British student paper pulled over Palestinian journalist’s quote

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(JTA) — The student newspaper at a British university was removed from campus distribution after publishing a comment by a Palestinian journalist interpreted as derogatory toward Jews.

Sameh Habeeb, the owner of the Palestinian Telegraph newspaper, told a reporter for the Leeds Student at Leeds University that he believes mainstream media organizations "have a hidden agenda."

"They are certainly pro-Israeli," Habeeb said. "I think you have to ask yourself who controls the media.”

The April 30 issue was removed from distribution by order of the Students’ Union. One of the officers, Jak Codd, is Jewish, according to the Jewish Chronicle.

A Facebook group protesting the decision has more than 700 members.

"(I)t appears clear that Codd does not agree with a free press,"  The Palestine Telegraph said in an editorial. "The comments were stated within a feature and as a clearly attributed interview, but Codd seems to be under the impression that students cannot interpret viewpoints and judge them for themselves."
 

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