IFJ Calls on Palestinian Factions to End Pressure on Journalists

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today warned warring factions in Palestine to stop using the media and pressurizing journalists in their political struggle.

The IFJ says that both Hamas and Fatah factions in Palestine are putting unacceptable pressure on journalists following a series of recent incidents in which journalists have been harassed and subject to intimidation.

“The political problems of Palestine will not be solved by the violent intimidation of journalistic freedom,” said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. “All sides in Palestine must allow journalists to report freely and a free press to function.”

On Sunday security forces in Hebron in the West Bank attacked journalists covering a student protest over increased university tuition.

The IFJ is supporting the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate who has also called on the Palestinian Authority to let journalists work independently and to allow previously banned media to resume publication.

The IFJ has protested the treatment of journalists in Gaza where Hamas' Executive Force has also attacked and harassed journalists and tried to shut down the PJS-Gaza and arrest its leaders.

The IFJ and its member unions around the world will give their full support to Palestinian jouranlists in Gaza and the West Bank in their fight for professionalism and independent journalism.


For more information contact the IFJ at 32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries worldwide