Haaretz photographer beaten by IDF troops on Lebanese border

[Purveyor]

By Assaf Carmel, Haaretz Correspondent

Haaretz photographer Yaron Kaminsky was beaten Tuesday by three Israel Defense Forces officers near the community of Zar'it on the northern border with Lebanon.

The photographer was taking pictures of soldiers who were on their way into the country after fighting ceased in Lebanon.

The officers also confiscated the photographer's equipment. "I arrived at the site at 6:30 A.M. and reserve soldiers who belonged to the battalion I myself served in until a year ago were arriving.

"I hugged and kissed the soldiers, since I know most of them well, and began to photograph. Suddenly, a major leapt out at me and told me, 'Stop shooting!' and began to choke me.

"Shortly thereafter, two more officers joined him - one was a lieutenant colonel and the other a colonel - and they all pushed me, tried to shove me to the floor and take my equipment. Eventually they succeeded," Kaminsky said.

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http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/750876.html

[breakaleg]

1. if this is how they treat the own, it's no wonder they treat the

Lebanese and Palestinians the way they do.

[IntiRaymi]

2. Casualty of Israel's Lebanon excursion:

Israeli civil liberties. The situation has changed, and now a police state will ensue.
I have said it before, and I'll say it again.

[Tom Joad]

3. It will get worse before it gets better. Or maybe it will just get worse.