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Int'l press body slams Israeli raid on Palestinian news agency

BRUSSELS, Dec 11 (KUNA) -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Tuesday condemned a raid by Israeli forces on the offices of the Palestinian news agency Wafa, in Ramallah on Monday.
The Federation in a press release said a group of Israeli soldiers invaded the headquarters of Wafa, with no clear reason or justification.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary condemned this "reckless act of the Israeli army," which endangered the lives of Palestinian journalists working in their newsroom.
"Those responsible for ordering this raid must be held accountable. This new attack on press freedom and journalists in Palestine from Israeli forces is unacceptable. The violent intrusion and forfeiture of journalists' equipment cannot be justified," he said.
"We demand the immediate end of violence against Palestinian media, the release of the two journalists arrested on Monday and of all Palestinian journalists jailed by Israel," he added.
The Brussels-based IFJ represents around 600,000 journalists in 146 countries worldwide. (end) nk.hb