Supreme Court acts quickly on Foreign Press petition

Israeli Supreme Court acts swiftly in regards to foreign media reporters.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
Updated: AUGUST 4, 2017 00:12
Israeli police detains a Palestinian (photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN / REUTERS)
Israeli police detains a Palestinian
(photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN / REUTERS)
The Supreme Court acted quickly on a petition filed Wednesday by the Foreign Press Association that claimed the police acted violently against journalists and denied access to news events and to al-Aksa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The court ordered the Israel Police to respond to the complaints by August 24.
The FPA petitioned the court on two issues: First, it wanted the police to clarify why restrictions were placed on the press entering the Temple Mount compound and other parts of the Old City, particularly via the Lions’ Gate; Second, was a request for an interim injunction ordering the police to allow access to these locations and immediately desist from attacking journalists.
The FPA filed its petition along with video footage related to attacks on journalists from CNN, SKY Arabia, RAI TV and to violent behavior against Amir Cohen, a Reuters photojournalist.
The petition was also supported by affidavits, including one from a Reuters cameraman who suffered a concussion from blows to his head.
FPA members were asked to instantly report to the association’s secretary if the police or other security personnel try to impede them in any way from carrying out their assignments.