The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (Mada) condemns the attack perpetrated by a group of Jewish settlers on the photographers brothers Abdel Hafith and Nayef Hashlamoun, this morning in Hebron city (WB).
EPA photographer Abdel Hafith Hashlamoun said that he was covering the olive harvest in Tel Rumeidah neighborhood in Hebron city, with the help of Palestinians, Israelis and foreigners volunteers, a group of settlers came to the area , and when they saw journalists they continued to walk toward another group of olive pickers. He thought they might attack them, because there aren’t reporters there, ,so he headed there and began to take picture of them , when they saw him they attacked and beat him, which led to minor injuries and bruises in deferent parts of his body. They also attacked British volunteer, when she tried to take his camera from them, after that he was taken to the Hebron governmental hospital, where he received treatment.
Reuter photographer Nayef Hashlamoun said that he rushed to defend his brother, but they also attacked and beat him.
Mada considers this new attack on journalists Hashlamoun flagrant violation of media freedoms, and calls upon the international community to pressure the Israeli government to stop settlers attacks on Palestinian journalists.