A GROUP affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists has accused a website of promoting the assault of journalists by posting a claim that 24 named Palestinians are supporters of terrorism.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) made its claim against the European Institute Against Incitement after it published the list under the heading “top inciters”.
The list, which also includes Britons, Danes and Dutch writers, does not list any purported offences, but gives family details, towns of residence, some phone numbers and social media identities.
In a statement the PJS said it was “deeply concerned” at what the site had published, “especially against well-known journalists and members of the syndicate working for renowned Palestinian, Arab, and foreign media agencies and outlets”.
Three political cartoonists are on the list – Osama Nazzal, Marwa Alhelo, and Mohammad Saba’aneh, a regional representative of the Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI), who has been recognised internationally for his cartoons against terrorism.
Dr Robert Russell, CRNI’s director, said: “We strongly object to the Incitement website’s incorrect characterisation of Palestinian cartoonist Mohammad Saba’aneh as someone who could possibly support terrorist actions.
“His life has been a testament to fairness and well-balanced opinions in his cartoons.
“We further condemn the website’s use of the cartoon journalist’s address, phone number and other information which could prove possibly deadly, the information being used by those who may want to do him harm.
“This is the lowest level of journalism ethics – an absence of journalistic ethics.
“We call on the Incitement website to immediately correct this mischaracterisation and stop providing personal information about its subjects that could encourage terrorist acts.” Saba’aneh is no stranger to controversy and was previously jailed by Israel for five months because of his work.
Last year he marched in Paris for the right of French cartoonists to denigrate Islam or Muslims in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre.
Also last year he was suspended from his job at the al-Hayat al-Jadidah newspaper, after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ordered an investigation into one of his cartoons.
It showed a robed figure sprinkling light over the globe from a heart-shaped pouch and, according to the artist, was meant to convey the “benevolence of Islam” but had been misinterpreted by some.
“The intention was not to represent the prophet,” said Saba’aneh. “My point was to defend religion in the face of attempts to distort it, by using the same means: a caricature.”
Representatives from the newspaper formally apologised for the cartoon, but said it was meant “to defend the role of Islam in spreading the message of love and peace”.
Abbas was quoted by the Palestinian news agency WAFA as demanding “deterrent actions against those responsible” for publishing it.
Saba’aneh responded with a Facebook post: “Despite facing a committee of inquiry, I love this country.”
Saba’aneh is understood to have since returned to work at al-Hayat al-Jadidah, but there are no further details about the inquiry.
Requests for comment from The National to the European Institute Against Incitement were not acknowledged.
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