Palestine: journalists hospitalised following attacks by Israeli army
NUJ calls for an end to the systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists.
The National Union of Journalists has condemned an attack against journalists in the northern occupied West Bank.
On 19 June, journalist Hazem Nasser, cameraman for Al-Ghad TV channel was shot and injured despite wearing a clearly marked ‘press’ vest. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has denouned the army's actions and called on Israeli authorities to end its attacks on journalists.
The Israeli army stormed Jenin refugee camp on 19 June and sniper shots from the rooftop of a residential building were witnessed. Nasser, covering the military raid sought refuge from bullets and other journalists were later evacuated by the emergency services.
The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate (PJS) has condemned Israel’s systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists and expressed solidarity with those injured.
The PJS said:
“We will redouble our efforts to prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes and bring them to the International Criminal Court. Violence against journalists must not go unpunished.”
Attacks against Palestinian journalists have increased. On 8 June, Palestinian photojournalist Momen Samreen was shot in the head and seriously wounded with a rubber bullet fired by Israeli soldiers while reporting on a military raid in the city of Ramallah. Photojournalist Rabie Mounir was also injured and hospitalised. Israeli settlers assaulted journalist Khalid Taha and in a separate incident a journalist working for Al-Ghad TV channel was assaulted.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary, said:
“Israel’s attacks on Palestinian journalists are unacceptable and a clear attempt to silence media reporting on the ground. The Israeli army must immediately end the culture of impunity for those who attack journalists among its ranks.”