International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, August 27, 2002

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, the official union of Palestinian journalists, has forbidden journalists from taking pictures of Palestinian children carrying weapons or masked men, claiming that these hurt the Palestinian cause.

Children carrying weapons or dressed as suicide bombers have been frequently seen at Palestinian marches.

Tawfik Abu Khousa, deputy chairman of the syndicate, said such pictures harmed the image of the Palestinian people and the credibility of Palestinian journalists.

"We have decided to forbid taking any footage of armed children, because we consider that as a clear violation of the rights of children and for negative effects these pictures have on the Palestinian people," he said.

The directive extends to all Palestinian journalists, including the many who work for foreign news agencies. It requires Palestinians employed by foreign news media to make sure that foreign photographers follow the ban. Free-lancers were also expected to abide by the order.

Journalists who failed to adhere to the ban would face disciplinary procedures, the statement said without elaborating. Previously, Palestinian journalists who ran afoul of the authorities had their credentials lifted, limiting their access to official events.

The Foreign Press Association, representing news media working in Israel and the territories, called on the organization to withdraw the order. Palestinian Authority officials had no immediate comment.

Foreign news agencies have typically made extensive use of Palestinian photographers for work in the territories. These photographers have reported the use of threats by PA officials and security officers in the past to prevent them from taking unfavorable pictures.

Journalists were also banned from photographing masked men.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate also called on Palestinian factions and their military wings to stop using children in their activities.