The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned actions by the Israeli army which raided and closed down three Palestinian radio stations on Wednesday.

The IFJ has demanded a full inquiry into the military crackdown on three radio networks operating out of the city of Hebron which provoked new demonstrations by Palestinian journalists across the West Bank and Gaza.

"Sending the army into media houses to shut down Palestinian media is another sign of bullying and intolerance by the Israeli authorities," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.  

The protests arose after Israeli soldiers ransacked studios of One FM, Al-Hurriah, and Al Majd radio stations. The military also confiscated equipment and arrested Muhammad Kafisha, One FM director and Mahmoud Knebi, media worker at Al-Hurriah.

 "The IFJ asks for the immediate release of the detained journalists" said White. "We need a full inquiry into why this action took place and the ending of all ongoing and illegitimate targeting of media and journalists in the Palestinian Territories".

 The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), the IFJ affiliate in Palestine, condemned the latest attacks with demonstrations in Hebron, Ramallah and Gaza and made fresh demands for a review of the Israeli army's controversial self-exonerating report issued last week of how its soldiers fired upon and killed Reuter's cameraman Fadel Shana.  

"There must be a full and independent investigation into this killing as well as action by the international community to restrain Israeli attacks on Palestinian media," said White.

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2210
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 122 countries worldwide.