Media association condemns ‘violent assault’ on CNN crew by Israeli soldiers | Israel
An international media association has condemned what it described as a “violent attack” by Israeli soldiers who detained a CNN crew in the occupied West Bank this week.
A CNN crew was detained by Israeli soldiers on Thursday following an attack by Israeli settlers and the establishment of an illegal outpost near the Palestinian village of Tayasir, the Foreign Press Association said on Saturday.
Even after the journalists identified themselves, FPA said, “The soldiers aggressively targeted the crew and the Palestinian civilians present by pointing their rifles at them.”
“Soldiers repeatedly attempted to violate the CNN crew’s filming rights, ordering the crew to stop filming and threatening to confiscate the camera.
“An IDF soldier then approached CNN’s photojournalist from behind, strangled him, slammed him to the ground and damaged his camera,” the association, which represents hundreds of journalists in Israel and Palestine, said.
CNN confirmed the details in its own report on the incident and identified the photojournalist as Cyril Theophilos.
Calling for an investigation into the incident, the FPA said: “This was not a misunderstanding… It was a violent attack on clearly identified journalists and a direct attack on press freedom.
“The use of force was excessive and dangerous. Pointing a rifle at journalists and civilians, physically attacking a cameraman, and detaining a team are actions that exceed every limit.
“Such behavior reflects a deeply worrying pattern of hostility towards the media and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.”
The army said the incident would be investigated.
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani wrote about X: “The soldiers’ behavior and statements in this incident are not representative of the IDF, are contrary to what is expected of IDF soldiers, and will be investigated.”
He added: “I have apologized privately and I will say it again; this should not have happened. Our job is to maintain law and order, which includes allowing freedom of the press.”
The incident is the second involving CNN this month.
Days earlier, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a CNN producer suffered a broken wrist after an “unprovoked attack” by Israeli police officers.
This incident occurred while journalists were documenting worshipers outside the walls of the Old City in East Jerusalem.
Violence in the West Bank continued unabated even after the ceasefire declared in Gaza in October 2025, and there has been a new wave of deadly attacks by Israeli settlers since the outbreak of the current war in the Middle East.
