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Israeli police 'kick and beat' journalist in video

The cameraman for France 2 was attacked despite telling police in Hebrew that he was an accredited journalist

Samuel Osborne
Friday 16 October 2015 05:17 EDT
With permission - Cameraman attacked at Jerusalem Bus Station

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A cameraman was reportedly kicked and beaten by Israeli police despite telling them in Hebrew that he was an accredited journalist.

The Jerusalem correspondent and a cameraman for France 2 were approaching the central bus station to cover an attack on 14 October when they were warned by an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldier not to film events.

As the cameraman turned to leave the site, he was attacked by several Israeli border policemen, despite informing them in Hebrew that he was an accredited journalist, the Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Israel reports.

Footage of the incident shows Israeli police stamping on the man's face as he lies on the ground.

He was reportedly pushed to the ground, kicked and beaten by the men.

"Notwithstanding the current stress and tension in Jerusalem, the FPA finds this violent behaviour by security forces toward foreign journalists absolutely inexcusable and abhorrent," an FPA spokesperson said.

"We call on them to identify any misconduct on the part of their personnel, and issue clear instructions to commanders about allowing journalists to work freely."

The FPA says it has requested a meeting with the head of the Border Police following "a series of attacks in which journalists, and especially photojournalists, were subjected to unprovoked attacks."

So far, they say their request has been ignored.

The news comes amid a cycle of bloodshed which saw at least seven Israelis and 31 Palestinians, including attackers, children and protestors, killed in two weeks of violence.

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