JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 17, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
BRUSSELS – International Federation of Journalists’ leaders came under a tear gas attack on Saturday after Israeli soldiers fired on a peaceful assembly demanding the right to freedom of movement for Palestinian journalists.
One member of the IFJ's Executive Committee was injured after being hit on the shoulder and many others were left choking after the attack.
#ifj leaders and Palestinian journalists #PJS attacked with tear gas by Israeli soldiers while demanding rights to freedom of movement for #journalists. Solidarity with Palestinian journalists - end the attack on media freedom. @IFEX @UNESCO @AAzoulay @antonioguterres @OSCE_RFoM pic.twitter.com/nJnwV4QiT2
— IFJ (@IFJGlobal) November 17, 2018
In an open letter to the Israeli Prime Minister, the IFJ - whose Executive Committee is meeting in Ramallah - has demanded an urgent response to the unprovoked attack on the peaceful demonstration in support of the rights of Palestinian journalists.
In the letter, copied to the United Nations and Unesco, the IFJ leadership said: “After having held a brief press conference the IFJ’s global leadership and a number of Palestinian journalists walked peacefully a few hundred meters along the main road towards the Qalandia checkpoint.
“At about 100 meters from this important entry point to Jerusalem the Israeli army, with no warning and no discussion, fired around 10 tear gas grenades towards the group, injuring one of the members of the IFJ’s Executive Committee on the shoulder and causing many others to choke.
“In a peaceful manner and still well within the Palestinian Territiories the IFJ delegation turned and retraced their steps along the road in a bid to escape the Israeli gas attack.
“The IFJ urgently demands a response from the Israeli Prime Minister to this unprovoked physical assault and to these violations of freedom of expression and freedom of movement. No democratic state worthy of the name can react in this way.”
The IFJ also called on the Israeli authorities to recognize the International Press Card which is recognized by 145 governments worldwide - but not in Israel. – IFJ media release
January 23, 2025: CPJ exposes Pakistan's dangerous deportation of Afghan journalists fleeing Taliban persecution, highlighting critical human rights violations and press freedom challenges. #JournalistSafety
January 23, 2025: Pakistan's PECA Amendment exposes a dangerous assault on press freedom, creating a repressive social media regulatory framework that threatens digital expression and criminalizes journalism. #MediaFreedom #PakistanLaw #DigitalRights #Censorship #JournalismUnderThreat
January 23, 2025: An in-depth look at the recent scuffle on a Pakistani talk show, its implications for media ethics, and the urgent need for TV channels to uphold decorum during debates.
January 22, 2025: PFUJ condemns the neglect of PTV pensioners who protested in Islamabad for unpaid dues and benefits. Union urges authorities to resolve issues without delay.
January 22, 2025: The PFUJ has condemned the new amendments to PECA 2016, describing them as unconstitutional and threatening press freedom. It warns of nationwide protests if the government doesn’t withdraw the bill.
January 22, 2025: The FIA has registered 18 cases, including against 10 more suspects, for sharing AI-generated images of Maryam Nawaz and the UAE President. The crackdown also targets those who liked or commented on the images.
January 21, 2025: Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Trump on X despite the year-long platform ban, sparking outrage over government double standards and digital censorship concerns.
January 17, 2025: In an unprecedented breach of judicial protocol, Pakistani journalists accurately revealed Imran Khan's 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir case on social media 24 hours before the official verdict, raising serious questions about court independence
January 20, 2025 Pakistan at the Crossroads of Glory and Expectation! As hosts and defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy, the team stands poised for greatness. Can they turn the weight of national hope into victory? Read our in-depth analysis!
January 18, 2025 A CPJ report reveals that 361 journalists were jailed globally in 2024, with China, Israel, and Myanmar leading. The alarming trend highlights threats to press freedom and rising authoritarian repression worldwide.
January 16, 2025 Explore the evolution of the ICC Champions Trophy and cricket’s commercialization journey, from a gentleman’s game to a global enterprise. Discover how the ICC balanced tradition with revenue generation.
January 12, 2025 Explore an in-depth analysis of Pakistan cricket's decline in Test matches, examining systemic failures, cultural challenges, and the urgent need for modernization. From mismanagement of talents like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to resistance against technological advancement, this comprehensive piece investigates how a cricket powerhouse finds itself at a critical crossroads between tradition and progress.
January 09, 2025 Shan Masood's magnificent 145 and a record-breaking opening stand with Babar Azam highlighted Pakistan's valiant fight against South Africa in Cape Town. Despite their resilience, Pakistan fell short, reflecting on deeper cricketing issues.