Urgent Call to Free Palestinian Journalist Ali al-Samoudi from Detention
Press Freedom Center Urges Release of Ali al-Samoudi
On July 15, 2025, the Press Freedom Center, part of the National Press Club, made a powerful statement demanding the immediate release of Ali al-Samoudi, a highly respected Palestinian journalist, who is currently imprisoned in Israel's Megiddo Prison. Al-Samoudi, who is 58 years old, has been subjected to military administrative detention. This type of detention allows for imprisonment without trial and has recently been extended for another six months. Alarmingly, no evidence has been presented against him, despite allegations of supporting a terrorist organization.
Al-Samoudi is well-known not just as a journalist, but for his impactful work with major networks like CNN and Al Jazeera. He has covered critical events in the West Bank and has carved out a respected space in the journalism landscape, making this detention particularly troubling for those who advocate for press freedom.
His prominent involvement in the upcoming film "Who Killed Shireen" sheds light on the circumstances surrounding the death of his fellow journalist and Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh, who was tragically killed by an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) sniper in May 2022. During the same incident, Al-Samoudi himself was shot in the back but fortunately survived. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the risks journalists face in conflict zones, and Al-Samoudi’s contribution to it further emphasizes the personal stakes involved.
The film had its first screening in Washington on July 12, drawing an audience of over 400 attendees. This event was organized by the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club and included a notable panel discussion featuring key figures such as Mehdi Hassan, the founder of Zeteo— which helped platform the film—Abderrahim Foukara, the Al-Jazeera bureau chief in Washington D.C., Dion Nissenbaum, the film's lead investigator, and Jihan Abdalla, a senior correspondent for National News. During the panel, Nissenbaum passionately advocated for Al-Samoudi’s unconditional release, underlining the urgency of the situation and the ongoing dangers that journalists encounter in the region.
Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, the situation for journalists in the area has worsened significantly. At least 20 Palestinian journalists currently face military administrative detention, while it’s estimated that about 200 journalists have lost their lives since the beginning of this escalating crisis.
The Center for Press Freedom, established in 2024 at the National Press Club, plays a vital role in defending journalists who have been unjustly imprisoned, harmed, or forced to flee their homelands. Their mission underscores the need for urgent action in situations like Al-Samoudi’s, where the right to free expression and a free press is under siege.
The pressing call for Al-Samoudi's release reflects a broader issue affecting journalists in conflict regions, highlighting the crucial need for media empowerment and protection. As the Press Freedom Center continues to raise awareness and advocate for those in peril, it remains committed to ensuring justice for journalists like Al-Samoudi.
For individuals seeking more information or ways to support this cause, the Press Freedom Center encourages reaching out to its contact Bill McCarren at 202-662-7534 or via email at [email protected] This situation deserves our immediate attention and action; the time for reform and accountability is now.