Moath Amarnih, a Palestinian photojournalist, was partially blinded when Israeli Border Police used live ammunition to disperse protestors at a small demonstration in Hebron last Friday. Photos taken at the scene show he was wearing a blue flak jacket prominently labeled “Press,” and a helmet. Amarnih lost an eye in the shooting, and has been in hospital since.
Amarnih was initially evacuated to a hospital in Hebron, but after pressure from journalists and the Palestinian Authority he is now hospitalized at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he has received dozens of visitors over the past two days, most notably his colleagues who live in East Jerusalem, and his 8 year-old daughter. Conspicuously absent is his wife, who has been refused a permit to enter Jerusalem. Also notable for their absence are representatives from the Israeli authorities: no one has come to offer condolences or an apology; nor has any police investigator come to take a statement.
The incident occurred when police opened fire at a small group of unarmed Palestinian demonstrators who were protesting the confiscation of their land by settlers from Bat Ayin.
