The International News Safety Institute (INSI) has backed a call by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) for the United Nations to investigate the targeting of media by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Israeli military actions in Gaza appear to amount to a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1738 which demands all parties in armed conflict comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians, including journalists.
The resolution, passed unanimously in 2006 after a two-year campaign by IFJ, INSI and the European Broadcasting Union, condemns intentional attacks against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of armed conflict, and calls upon all parties to put an end to such practices.
It points out that media equipment and installations constitute civilian objects, "and in this respect shall not be the object of attack or of reprisals, unless they are military objectives." The full text of the resolution is on INSI's website www.newssafety.org
The IFJ statement said a letter had been sent to UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon saying Israel was defying its obligations under Resolution 1738. IFJ and the Committee to Protect Journalists, both INSI members, have accused the Israeli military of targeting Palestinian news media in the Gaza Strip while maintaining a ban on foreign journalists from entering the territory.
CPJ, quoting regional news agencies, said Israeli forces on Monday fired two missiles into the offices of the Hamas-affiliated Al-Risala news weekly and a few minutes later bombed al-Rantisi printers, a commercial firm which publishes Al-Risala.
IFJ said Israeli aircraft attacked the television station Al Aqsa on December 28 and on January 9 staged a double air strike on the Al-Johara Tower in Gaza City. The building, a base for up to 20 news organisations, was clearly marked as housing media staff.
The Palestine Journalists Syndicate (PJS) said Israeli forces have targetted vehicles and journalists identified as such with prominent "Press" or "TV" markings.
"Resolution 1738 was a landmark development in efforts to protect the news media in conflict zones. Once again we call for it to be observed in letter and in spirit. The United Nations must hold its members to account in this crucial matter," said INSI Director Rodney Pinder.
