RAMALLAH, March 16, 2011 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) and the Foreign Press Association in Israel (FPA) Wednesday condemned crackdown by Hamas militias on reporters covering Tuesday’s anti-division demonstrations.

Separate statements by the two bodies condemned the assault on journalists and television crews covering the crackdown on protestors at al-Katiba square in Gaza City.

“The PJS takes very seriously these unjustified assaults particularly as journalists were doing their work,” it said in a statement. “These assaults violate freedom of the press guaranteed in the Palestinian law.”

The Foreign Press Association also condemned in a statement the assault on journalists in Gaza.

The FPA “is gravely concerned by Hamas’ crackdown on the media during demonstrations in Gaza City on Tuesday,” it said the statement.

“On a day ostensibly devoted to Palestinian unity, police brutally attacked photographers and cameramen, beating them, breaking equipment and confiscating photos and video footage. This is the latest in a string of chilling attacks on reporters in Gaza,” it said.

The FPA called on the Hamas authorities in Gaza “to respect the basic right of freedom of the press and to let all journalists do their jobs freely and safely.”

M.A.