Another attack on a Palestinian journalist

Reporters Without Borders today roundly condemned a brutal attack by masked men last night in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Palestinian photographer Jamal Aruri, who works for the French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP). As far as Reporters Without Borders knows, this was the first attack on a Palestinian journalist in Ramallah since the start of a wave of violence against the news media in the Palestinian territories in September 2003. The organisation reiterated its urgent appeal for immediate and thorough investigations into these press freedom violations. "Because of their slowness and passivity, the Palestinian security services bear a heavy responsibility for these repeated attacks on news media and journalists in the territories under their control," the organisation said. It added : "Until now, no investigation has produced any result and no one has been brought to trial. These abuses have been allowed to go totally unpunished, leaving journalists vulnerable to the struggles between political clans and the security chaos." Aruri, 38, was beaten in the car park of his house by two men armed with clubs, who injured his elbow and left his face and body covered with bruises. He was still in hospital today and had to undergo an operation. "I don't understand the reason for this attack," he told AFP. "I don't have problems here with anyone." Aruri was questioned today by the Palestinian police. Reporters Without Borders is aware of at least two physical attacks on Palestinian journalists since September 2003, and two cases of ransacking and vandalism of news media offices. These attacks have been carried out by armed and, usually, masked men. A journalist was also murdered on 2 March in Gaza: Khalil Al-Zebin, the editor of the fortnightly An-Nashra and a close adviser of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat. Reporters Without Borders wrote to President Arafat on 2 March urging him to do everything possible to "remedy the laxity of the security forces, which is unfortunately taking a toll on the Palestinian media." The organisation said the results of investigations must be made public and those responsible for attacks on the safety and freedom of journalists must be prosecuted.