Palestinian Journalists Rally for International Protection Two Years After War

SadaNews - On the second anniversary of the war on the Gaza Strip, which left widespread devastation, the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate organized a vigil in Ramallah, in front of the United Nations headquarters, with the participation of journalists and representatives from media and syndical institutions. Symbolic coffins were raised bearing images of journalists who were martyred while performing their professional duties, in a scene that embodies the degree of danger facing Palestinian media on the ground.

Nasser Abu Bakr, the head of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, told SadaNews in an interview that journalists in Palestine are facing a systematic war targeting their lives, institutions, and tools of work.
He added: "Today, we are in front of the United Nations headquarters to tell the world that journalism in Palestine is being exterminated, and we delivered a message to the representative of the UN Secretary-General in Palestine demanding clear decisions to stop the war against Palestinians, especially journalists, and to conduct an immediate investigation into the crimes committed against journalists."

Abu Bakr confirmed that the syndicate has documented hundreds of violations against journalists since the beginning of the war, including direct killings, arrests, banning coverage, and targeting journalistic crews during their fieldwork.
During the vigil, the syndicate called on the United Nations to provide international protection for Palestinian journalists and to preserve press freedom from violations.

Journalist Ibrahim Rantisi spoke to SadaNews about the daily challenges faced by Palestinian journalists, saying: "We stand here to show solidarity with a part of us; the journalists in Gaza are part of a larger group of journalists across Palestine, and they work under tragic conditions in the Strip," adding, "Sometimes we imagine ourselves covering under the circumstances they live in, to realize that they are playing a great role that no journalist in the world can undertake."

Rantisi pointed out the harassment faced by journalists in the West Bank, such as restrictions on filming and coverage, arrests, and even threats.

For his part, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, confirmed to SadaNews that journalists play a national and humanitarian role that should not be overlooked when they are targeted, emphasizing that journalistic and medical personnel are those who deserve recognition and a Nobel Prize for their efforts in impossible conditions.

He called for urgent international action to provide an effective protection mechanism for journalists, similar to what is provided in other conflict areas around the world.

The vigil came under the slogan "Stop the Media Extermination," embodying the unity of the Palestinian media stance in the face of attempts to obscure the truth and the insistence of journalists to continue their message despite all threats and dangers.