US' National Press Club urges Israel to restore AP's equipment, live feed into Gaza

The National Press Club, the largest organization for journalists in the US, urged Israel on Tuesday to restore The Associated Press' equipment and live feed in the Gaza Strip.

The organization was "bitterly disappointed" by Israel's move to confiscate broadcast equipment of the AP and shut down the live feed into Gaza, said Club President Emily Wilkins.

"We call on Israel to reverse course on this overly aggressive action and restore the AP's equipment and live feed," she said in a statement.

"There was no strategic reason for these actions, which are part of a pattern of aggression against journalism organizations by Israel," she said. "In particular we call on the Israeli press to emphasize these actions in their coverage so citizens of Israel are fully aware of what their government is doing in their name".

Stating AP's video is the main visual source of news for media worldwide, Wilkins said: "It is the way global television news outlets are able to cover the Gaza. This live feed by the AP is the only remaining live element from Gaza for many broadcasters worldwide. It is vital for coverage of this significant story."

Earlier Tuesday, Israeli officials seized a camera and broadcasting equipment that belongs to The Associated Press in southern Israel. It accused the news organization of violating a new media law by providing images to Al Jazeera.

The Associated Press condemned the seizure as an "abusive use" of Israel's new foreign broadcaster law amid an onslaught launched by Tel Aviv on the besieged Palestinian enclave.