Ramallah: The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has called for an independent international investigation into the killing of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli occupation, seeking accountability for these actions.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Syndicate issued a statement on Friday, coinciding with the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Journalists. This day is globally recognized to honor the challenges faced by Palestinian journalists. The Syndicate emphasized the need for international protection for journalists operating in the occupied Palestinian Territory and urged the immediate entry of foreign media into the Gaza Strip to ensure professional and transparent coverage of ongoing events.
The statement further called for support in documenting violations through relevant international organizations, aiming to bring these issues to international courts and legal bodies. The Syndicate highlighted the importance of activating international pressure mechanisms to end what it described as the targeting of Palestinian journalism, labeling it a severe infringement on the right to knowledge.
The Syndicate pointed out that press freedom in Palestine is currently experiencing one of its most intense periods of repression and systematic targeting by the Israeli occupation. They noted that Palestinian journalists are at the forefront, defending the truth against aggressive actions targeting people, land, and memory. The Syndicate reported the loss of more than 252 journalists since the onset of aggression on Gaza, along with numerous others who have been injured, disappeared, detained, or forcibly displaced due to the destruction of their homes.
Additionally, the statement revealed that over 670 journalists' residences have been completely destroyed since the conflict began, with more than 1,000 journalists forced to flee repeatedly. This, the Syndicate argued, illustrates the systematic targeting of national media.
The Syndicate held the Israeli occupation fully accountable for these acts, categorizing them as war crimes under international law, especially since they target a civilian group protected by the Geneva Conventions. The organization also criticized the silence of some international institutions concerned with press freedom, describing it as complicity, negligence, and indirect involvement in the continuation of these crimes.
Finally, the Syndicate emphasized that Palestinian journalists work in an environment lacking professional and humanitarian protection, continuously facing threats such as killing, detention, persecution, and defamation. Despite these challenges, they remain committed to their mission, driven by the conviction that their people deserve to have their stories truthfully communicated to the world.