WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday voiced alarm over an assault by Israeli police officers against a photojournalist for Turkish news agency Anadolu and called for accountability.
The journalist, Mustafa Alkharouf, was hospitalised from his injuries after he tried to take photos of Palestinians praying Friday in annexed east Jerusalem, more than two months into the Israel-Hamas war.
Israel's police force said it immediately suspended the officers involved, saying the decision showed a commitment to accountability and professional standards.
Asked about the incident, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: "We are deeply concerned by the disturbing images of the use of force against a journalist that was depicted in those videos."
"We think it's appropriate that the video be investigated and, if the facts support it, that the people involved be held accountable," he said.
According to the Turkish news agency, officers "first pulled their weapons at Alkharouf, who was covering the news, and then threw him to the ground, beating and kicking him while he was on the ground," and also attacked a camera operator with him.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called the incident part of a "pattern" of attacks by Israeli soldiers and settlers.
"CPJ calls on Israeli authorities to immediately cease attacking journalists, hold accountable those involved in these attacks and provide much-needed protection," program director Carlos Martinez de la Serna said.
Miller, in response to questions, said: "We have not seen any evidence that Israel is targeting journalists."
A strike on October 13 in southern Lebanon killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and wounded six others including two from AFP, one of whom was seriously injured.
An in-depth AFP investigation showed that an Israeli tank shell was fired, and a parallel Reuters investigation also concluded that Israeli tank fire had been used.--AFP