The Case of Journalist Jeremy Loffredo Revisited. (Opinion)

 

Independent journalists across the planet are either being forcefully silenced or jailed. In the grand old UK, one can be imprisoned for posting on social media “hate speech.’  In many instances the posts are dissident voices against government and/or war. This is not “hate” speech but the right to express one’s views about the world. The case of Julian Assange is undoubtedly the best-known example of journalistic oppression. Recently, the independent journalist Jeremy Loffredo was illegally detained by the Israeli Defense Force on dubious grounds. The treatment of this journalist was appalling and sadistic. This story requires further comment.  

Loffredo is an independent investigative journalist who is a major contributor to The Grayzone. While in Israel reporting on the missile strikes from Iran, obviously targeting military installations, (unlike Israel who bombs innocent men, women, and children) while returning from the bomb sites, was stopped at Israel’s many check points, which has existed for several years, before October 7. Laffredo is an American citizen, and at the time had all the appropriate paperwork to move through the checkpoint. While other journalists were free to go, Jeremy was detained, blindfolded, and placed in shackles. He was then sent to an unknown prison facility and placed in solitary confinement.  

During his time in solitary, at one point he was taken out of his cell, and forced to stand in front of a flag, ordered to smile and not smile, and verbally harassed while pictures were taken. “Do you love Israel?” “Why do you want to hurt Israel?” (This is terrorist behavior.) The young man was not given food or water for days. He remained in solitary for three and a half days. He went to court and the judge was dumbfounded because other journalists’ including one from a major Israeli newspaper had reported exactly what Loffredo had reported. He was sent back to jail for further interrogation.  

As an added note, a man next to Jeremy’s cell was being brutally tortured, the screams ringing throughout the compound.  

To get more specific details of Loffredo’s experience while incarcerated, go to The Grayzone website.  

Jeremy is an American citizen and journalist. The IDF and the Israeli government regime treated him as if he were a terrorist. My problem is the official State Department response...which was nothing except “American journalist freed and back on US soil.” (paraphrased) 

Israel could not be committing a full-blown genocide without American money and weapons. The US is committing genocide by proxy. The real question is who is really in charge here? From my standpoint, it is certainly not the United States. 

 The Israeli regime applies censorship with violence.  

Since October 7, 2023, over 100 journalists have been murdered by these thugs. If one asks why this is so, the answer is obvious. Israel does not want their heinous crimes reported throughout the world. Well, too late. 

Jeremy Loffredo’s treatment was wrong, sadistic, and criminal, and not a peep from American officials.  He should be commended for his bravery and commitment to real journalism.