The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on Israeli authorities to return equipment seized by soldiers after a raid on Radio Bethlehem 2000 last week in Beit Jala near Bethlehem, shutting down the station.

"We strongly condemn this heavy handed act of censorship," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "The fact that the Israeli military considers the station's broadcast as negative to their interests do not justify shutting it down."

According to the station's manager, George Canawati, Israeli military raided the station's headquarters on 25 August and ordered the technician dismantle the equipment for broadcasting which they took away. They reportedly said they did not like Radio Bethlehem's broadcasts and warned they would bomb the station if it resumed broadcasting.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), an IFJ affiliate, joined the staff of Radio Bethlehem and journalists in the West Bank in protests which were held on Sunday to demand the return of the confiscated material.

The IFJ supports the protest and says the soldiers' action against the radio station, which is otherwise popular because of its entertainment and culture programming, illustrates intolerance of alternative media views of the situation in Palestine.

"This intimidation will only further alienate people and lead to further resentment," added White. "The authorities must immediately return the equipment and put an end to this knee-jerk form of military censorship."

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide