Media group condemns attack on photographer at Israel protest

An international media body has strongly condemned what it described as a “violent and unprovoked attack” on veteran photographer Menahem Kahana during a protest in Jerusalem.

Kahana, a former photographer with Agence France-Presse, was covering a demonstration outside the Knesset against a controversial death penalty law passed a day earlier. According to the Foreign Press Association, he was struck by a powerful water cannon at close range, which knocked him to the ground and left him hospitalized with injuries to his neck, back, and head.

Images from the scene showed Kahana lying on the ground beside a pool of liquid, reportedly mixed with the water used to disperse protesters. The association criticized the use of force, stating that there was no justification for targeting journalists carrying out their professional duties.

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The group also raised concerns about what it described as a lack of accountability among law enforcement authorities, warning that such incidents contribute to a “climate of impunity.” It called for greater protection of press freedom and adherence to professional standards during crowd control operations.

The protest itself was sparked by a recently passed law that allows the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of certain attacks, a measure that has drawn widespread criticism both domestically and internationally. Demonstrators gathered outside parliament to voice opposition to what many view as discriminatory legislation.

Israeli police have not yet issued a response regarding the incident.

The attack has renewed concerns about the safety of journalists in conflict zones and politically sensitive environments, with media organizations urging authorities to ensure that reporters can work without fear of violence or intimidation.