Reporters Without Borders condemns violence by Israeli forces against journalists

2012-02-16 11:59:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

PARIS, FRANCE (BNO NEWS) -- Reporters Without Borders on Wednesday condemned the alleged violence used by Israeli forces against Palestinian, Israeli and foreign photojournalists covering demonstrations against Israel's West Bank separation barrier.

In a statement, the Paris-based press freedom organization said it "deplores the total impunity enjoyed by the soldiers responsible for these abuses." It said that two Palestinian journalists were injured by tear gas grenades and rubber bullets fired by Israeli soldiers when they were covering a weekly protest in the village of Nabi Saleh on February 10.

According to the organization, Ahmed Maslah, who works as a cameraman for the Turkish television station TRT and a photographer for the New York Times, was among those injured. Witnesses told Reporters Without Borders that soldiers appeared to have deliberately fired tear gas grenades and rubber bullets in the direction of the journalists.

"Reporters Without Borders has on many occasions asked the Israeli army to undertake independent and impartial investigations into such incidents in order to identify and punish those responsible," the statement said. "Even when the army does carry out an investigation, it seldom reaches any real conclusions."

On December 22, the Israeli army responded to a complaint filed by Israeli photographer Mati Milstein after he and other photojournalists were the target of an attack by soldiers on the outskirts of Nabi Saleh in July 2011. The letter from army spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Avital Leibovich said the army responded appropriately to what it considered a "violent and illegal demonstration".

She stressed that the complaint was not appropriate because of the dangers present in the West Bank areas concerned, adding: "Sometimes the media are caught in the eye of the storm."

"Reporters Without Borders is outraged at this insulting and totally inadequate response from the Israeli Defense Forces, which continually protect the army at the expense of freedom of information," the organization added.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-16

I would have thought getting injured is a risk you take as a frontline news reporter in a war zone. You can't just shout, 'Stop Press.'

That is what I was thinking.

RWB has to speak out for two purposes;

1. Remind the Israelis to behave and,

2. Be consistent, as RWB has been very critical of Syria and has been attacked as being zionist stooges.

They were not injured in crossfire or the confusion of battle but deliberately targeted by Israeli soldiers.

I would have thought getting injured is a risk you take as a frontline news reporter in a war zone. You can't just shout, 'Stop Press.'

Sorry, run that one by me again. They were in a 'war zone' is that correct? A little Freudian slip perhaps.

Posters who wish to start a pedantic argument by baiting other posters will find themselves in the penalty box for a time.

Stay on the topic of the OP.

I would have thought getting injured is a risk you take as a frontline news reporter in a war zone. You can't just shout, 'Stop Press.'

Sorry, run that one by me again. They were in a 'war zone' is that correct? A little Freudian slip perhaps.

Not a war zone as such. The IDF does limit entry to the area, though.

I've seen footage of soldiers harassing reporters in the past.

Also seen footage of reporters going against army instructions and then confronting soldiers or egging on demonstrators if it's a slow day.

It's a messy spot for sure.

It seems to me this organization of reporters have some very legitimate grievances. Hoping them success in lobbying the government of Israel to make the necessary changes.

Yes. I have seen war correspondants placing themselves in some situations that are down right scary to watch. Cowboys with cameras.

In this case however, it didn't seem to occur during a contact or gun battle. Therefore the IDF soldiers should have been in a position to know exactly who/what they were targeting when they decided to engage. However soldiers on the ground from a trained military, would not have the balls to open up on such targets unless it was within the ROE's or at least sactioned by people a lot further up the chain than them. Like. Ministry level. Therefore one would be forgiven for coming to a conclusion that the Israeli government is condoning such actions.