New York, April 22, 2003—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) sent a letter today to Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon expressing outrage at the death of Nazih Darwazeh, a Palestinian cameraman working with The Associated Press Television Network (APTN), who was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Nablus on Saturday, April 19. [Click here for a copy of the letter.]

"Darwazeh and his colleagues were clearly identified as members of the press," wrote CPJ acting director Joel Simon. "We believe that the [Israeli] army's failure to conduct serious investigations and punish offenders fosters an environment of reckless and unlawful behavior in which soldiers who harm journalists face little or no consequences. We demand an immediate and thorough inquiry ... and call on [Prime Minister Sharon] to ensure that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice."