Date :18 Jul 2010
The Foreign Press Association in Israel denounced what it termed "a recent change in policy" by Israeli forces in their treatment of journalists in the West Bank, a statement read Saturday.

The association, which represents foreign correspondents and journalists working in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, said it "strongly protests" what appears to be an increase in the harassment of journalists covering demonstrations in the West Bank.

"Over the past months journalists covering these events have been harassed, arrested and attacked by the various on site forces before these forces turn their attention to the activists or demonstrators," the FPA wrote.

The FPA said Israel forces, including border guards, should be reminded that "unhindered coverage of news events is a widely acknowledged part of the essence of democracy."

"Generally speaking this would not include smashing the face of a clearly marked photographer working for a known and accredited news organization with a stick, or for that matter aiming a stun grenade at the head of a clearly marked news photographer or summarily arresting cameramen, photographers and/or journalists," the statement read.

On Saturday, three journalists were injured by Israeli forces as they covered a rally against land confiscation by a nearby settlement in Beit Ummar, a village in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.

Medics said Reuters photojournalist Abed Khweisa was treated checked for facial bone fractures after a percussion grenade hit him in the cheek, while DPA photographer Abdul-Hafidh Hashlamoun was treated for bruises on his back after being struck by a second canister shot from a high-velocity launcher.

A third photojournalist was physically assaulted by armed Israeli personnel, and was taken to hospital for treatment by Red Crescent Paramedics. source: ma'an