Arab Journalists Claim Harper’s Bodyguards Assaulted Them

Palestinian Authority journalists accused bodyguards of visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper of assaulting them during coverage of his trip the Church of the nativity in Bethlehem on Monday.

An agreement had been made that the media would follow Harper into the church, according to  the Bethlehem-based Ma'an News Agency.

A cameraman said that the after Harper went inside, the bodyguards blocked the Palestinian Authority journalists, punching one journalists in the face and hitting another with a metal object.

The Palestinian Union of Journalists urged its members to boycott the rest of Harper’s visit.

No confirmation of the alleged assault was reported by any other news outlet.