Israel to penalize IDF soldiers for assaulting journalists in West Bank

The Israeli military said Saturday that the soldiers who assaulted two journalists working for Agence France-Presse in the West Bank Friday will face disciplinary measures.

A statement released by the Spokesman's Unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the army has opened an investigation into the incident.

"From the initial investigation, it appears that the force did not operate as is expected of them and was in contravention of regulations," the statement read.

The Foreign Press Association said in a statement that an AFP cameraman and photographer were harassed and beaten by IDF soldiers "in an unprovoked attack" when they were covering a rally near Nablus Friday.

The association said that the IDF soldiers pointed their weapons at the two journalists, threw one to the ground, punched him in the ribs and held him pinned to the floor with a knee in the chest.

Both had to be treated in hospital and their equipment were also destroyed, causing several thousand euros of damage.

The incident at Beit Furik, near Nablus, was caught on camera by a crew with Palmedia, a Palestinian production company, and posted online.

The footage showed that IDF soldiers smashed two cameras and seized a photo camera.

Army spokesman Colonel Peter Lerner later told AFP that "disciplinary measures will be taken," adding that "the highest levels of command are aware of the incident."

The Foreign Press Association welcomed the military investigation but said that it is concerned that had this incident not been caught on camera, nothing would be done. "Units of the IDF too frequently act with impunity and apparently outside of their orders." Endit