NBC News has ended its association with a freelance reporter, Marwat Azza, after she was arrested by Israeli authorities for charges related to inciting terrorism and supporting a terrorist organization.
The reporter had been wanted for questioning over pro-Hamas Facebook posts, and her arrest came after she turned herself in.
The Jerusalem Post reported that she had praised Hamas on her Facebook page while Israeli citizens were being attacked.
“Before we recently retained Marwat Azza for services as a freelance producer, we were not aware of her personal social media activity that provided the basis for the Israeli investigation,” NBC stated.
“We understand the material under investigation is not related to any services she provided to NBC News,” they added.
The freelance journalist reportedly cooperated with the police and confirmed that she had authored the Facebook posts.
“These are very serious offenses during a time of declared war when the respondent lives and makes a living in the same country that is under attack and yet chooses to incite and glorify the horrible acts committed against civilians,” an Israeli spokesperson said.
An attorney for the reporter stated that she is engaged in journalism and cooperated fully during the investigation.
“This is a normative woman, engaged in journalism, and her role is very important to everyone,” an attorney said.
“She was asked in her investigation about her work. I believe that in the things attributed to her, she cooperated fully. She did not try to hide, saying ‘I had a hacker.’”
Despite the attorney’s request, a judge ordered her to be confined for at least four additional days following the arrest.
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