Israeli illegal settlers assault 2 journalists during Flag March in Jerusalem

WASHINGTON

Israeli illegal settlers and far-right protesters assaulted two journalists during the Jerusalem Day Flag March, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday.

"Israeli security forces stood idly by while protesters harassed and assaulted Palestinian and Israeli journalists who were reporting on the march," CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna said in a statement.

The statement was released one day after Palestinian journalist Saif Qwasmi and Israeli journalist Nir Hasson were harassed during the annual Jerusalem Day Flag March, which commemorates the June 5 capture of East Jerusalem by Israeli forces in the 1967 War.

Martinez de la Serna condemned the assault and demanded that Israeli authorities investigate the incident, identify the attackers and hold them to account.

US State Department spokesman Mathew Miller said the agency has seen videos of the incident.

"We strongly condemn them. Journalists and media workers are essential to democracy. They should not be attacked anywhere in the world, including in Israel, for doing their jobs," Miller told the reporters.

He said the US expects Israel to uphold its "stated commitment" to human rights and press freedom.

"We expect them to protect journalists from these kinds of assault. If there are violations of criminal law, we expect people to be fully held accountable," he added.

Forty-nine journalists remain in Israeli custody, including four female reporters, according to figures released by the Palestinian Prisoner Society.

At least 147 journalists and media professionals have been killed by Israeli army fire since Oct. 7, official Palestinian figures showed.