixed of this is been happening this way from the dawn of american history. people have been cancelled for centuries, but somehow, over time, we actually get to a better place. it's only a matter of time. the only question is, when will the us get to a better place on palestine and palestinian rights? because there is just no system big enough to silence all the voices who care. and that's the bottom line.

the being a journalist is that prisoner. i get to the heart of the story amplified the voices of those who have been drowned out by the noises of war is my driving force is what pushes me to take risks. we're just going to try to pick up is a safer position. reading the trying to find the words each truly. it's a challenge and a huge responsibility issues and decision makers in check. so the devastating human saw stuff their decisions. the reason the soldiers base themselves in this house is because it's as the edges of the janine refugee cab. and from here they have,

it's the view of working at the 0 enables me to make that positive voice is relevant to so that this mode that unites us, that divides us the hello. i'm elizabeth put on him and joe hall with the top stories on algebra. 0 is where it is. again targeting heavily populated refugee camps and residential areas across garza, at least 24 people have been killed since saturday morning. the army targeted a shelter in giovanni and early all is getting at least 8 people displays. palestinians have been living in the classroom. some tents on the school grounds at least 70 school students are accounted for in kenya. off to fall at