Mike Pence in Israel: Finnish journalist 'faces strip-search ahead of US Vice President event due to Palestinian heritage'

The woman refused the demand and was not permitted to cover the event

Mr Pence told the Israeli parliament the US Embassy would relocate to Jerusalem by the end of 2019 (AP)

A press organisation in Israel has accused the authorities of “ethnic profiling” after a female Finnish journalist whose father is Palestinian, was told she had to undergo a strip search if she wanted to cover an event that was part of the visit of US Vice President Mike Pence.

The Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Israel said the journalist from Finland’s state broadcaster, who is accredited by the government press office, was taken behind a curtain at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, where she said she was questioned, patted down, and then asked to remove her bra for an inspection.

She reportedly refused to do and was prevented from covering the event.

“Unfortunately, this was just the latest instance of journalists being needlessly hassled by Israeli security in what we believe is clear ethnic profiling,” the FPA said in a statement.

“The repugnant practice of strip searching journalists puts Israel in a category all of its own and is a mark of shame for a country that boasts of its democratic credentials.”

The organisation, who represents around 400 journalists working for international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, said it had repeatedly expressed its understanding of “Israel’s unique security needs”.

“But given all of the technology and intelligence at Israel’s fingertips, we fail to see any good reason for the continued humiliation of professional accredited journalists and can only conclude that this only-in-Israel practice is aimed at making people feel unwelcome and keeping them away,” it added.

The alleged incident is said to have taken place as Mr Pence told Israel’s parliament that the US Embassy will move to Jerusalem by the end of 2019, an announcement that earned him a rousing ovation,

The plan to accelerate the move of the embassy, announced in the first address of a sitting American vice president to the Knesset, marked the highlight of Mr Pence’s three-day visit to Israel celebrating President Donald Trump’s decision last month to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“The United States has chosen fact over fiction - and fact is the only true foundation for a just and lasting peace,” said Mr Pence, according to the Associated Press.

“Jerusalem is Israel’s capital and as such President Trump has directed the State Department to immediately begin preparations to move the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.”

Mr Pence’s speech drew an angry denunciation from the Palestinians, with chief negotiator Saeb Erekat saying it “has proven that the U.S. administration is part of the problem rather than the solution”. The Palestinian leadership had boycotted the visit and declined to meet with Mr Pence.

Mr Pence later told the AP he hoped the Palestinians would re-enter negotiations.

“Our message to President [Mahmoud] Abbas and the Palestinian Authority is the door’s open. The door’s open,” he said.

“President Trump is absolutely committed to doing everything the United States can to achieve a peace agreement that brings an end to decades of conflict.”

There was no immediate response from the Israeli authorities.