The Foreign Press Association statements to the IDF.

The FPA replies to the IDF response from last night:

The Foreign Press Association feels the IDF statement regarding the Nov. 29 incident at the Qalandiya crossing to be misleading and unsatisfactory.

During the incident, troops fired rubber bullets and threw stun grenades directly at a group of working journalists. The IDF’s statement does not explain why troops fired rubber bullets at eye-level, rather than at the lower body, which in this incident could have resulted in a fatality. It also gives no answer or explanation as to why someone threw a stun grenade at the back of a group of photographers who had made clear to them that they were walking away from the scene.
Once again, we urge the IDF to investigate the very real concerns that we raised. The photojournalists were clearly identified and there can be no excuses made for the way in which they were treated. By turning a blind eye to clear breaches of protocol, and repeatedly failing to properly investigate similar incidents in the past, we fear the IDF is creating a culture of impunity within its ranks that only serves to perpetuate an already dangerous situation.

The FPA also urges the IDF to communicate clearly to soldiers working in the field that they must not target the press. December 2nd. 2013



IDF response:On the 29th of November ,2013, an illegal and violent protest took place at the Qalandia Crossing, during which fire bombs were thrown and rocks hurled towards security forces, who responded accordingly with riot dispersal means. Throughout the provocation, photojournalists were sighted adjacent and in the midst of the rioters, putting themselves at risk. In the initial IDF review of the incident the IDF concluded that the rubber bullet which hit the photojournalist's camera, who was in the vicinity of violent protesters, was not intentionally fired towards him, but part of the riot dispersal means which were aimed at disbanding the protest. The European Media Desk (IDF)



On Friday afternoon, Israeli forces threw stun grenades at FPA photojournalists (among them representatives of AFP and other freelancers) as they were leaving Qalandia. The FPA members had put their hands in the air, indicating to the forces that they were leaving at which point the grenades were thrown from close quarters directly at their backs.
Earlier, at the same demonstration, an Italian freelance photographer was almost shot in the face by troops firing at eye level. Fortunately the photographer was taking pictures at the time and the rubber bullet shattered the camera instead of his head. All the photographers in question wore clearly-marked jackets and helmets. There is no question that the forces were directly targeting the journalists.
In February, the FPA issued a statement noting that the army and military police have a dismal track record for investigating such incidents. Over the past two years, the FPA has demanded investigations into some 10 incidents in which journalists appear to have been abused by Israeli security forces. As far as we know, just two investigations have been launched, WITH NO RESULTS. The others have been ignored.
The Turkel Commission has stated that the military’s investigative processes suffer from “structural problems.” A proper investigation into violence against the media and holding soldiers accountable for their actions would be a very practical first step towards rectifying these problems.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association, December 1st, 2013

http://www.fpa.org.il/?categoryId=73840