Gaza Press Freedom in Spotlight After Columnist Arrested

The summons and arrest of Palestinian political writer Ibrahim Abrash by the internal security apparatus of the Hamas government speaks volumes about the state of civil liberties in the Gaza Strip and the extent to which one can criticize Hamas, its policies and its alliances. While its opponents believe that Hamas is intolerant of criticism, supporters argue that Abrash had in fact caused incitement and used terms that went beyond constructive criticism.

Abrash, a political science professor at al-Azhar University – Gaza, accused Hamas’ security apparatus of abusing his rights without legal cause when it summoned him to appear for questioning after he published an article, which appeared on various websites, about the upcoming visit to Gaza by Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, whom he characterized as the “mufti of sedition,” angering Hamas.

In the May 7 article, “Gaza Affords Forgiveness to No One,” Abrash stated, “These days, we hear talk, see banners being raised and invitations issued by Hamas and its government in honor of al-Qaradawi, the Qatari sultan’s mufti of sedition who, through his pulpit, endorses America’s policies of chaotic destruction, and whose fatwas in all causes and countries have only led to strife and civil wars. It would seem that al-Qaradawi, exposed and rejected by most Arab and Muslim countries as a man deserving to be stoned to death, now wants to clean his slate and be forgiven through this visit to the Gaza Strip.”

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Abrash recounted being summoned for questioning on May 23. He spoke of being forced to wait for four hours in a closed room before he was questioned for two more hours in a manner he described as “degrading” by a duo of security agency officers who demanded that he apologize by writing another article, in which he should describe al-Qaradawi as “a holy figure.” They also demanded that he return for further questioning on Sunday, May 26.