Ramallah: Demonstration against violence toward journalists

Protestors carried pictures of Ma'anphotojournalist Fadi Arouri,shot twice by Israeli forces

January 7, 2007

Ramallah - Ma'an – The Palestinian union of journalists has, on Sunday, organized a sit-in strike in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, in protest at the Israeli invasion of the city on Thursday. The invasion resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and the injury of over 30 civilians. The Ma'an news agency photojournalist Fadi Arouri was seriously injured while attempting to cover the invasion.

Dozens of journalists, PLC members, faction leaders and civil dignitaries participated in the protest, despite the heavy rain. Foreigners showing solidarity with Palestinian journalists were also there.

The protesters raised pictures of their colleagues, Fadi Arouri, Osama Silwadi and the Peruvian photographer, Jaime Razuri, in addition to shouting slogans calling for an end to the killing and targeting of Palestinian journalists performing their professional duties.

Protestors also called on the abductors of the Peruvian photographer to release him.

Union chief, Na'im Tubasi, delivered a speech calling for the protection of journalists while on duty. He referred to the fact that Palestinian and foreign journalists are victims of Israeli occupation and domestic Palestinian chaos.

He called on all humanitarian organizations to compose a committee to investigate the Israeli violations of human rights, especially toward journalists.