The International Federation of Journalists has accused the Israeli authorities of a vendetta against a private radio station which has been raided, shelled and prosecuted in a series of attacks, the latest at the beginning of September.

Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary, says the attack by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) against Radio Tariq al-Mahabbeh, a private station in Nablus, is part of a widespread campaign “against independent and critical voices and a continuing assault on press freedom.”

During the night of 3rd to 4th September, the Israeli army stormed into the Radio’s rebroadcast link station after breaking down the doors. The soldiers were seen carrying out all of the equipment, including a receiver, a transmitter and a modulator. Neither papers nor explanations were left behind.

Radio Tariq al-Mahabbeh was raided in the spring of 1999 when the staff were summoned to appear in front of the Israeli authorities, apparently to recuperate the confiscated material, but were instead charged with operating an illegal radio station.

In April 2002 this year, the premises were shelled with missiles and heavy artillery. Two journalists were almost killed and all the equipment completely destroyed.

“This latest attack is further evidence that Israeli authorities are engaged in a campaign against Palestinian media in a deliberate attempt to silence independent and critical voices. It illustrates the contempt that the authorities have for pluralism and press freedom,” said White.

“The Israeli Government is destroying Palestinian broadcasting facilities, both private and public, in a display of harassment and intimidation that will only cause further isolation and dislocation,” he said.

“Palestinian media have a right to exist. They should be respected and Palestinian journalists should be recognised as media professionals. There will be no lasting peace until these basic democratic rights are established.”

The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.

More Information:

For further information, contact the IFJ, International Press Centre, Residence Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium, tel: +322 235 2200 or +322 235 22 01, fax: +322 235 22 19, e-mail: safety@ifj.org, Internet: www.ifj.org