Arab NBC journalist arrested in Israel for inciting terror, praising Hamas massacre

A female journalist who was employed by the American network NBC News was arrested by the Israeli police last Thursday for inciting terrorism and identifying with a terror organization, Israeli media reported.

The journalist was identified as 45-year-old Marwat al-Azza, a resident of East Jerusalem.

Her arrest followed several social media posts she wrote in connection with the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, in which she made fun of an elderly Israeli woman who was kidnapped into Gaza by Hamas terrorists.

“It’s killing me, it’s a black comedy, the old woman looks happy, a bit of action before she dies,” al-Azza wrote.

In another post, the former NBC news journalist wrote: “Sirens all the time, the Jews are hiding and the Arabs are out drinking coffee on their balconies.”

“The investigation of Ms. Azza is unrelated to NBC News," the network said in a statement.

"It is based on her personal Facebook posts that predate her time with us as a freelancer. We were not aware of those posts before we engaged Ms. Azza four weeks ago. She will not be contributing to our coverage going forward,” NBC added.

When the police arrived to arrest her, al-Azza was already prepared, having written important numbers on her leg and without a mobile phone, according to The Jerusalem Post.

“These are very serious offenses during a time of declared war while the reporter lives and makes a living in the same country that is under attack," an Israel Police representative said.

Her lawyer defended al-Azza, saying that she cooperated fully with the investigation.

"There is her statement – that is why I believe that the investigation has exhausted itself. I ask that she be released under whatever conditions the court deems appropriate. She is from a very respectable family,” the lawyer said.

The court ruled her detention to be extended for four more days at the end of the hearing.

It wasn't clear if al-Azza possesses Israeli citizenship, as many residents of East Jerusalem only have Israeli IDs but carry Jordanian travel documents.

Following the arrests of several Israeli Arab citizens for praising the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel unveiled a proposal to strip Israeli citizenship from convicted terror supporters during wartime.

The proposal has not been legislated as of yet.