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Name
Evan
- United States
Profession
Question
If things are as bad for the international press in Israel as we’re made to believe they are, then what possess all those reporters to stay on in the middle of a war zone?
Answer
Kloie Picot: I have been following the Palestinian photojournalists for the past 7 months; compared to the Palestinian press the International press has nothing to complain about. There have been some problems in regards to intimidation from the soldiers in crossing checkpoints, and once they attacked and tried to break my camera, but mainly I have been free to do my job.
I stay here in Nablus to show to whoever I can what is really going on. What the MASS media presents and what is on the ground often is in conflict.
Also I enjoy my job; I am better suited to this kind of video coverage than to pagents or parades in non-combat areas.
Name
Abdullah
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I’ve heard allegations that the Israelis specifically target the press. Is this a fact? Or is it more a situation of the press being hurt in the crossfire? I would think it’s dangerous to deliberately shoot at people with international agencies, who happen to be holding cameras.
Answer
Kloie Picot: I believe their army does intentionally target the press. Why? I saw it with my own eyes in the case of Nazeh Darwazeh. I filmed the clash that day. I was there, I saw the footage of his killing, I talked to the journalists (whom I am making my documentary about) standing beside Nazeh when he was killed.
Also there are cases when the journalists do get caught in the crossfire. Abed Qusini, was shot in the leg. He is uncertain if it was an Israeli soldier or a Palestinian fighter. Photojournalists MUST get close to the action in order to get the shot; this places them in very, very dangerous situations. The stone throwers often disregard the safety of the journalists and use them for cover. The Israeli soldiers take advantage of this.
Also, one week ago, Magdi, AP, was attacked by rampaging Israeli soldiers in Salim, his face banged on the hood of a Jeep. I would say that was intentional.
Charges are being pressed, but the Army DCO make a reverse kangaroo court and the soldier gets a slight reprimand.
I have many stories to tell of this. I am eye witness to YES, the soldiers do target PALESTINIAN photojournalists from the major agencies, without regard, without concequences. Israeli soldiers do whatever it is they want to. That is a sad fact.
Nizar Ramadan: I think that Israel is targeting the truth. Truth which uncovers the reality of the occupation, and shows the real life of the Palestinians. As long as this truth is portrayed by journalists to the whole world, I believe through my experience that Israel does not want the truth to reach international opinion. Therefore, it targets the media, intentionally or unintentionally.
We can see in reality that journalists are being shot dead or injured, and others are denied from covering events. I feel that Israel is against the truth.
Name
Omar
- Egypt
Profession
Question
What’s the most flagrant form of harassment you’ve been subjected to by the Israelis?
Answer
Kloie Picot: the most flagrant harassment I experienced was while filming a troop of four Israeli soldiers walking on a village road in full battle formation. I could feel they were either scared of being killed or ready to do some killing. I was in clear sight standing on a hill. I expected them to signal to me to stop filming; they did not, so I continued. As they approached, the lead soldier broke off, attacked me and tried to break my video camera. Luckily, I had it tied to my wrist (travel experience), and to break it he would have to break my arm. They wanted me to delete what I had filmed. I made it look as if I deleted it, but still have the footage.
Nizar Ramadan: Israel does not respect political opinions. I was in prison for 18 months, and before that I was deported for one year. The only reason was my political opinion. The only accusation in court was that I gave a lecture in Al-Quds University supporting the Islamic Bloc at the university. Therefore, when you are taken from your home, from your children, and deported or imprisoned, then this is, I believe, ruthless harrassment.
Israel has enveloped the most extreme positions its society offers. At the same time, it does not afford the moderate positions in the Palestinian side. When we read what the Israeli journalists publish, we find that there is a wide margin of democracy and freedom of opinion that is not offered to the Palestinians.
Name
Sara
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Can you recall specific incidents or notable experiences that you went through while doing your job as journalists in Palestine?
Answer
Kloie Picot: In filming and following the photojournalists for my film "Take Your Shot," I have had so many experiences. Where to begin?
I feel humbled by these brave souls, who day in and day out cover the horrors of occupation towards their OWN people. I am also very much effectd by the death of yet another shahid, but it is another thing to think these are my neighbours, these are people I have known for years, these are fighters I shot in a political rally. Also when travelling with them, and how they must act and NOT react to the taunting of the checkpoint soldiers and the DCO's, who, if they want, prevent the Palestinian journalists from "Taking Their Shot".
DCO commanders threatening to deport me if they find me at the checkpoint again or in Nablus. Idle threats, but effective in that I take back roads now.
Also from the other side, the Palestinian tendency to exaggerate an already unimaginable situation. There is no need in my opinion to exaggerate the situation here. The truth is worse than any fiction anyone could write.
Nizar Ramadan: When the Israelis deported me, I was working with Quds Press news agency. I did not have any kind of political activities. I did not do anything that I should be punished for. I was not a member of any movement. Nobody gave my name or informed on me in interrigations that the Israelis conducted.
The same happened with me when I was imprisoned last year. I was charged for giving a lecture in Al-Quds University, a lecture which I could give at the university of Tel Aviv without any consequences. That what I call harrassment.
Name
Ahmed
- Qatar
Profession
Question
Aren’t journalists protected by any form of international convention or law? If so, doesn’t it have any form of enforcement mechanism? And realistically speaking, is there anything tangible the press can do to prevent further violations?
Answer
Kloie Picot: There certainly are laws and international conventions, just as there are UN resolutions, but when has Israel ever honored or been made to honor them?
In the case of the journalists I have been following... the heads of their agencies lodge complaints with the Israeli DCO's, who then make an investigation. In the meantime, the journalists are working around the friends and collegues of the "soldier accused." These fellow soldiers taunt and harrass the accuser. Calling them names from the speaker phones in their jeeps, telling them to leave, or coming up to them and smiling that smile. If there is an "accidental shooting" of the accusing journalist, "Oops!" say the Israeli soldiers. "We thought his camera was a rocket launcher."
Right now, there is very, very little being done to protect the "Palestinian" journalists, except lodging a complaint that may get you targeted and killed.
Nizar Ramadan: As far as I know, there are international conventions that protect journalists' freedom of movement and expression. All international organizations back this in their conventions. Israel turns a blind eye to all of these, whether with regard to the journalists, or to general human rights. We, as journalists, call upon all international organizations to protest the mistreatment and misinformation Palestinian journalists are subjected to.
Name
Pieter
- Denmark
Profession
Question
Do you face any problems from the Palestinian authority, or the Palestinian people themselves? What about the average Israeli, civilians, etc?
Answer
Kloie Picot: Yes, trust. Unfortunately, Israel has used foreign journalists as spys, so though I was readily welcomed into the community here in Nablus, there were certain elements or factions that were understandably suspicious of my presence here.
In Israel, the average citizen just doesn't want to know; certain facts and truths of the situation here in the West Bank are well hidden in Israel. I have a friend who spent 6 months in London; upon his return he could not believe the misinformation reported in the Israeli mass media, or rather the misinformation.
The Palestinian Authority welcomes journalists who come to live and work in the west bank, but it is from the Israelis that we get our permission to stay...
Nizar Ramadan: We face few problems with the Palestinian Authority. But the main problems lie with the Israelis who make our tasks almost impossible. There are some red lines with our coverage in the Palestinian areas, drawn by the PA. We don't give a lot of attention to that right now, since our lives are threatened by the Israelis.
Regarding the Palestinian people, they are supportive and very cooperative. The Palestinian civilians may misunderstand things, and thus face minor problems with them. But generally speaking, they are helping journalists, and provide them with whatever information is needed.
Name
Weldon
- United States
Profession
Question
I notice one of the guests spent several months in an Israeli prison. I'm sure you don't expect us to believe that this occured because you a reporter? I'm sure it was more to do with your being a Palestinian!
Answer
Nizar Ramadan: That's true. But the point is that I was not, and I am not, involved in any political activity. This is the point. Being a Palestinian journalist is even more dangerous to the Israeli propaganda machine than any political activity.
Name
Amine
- United States
Profession
Question
How does Israel manage to keep a good image in the world despite all the abuse. Is it because they control all the media outlets?
Answer
Kloie Picot: I think it is because they have a plan and know how to implement it. They have experts in media image, shaping the spokesmen. They offer lessons and workshops in Public Relations and take IMAGE very seriously.
I do not think they control the media. What they do control is themselves, presenting themselves as righteous and the victim of an anti-Semitic campaign against them. They use all their tools effectively.
