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ALERT - PALESTINE
19 June 2007
Armed gunmen raid journalists' union offices, seize documents
SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels
**For further information on the Johnston case, see IFEX alerts of 18, 13
and 4 June, 10 and 4 May, 26 April 2007, and others**
(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an 18 June 2007 IFJ media release:
World Journalists Condemn Armed Raid on Offices of Palestinian Journalists'
Union in Gaza
The International Federation of Journalists today renewed calls for urgent
action to protect Palestinian journalists after an armed raid over the
weekend on the Gaza offices of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate by
militants linked to Hamas.
Gunmen entered the offices of the Syndicate, which is affiliated to the
IFJ, on Saturday and seized documents and computers, according to a
statement issued by union leaders yesterday.
"The targeting of Gaza's journalists only reinforces fears for the safety
of media staff and underscores the threat to free reporting in the turmoil
that is overwhelming the region," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.
Earlier the IFJ welcomed the release on Saturday of Tawfiq abu Khousa, a
leader of the Syndicate in Gaza who had been among people rounded up by
Hamas gunmen following fierce fighting between them and Fatah gunmen
supporting President Mahmoud Abbas.
"These actions place journalists in the mix of the conflict and amount to
unacceptable intimidation," said White. "We need urgent actions by all
sides in this dispute to guarantee the safety of journalists and to protect
their right to report freely."
The IFJ said that Hamas should return the papers and equipment to the
Syndicate and pledge to refrain from further interference in the Syndicate.
The IFJ's newly-elected President Jim Boumelha has also called for fresh
action by Hamas leaders to free the kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston,
a fellow member of the National Union of Journalists of Great Britain and
Ireland.
"It's time for those who have influence in Gaza to make their presence felt
and end the three-month ordeal of Alan Johnston," said Boumelha.
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries
worldwide.
For further information, contact the IFJ, International Press Centre,
Residence Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium,
tel: +322 235 2200 / 2207, fax: +322 235 2219, e-mail:
rachel.cohen@ifj.org, Internet: http://www.ifj.org/
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of IFJ.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit IFJ.
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