Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

Live News — A Survival Guide for Journalistsworking for AP, was struck by a live round fired by an Israeli soldierin the West Bank town of Bethlehem. She sustained seriousinjuries to her bladder, internal organs and pelvis. Monakhov hadbeen with a small group of Palestinian youth who were breakingup stones to use in their slingshots. Some were hurling stones.When an Israeli soldier appeared and took aim, Monakhov fledwith the youths, who took shelter in a small recess. Her backpackprevented her from taking proper cover. The Israeli army at firstdenied that a journalist had been shot, but later apologised toMonakhov. Their report said that the soldier had violated IDF rulesof engagement, but had not targeted the journalist intentionally.On November 12 2000, Israeli soldiers stopped Reuters cameramanMazen Dana near the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba, andprevented him from entering Hebron. Dana was travelling withMary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. AfterRobinson protested, Dana was allowed to proceed. Jewish settlersattacked Dana’s car with stones and metal bars. The journalist wastaken to the local police station and questioned.Palestinian authorities have also harassed and threatened journalists.On October 12 2000, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, anItalian RAI television crew filmed the killing of two Israelis byPalestinian civilians who forced their way into a police station. ThePalestinian National Authority (PNA) tried to confiscate the film,beating the cameraman and assaulting crew members. RAI pulledits staff out of the Middle East after threats.On November 15, PNA security forces raided the Bethlehembasedtelevision station Al-Roa’, beat station director Hamdi Farrajand threatened to shoot staff members. Soldiers locked the station’sdoors and confiscated the keys. The station was issued witha banning order, but was later allowed to resume broadcasting. InJanuary 2001, the PNA detained Majdi al-Arbid, a cameraman whoowns a production company in the Gaza Strip, in connection withvideo footage of a PNA execution aired on Israel’s Channel 2 .On January 17 2001, masked gunmen in the Gaza Strip assassinatedHisham Mekki, head of the official Palestinian radio and televisionstations and member of the Fatah movement. ‘PalestinianAl Aqsa Brigades’ claimed responsibility.Throughout 2001 and 2002 the majority of attacks on media continuedto be by members of the IDF. Al Wattan TV cameramanAshraf Kutkut and reporters Mas’adah ‘Uthman and Duha AlShami, were attacked by Israeli troops on January 28 2001, at Ein37