Journalists threatened during Naomi Campbell's Bethlehem visit

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, has condemned the Palestinian Authority's (PA) heavy-handed treatment of reporters on Tuesday, covering a supermodel's visit to Bethlehem. The PA's official Palestine TV, recorded an exclusive interview with Naomi Campbell at a restaurant outside the Church of the Nativity, but other reporters weren't allowed to photograph her. Security guards accompanying the model, had harassed, even threatening to break their cameras if they got near, according to the syndicate, which said its members were "furious." The syndicate, which has protested a series of journalists arrests in recent weeks, stated that the Palestinian leadership has expressed its commitment to free speech "on more than one occasion," while they are nevertheless routinely subjected to restrictions on their work. The journalist Eyad al-Maghrabi urged the Syndicate to take firmer action towards this case. "We have supported the Syndicate before in many cases, but now this syndicates ignores us when we are exposed to violations", Maghrabi said. The journalist Moussa al-Shaer, called on the Palestinian authority to hold investigations on the case, saying that it unacceptable to treat journalists in such a way. He also questioned the reason behind their conduct, especially as Campbell was interviewed by the Palestinian official television station.