The FPA condemns the reckless behaviour of the IDF who last night staged a helicopter gunship attack on a building in central Gaza City which houses the offices of several major media organizations. The building is well-known as a centre for the international media. The IDF action shows a callous disregard for the life and security of journalists covering the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

The IDF's actions -- and its explanation that it was targeting a Hamas-linked media office -- seem out of all proportion to the threat which may have been posed.

The FPA calls on the IDF to take all appropriate action to ensure the safety of journalists working in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Response by the Government Press Office We find the Foreign Press Association in Israel's condemnation of the State of Israel puzzling, hypocritical and pretentious.

Puzzling, since if there were no persons present in the building attacked, in what way does the FPA consider this "callous disregard for the life and security of journalists?"?

Hypocritical, because the FPA has repeatedly demanded that the State of Israel not prevent the entry of journalists into Gaza, despite it being an area of conflict and regardless of the obvious dangers to the journalists themselves.

Pretentious, since if members of the press are going to involve themselves in business relations with elements known to have connections with - and in service of - terrorist organizations, one would expect them to also assess the risks involved with such a venture.

Furthermore, while we realize that Israel's considerations may not always be clear to the FPA, the assessment of our security forces as to the proportion of the threat posed was accurate and valid.

Finally, we are rather curious as to whether the FPA will also protest the reckless behavior of the Hamas, whose indiscriminate shelling of Sderot must certainly be endangering the many journalists who are there today.

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