George Kanawati has become a well-known name in the Bethlehem area. The popularity of the director of the city’s longest-running radio station and anchor of its popular morning show is not simply from his journalistic work. Radio Bethlehem 2000’s top journalist has been embroiled in quite a few battles with various governmental agencies, the latest of which landed him in prison and gave him a black eye.

While the Israeli restriction on Palestinian movement for journalists continues without any sign of easing, the main challenge for Palestinian journalists has become more local. Palestinian officials appear to be less tolerant to criticism and seem to be acting with impunity despite strong opposition by the Palestinian Journalists Union and human rights organizations.

Kanawati’s case has been going on for some time and the tit for tat between him and various government officials is being dealt with in the courts. But the latest episode between Kanawati and the director of the Bethlehem police appears to have taken a different route.

The troubles for the radio anchor started on Nov. 7, when he commented on the director of the Bethlehem police, Alaa Shibli, awarding various citizens and public officials with an appreciation plaque. In commenting on the occasion, Kanawati scoffed at the director without mentioning his name, comparing the appreciation act to that of shining one's shoes. The statement angered the head of police who ordered his arrest. The Bethlehem police waited three days until Kanawati, who had been spending time in Ramallah, returned home that Sunday night. Ten police officers armed with a search warrant entered his home, shoved around furniture as well as his mother and violently took him away.