"Israeli" censors block report on war crimes

Source: Daily Star, 19-02-2009
BEIRUT: A media watchdog on Wednesday joined a growing list of groups accusing "Israel" of committing war crimes during its recent offensive against the Gaza Strip, pointing to an article in the "Israeli" press documenting violations that was quickly pulled by "Israel's" government censors.
On January 11, 2009, the English-language website of "Israel's" Haaretz newspaper published an article by Amira Hass, entitled "Gaza residents: "Israeli" Military troops posing as Hamas men." The article was removed from the website hours after publication.
Haaretz told Arab Media Watch (AMW) via email that the reason for its removal was that "the ['Israeli' military] censor had not cleared it for publication."
There was no indication that the article's accuracy was in doubt.
AMW asked the newspaper how many, and what other articles had been censored during the Gaza conflict, but did not receive a reply.
"The accusation that 'Israeli' forces wore the uniforms and symbols of Hamas' Iz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades during the ground invasion of Gaza has serious implications, not only where international law is concerned, but also with regard to the veracity of claims made by 'Israel' about Hamas tactics and alleged abuses," said AMW chairman Sharif Hikmat Nashashibi.
"Just as serious, if not more so, is the attempt by the 'Israeli' Military Forces to cover up this important story by one of 'Israel's' most distinguished journalists," added Nashashibi. The "Israeli" military "seems clearly aware of the implications of such an article going public - this from a country that claims to uphold press freedoms."
AMW also urged the media to pursue and investigate this story, with the "Israeli" military, Haaretz, and relevant sources in Gaza.