October 15, 1999
Maj. Gen. Yaacov Orr
Coordinator of Government Activities in the West Bank and Gaza
Tel Aviv, Israel
FAX: 972-3-697-6306
Dear Gen. Orr:
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to express concern about the case of Kawthar Salam, a veteran reporter for the Palestinian daily Al-Hayat al-Jadeeda,who has apparently been denied permission to work in Israeli-controlled territories.
According to our information, the Israeli Civil Coordinating Committee in Hebron refused to renew Ms. Salam’s travel permit this week. As you know, travel permits are essential for Palestinian journalists to enter Israel and areas under Israeli control in the occupied territories. Ms. Salam has been in possession of a travel permit for nearly eight years, making her one of the few Palestinian journalists to have regular access to Israel and Israeli-controlled areas.
We understand that the apparent justification for refusing Ms. Salam a travel permit is her recent reporting on the alleged failure of Israeli authorities to implement decisions by the Israeli High Court to allow for the unification of Palestinian families in Hebron. The refusal is also thought to have been prompted by articles that she published about allegedly improper activities of Israeli liaison officers responsible for approving residency permits in Hebron.
As a non-governmental organization of journalists dedicated to defending our colleagues’ rights throughout the world, CPJ fears that Ms. Salam is being punished for carrying out her professional duty as a journalist. We kindly request that you clarify the Israeli authorities’ justification for the apparent refusal to renew her travel permit. We ask that you help resolve this matter as soon as possible so that Ms. Salam may continue her journalistic work without undue official restrictions in areas under Israeli control.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to a reply at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director
Join CPJ in Protesting Attacks on the Press in Palestine
Send a letter to:
Maj. Gen. Yaacov Orr
Coordinator of Government Activities in the West Bank and Gaza
Tel Aviv, Israel
FAX: 972-3-697-6306