Israeli Journalists, Citing Settlers’ Masquerade, Won’t Cover Them

JERUSALEM —  Israeli journalists said they will refuse to report on Jewish settlers in the occupied territories after some settlers pretended to be correspondents by putting press signs on their vehicles.

Ronnie Shaked, head of Israeli journalists covering the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said Monday that correspondents are in greater danger covering the 15-month-old uprising because Palestinians now doubt the identity of real journalists.

“We simply announced we would no longer cover any activities the settlers initiate which might endanger our personal security,” Shaked told Israel Radio.

Militant settlers traveling in vans bearing press signs clashed several times with Palestinians last week.

“Lately everyone wants to be a journalist. The police disguised as journalists. Now the settlers put up the press signs and in the name of journalism carry out activities no journalist would,” Shaked said.