A Palestinian photographer shot in the eye by Israeli forces has been barred from obtaining specialized treatment in East Jerusalem, reports AFP.
Nidal Shtayyeh was covering a demonstration at Huwarra checkpoint while on assignment with the Chinese news agency Xinhua when he was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet.
Shtayyeh insists the attack was unprovoked. "The march was peaceful and no stones were thrown, no photographers were taking any pictures," he told AFP.
"I raised my camera to my right eye to take a picture, but a soldier shot me in my left eye with his rifle, and the rubber bullet went through my gas mask's glass eye cover and into my eye."
After seeking emergency treatment in Nablus, Shtayyeh was referred to a specialist in East Jerusalem.
In order to access the city, Shtayyeh applied for several permissions to cross the border, all of which were rejected by Israel.
