The German Journalists’ Association (DJV) expressed concern following an attack on DW employees in the .
“It is unacceptable that radical settlers are hunting down media professionals with impunity. This must not remain without consequences,” said Federal Chairman Mika Beuster on Sunday.
The statement comes after a DW correspondent and cameraman came under attack from Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Sinjil in the on Friday.
The settlers threw stones and chased the team. Both got away unharmed, but their car was badly damaged.
Several other news organizations were present at the time of the attack, including French news agency AFP, the New York Times and the Washington Post. Palestinian journalists also had to flee.
The journalists were wearing marked press jackets.
An Israeli military spokesperson told Germany’s DPA news agency that they would look into the issue.
How did DW respond to the attack?
DW Director General Peter Limbourg on Saturday condemned an attack on two DW reporters.
“DW condemns this attack on our colleagues who had traveled to Sinjil to cover a planned protest against settler violence,” said Limbourg in a statement.
“We are relieved that they were not physically injured in the attack and were able to get to safety. There is no justification for this attack,” said Limbourg
“We strongly demand that the Israeli government guarantee the safety of all journalists in the West Bank. — and therefore the safety of journalists — is an indispensable pillar of any democracy,” he added.
German ambassador condemns attack
Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, also expressed his concern in a post on X.
“The freedom of press and the safety of journalists must be guaranteed,” he wrote.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law and the UN’s top court last year called for construction to stop immediately — a ruling denounced by Israel.
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