Reporters Without Borders condemn Israel
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/9/2002

"Since the start of the second Intifada, in September 2000, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has counted 53 cases of journalists wounded by gunfire. In the vast majority of cases, RSF has found that the shooting came from the Israeli side. Some of the journalists were seriously wounded, even though several of them were clearly identifiable as press and standing some distance from clashes taking plac," a report by Reporters Without Borders organization said

It said "Since Israel began its offensive against towns and cities administered by the Palestinian Authority 10 days ago, there have been about 40 cases of journalists being obstructed in their work (wounded, injured, arrested, expelled or threatened)."

The report added "ÊAttacks on press freedom have increased in recent days. Since Israel declared Ramallah a "closed military zone" on 31 March, journalists have found it harder to do their job. They have been arrested, threatened, roughed up, hindered in their movements, expelled, wounded or injured and had their accreditations or passports confiscated as part of efforts by the Israeli authorities to restrict the free flow of information."

The report added "The Israeli army is knowingly targeting journalists in a deliberate policy of intimidation. The Israeli authorities are treating many journalists as "enemies" and accusing them of being "Palestinian sympathisers." They are also doing everything they can to hide their military operations and accompanying abuses from the world's media."

Previous Stories:
  Al-Ranteisi: Martyrdom operations will continue   (4/8/2002)
  World Writers' Association, Israel commits Nazi crimes   (4/6/2002)
  Israeli forces fire at reporters   (4/6/2002)
  Israeli soldiers shoot journalist in cold blood   (3/29/2002)

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