Kuwaiti newspaper fined over pro-Israel advert

The fine was slapped on Al-Watan Daily for allowing the printing of the advertisement in the International Herald Tribune.

KWUAIT CITY, February 15, 2010 (AFP) - A Kuwaiti newspaper was fined 3,000 dinars (10,400 dollars) for printing a pro-Israeli advertisement justifying the Jewish state's war on Gaza, Al-Jarida newspaper reported on Monday.

The fine was slapped on Al-Watan Daily for allowing the printing of the advertisement in the International Herald Tribune, which it prints and distributes locally in the Gulf emirate.

The advertisement was sponsored by the US-based Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL) during the 22-day Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip that was launched on December 27, 2008.

Al-Watan's lawyer, Rashid al-Radaan, told AFP that he has challenged the verdict at the appeals court, saying that the newspaper did not deliberately allow the printing of the advertisement.

"The printing of this advert was not done on purpose," he said, adding that the IHT goes directly to the press without being checked by Al-Watan.

Three Kuwaiti lawyers sued Al-Watan Daily although the paper had issued an apology to its readers for running the advertisement.

About 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed during the Gaza offensive.