The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS) has condemned as “racist” Israel’s intent to enact legislation prohibiting and criminalizing the photographing and recording of Israeli soldiers while on duty and said the intended law would deal a severe blow to the profession of the press.
Last Thursday a bill was submitted at the Israeli Parliament the Knesset calling for banning anyone from taking pictures or recording Israeli soldiers on duty.
The bill proposes a five-year prison term for “anyone who filmed photographed or recorded soldiers in the course of their duties with the intention of undermining the spirit of soldiers and residents of Israel” and ten-year prison terms for anyone “intending to harm state security.”
The bill also calls for penalizing the publication of photo or video content on social media websites or through news outlets.
In a statement on Saturday the PJS warned that such law if passed would encourage Israeli army soldiers to commit more crimes without any chance to document or expose their violations by journalists or social media activists.
The syndicate considered the proposed law an attempt by the Israeli army to escape international justice and avoid being held accountable for its actions and a reflection of the mindsets of war minister Avigdor Lieberman and Israeli leaders “who are noted for their criminal records.”
It appealed to the UN and all international institutions concerned with the freedom of the press to state their positions in this regard and pressure Israel to respect the freedom of the press and refrain from adopting laws that violate the international law.
