Forgive Us Our Press Passes

By Laurence Zuckerman

Journalists who cover the world's hot spots traditionally enjoy a measure of immunity shared only by diplomats and representatives of the International Red Cross. Recognized as impartial observers by most combatants, reporters often venture into battle zones with hand-lettered signs attached to their cars identifying them as PRESS or TV. If their delicate neutrality is compromised in any way, the system breaks down and the danger increases. This, unfortunately, is what is happening in the Israeli-occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza.

During the 16 months since the Palestinian uprising erupted in the occupied territories, international news organizations have suspected Israeli security agents of posing as foreign journalists in order to penetrate Arab villages. The government denied the charges. Last March, however, a British TV crew videotaped two Israeli agents disguised as journalists as they subdued a Palestinian woman.

The story created a furor in Israel and markedly increased the hostility toward foreign journalists in the West Bank. After leaving one village last month, Baltimore Sun reporter Robert Ruby was pelted with rocks. To identify themselves as bona fide journalists, some foreign correspondents began ! carrying press cards issued by the Jerusalem-based Arab Journalists Association. "I have to help journalists get the truth and protect them from getting into trouble," says A.J.A. director Radwan Abu-Ayyash.

But the innocuous-looking press cards, which bear the holder's name, nationality, news organization and passport number in both English and Arabic, may turn out to be the cause of even more trouble. Last week Israel's Police Minister announced that he was launching an investigation to determine whether the A.J.A. had the right to issue the credentials. At the same time, outraged members of Israel's Parliament demanded that the government withdraw the Israeli credentials of journalists who hold the Arab cards, or even expel them from the country.

"Newsmen working in Italy, England or Germany would not contemplate taking press cards from the Red Brigades, I.R.A. or the Baader-Meinhof," says Yoram Ettinger, director of Israel's Government Press Office.

The A.J.A. is hardly a terrorist organization, and the Israeli government has never classified it as such. Still, Ettinger and other officials see the cards as part of an attempt by the leaders of the uprising to adopt the trappings of an independent state. Foreign journalists counter that the cards have no political meaning and that they carry them only because their Israeli credentials are no longer credible. "Given the dangers my staff faces," says Reuters chief correspondent Paul Taylor, "I owe it to them to do what I can for their security."

Yet, like any press credential, the cards also pose a potential threat to press freedom: if their use becomes required, they could become de facto licenses that would give the A.J.A. the power to determine who can report in the occupied territories. Until some foreign reporters complained recently, Israeli citizens working for overseas news organizations were not eligible for the A.J.A. card. Local Israeli reporters are still barred.

Such discrimination may be what prompted the Police Ministry to launch its investigation. So far, however, two-thirds of Israel's more than 300 resident foreign correspondents have not bothered to obtain the card and continue to use credentials issued by their own news organizations and the Israeli government. Should use of the A.J.A. card become widespread, the Israeli government will have only itself to blame.

With reporting by Robert Slater/Jerusalem