Foreign Press Association demands that Israeli Authorities immediately cease undressing journalists

[EFerrari]

Statements

STATEMENTS 2011

The Foreign Press Association demands that Israeli Authorities immediately cease undressing foreign and Arab journalists at official events.

This outrageous policy is an affront to common sense, an assault on human dignity and a blight upon the state of Israel. It simply must stop.

The latest outrage occurred earlier today when an Al Jazeera cameraman was asked to remove his pants upon arrival for an interview with President Shimon Peres _ an interview that came at the invitation of the president himself to criticize anti-Muslim violence! The explanations we have received - that such inspections are necessary for Arab journalists - are deeply troubling in a country that bills itself as the Middle East's only democracy.

It is not the first time this has happened. This pattern has existed for years and has become more entrenched and aggressive over the past year.

We respect Israel's need to maintain tight security. But when there is so much technology available to scan both people and their belongings, such practices cannot be justified and have nothing to do with security. The truth is darker and sadder: This lamentable policy combines blatant racism with systematic and ham-handed media harassment.

Sadly, by now we expect nothing better from the Shin Bet. Frankly, we have ceased hoping that the Prime Minister's Office - scene of some of the most persistent abuses - will intervene. But it is deeply disappointing that this policy is also accepted and enabled by the office of Shimon Peres - a Nobel Peace Laureate and outspoken advocate of human rights and progressive thinking. We respectfully call on the President to use the influence of his office to end this abomination.

The Foreign Press Association, October 4th, 2011

http://www.fpa.org.il/?categoryId=73840