Committee to Protect Journalists calls for release of three Journalists detained by Israel

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has asked the Israeli government to release three journalists who have been detained since April without being charged with a crime.

"As a nonpartisan organization of journalists dedicated to defending press freedom worldwide, we find it unacceptable that our colleagues continue to languish in detention without being charged with a crime," says the CPJ in a letter to Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon.

Reiterating its deep concern about the ongoing detention of at least three journalists in Israel and the West Bank, the CPJ urged Sahron "to do everything in his power to see that Youssry al-Jamal, Hossam Abu Alan, Kamel Jbeil, and any other journalists being held without charge are released immediately unless it can be convincingly shown that they may have committed an offense recognizable under international law."

The letter, signed by Executive Director, Ann Cooper, recalled that Hossam Abu Alan, a veteran photographer for Agence France-Presse; Youssry al-Jamal, a soundman for Reuters news agency; and Kamel Jbeil, a reporter for the Palestinian daily Al-Quds, were detained by Israeli troops in April and remain under administrative detention without charge.

CPJ is currently investigating two other cases of journalists reportedly being held without charge, the letter said, adding that Israeli officials have accused Abu Alan, al-Jamal, and Jbeil of having contacts with militant groups, but have provided no details or evidence to support their allegations.