ei: Journalists Call on Israel to Explain Shooting of Al Jazeera in Palestine

EI image 2006

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the Israeli Defence Forces to explain a shooting incident in Nablus, in which a news crew of TV satellite channel Al Jazeera was fired upon and a technician injured.

"First reports suggest that here was an unarmed media crew suddenly subject to an unprovoked attack by Israeli soldiers," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "If true, it is an astonishing and terrifying example of targeting and the Israeli authorities must give an explanation as to how this happened."

According to Al Jazeera, correspondent Jivara Al Budeiri was in the process of filming a live report when the team was interrupted by a fast-approaching Israeli military vehicle. What follows next is confusing but there was firing and technician Wael Tantous was slightly injured. He was treated at a hospital and later released.

"Israel needs to make an immediate and clear account of this incident," White said. "It appears that a news crew trying to carry out its normal work has been subjected to unacceptable intimidation and it adds to our concerns about the safety and security of journalists working in the region at the present time."

Media casualties have been mounting in the region, with a number of journalists injured in the crossfire in Lebanon and northern Israel and controversy over Israel's attack on the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Manar, which is a supporter of Hezbollah.

The IFJ has sent a letter to the Israeli Defence Forces Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Dan Halutz, and to Minister of Defence Amir Peretz calling for an explanation of what happened in this incident and for action to be taken against any soldier who has acted inappropriately.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.

Related Links

International Federation of Journalists

Israeli army fires on Al-Jazeera crew in West Bank, RSF (19 July 2006)