Press House holds an important journalistic conference on the violations of media freedoms during the Israeli attack on Gaza

Gaza - Press House

On Saturday, May 22, 2021, Press House- Palestine (BAS) held journalistic conference in both languages, Arabic and English, to present the reality of media freedoms and violations committed by Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian journalists during the attack on the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Abdullah Sharsharh, lawyer and coordinator of legal protection unit for journalists, read the press release in Arabic while Mr. Mohammed Aljaja read the English version.

The release summarized the violations committed against journalists when Israeli occupation forces targeted the journalists and their offices and equipment directly. As a result, one journalist was killed, 9 journalists were injured, 4 journalists were freaked out and moved to hospitals to receive treatment. In addition, the direct bombardment caused completely damage of 25 press institution’s offices representing (%36) of the documented violations. Moreover, the bombardment caused partial damages in offices of other 7 institutions.

The release pointed out that 15 Palestinian journalists’ houses were damaged and 5 journalists’ cars used in media coverage despite the sign the cars hold to make it clear they are used by Palestinian Journalists.

During the attack on Gaza, 4 cyber-attacks committed by Israeli occupation forces were documented. These attacks targeted news websites and radio stations in the Gaza Strip.

The release pointed out that Israeli occupation forces didn’t respect the international humanitarian law which clearly stated that the journalists who are doing dangerous tasks in the armed conflicts are considered civilians and their offices as well. refore, they are protected.

Press House refused the continuation of imposing restrictions on the entry of journalists’ protection equipment by Israeli occupation forces in addition to depriving journalists of accessing health services outside the Gaza Strip which is not acceptable in the light of renewing the attack on Gaza Strip from time to time.

Press House asked the international community to hold its responsibilities in defending journalists’ rights as they are protected civilians. It also asked to form neutralized independent international investigative committee to start the procedures of criminal accountability for violating the principles of international humanitarian law.

Press House also asked the UN institutions for urgent serious action to remove the previous restrictions on the attack which is still continuous. These restrictions are represented in preventing the entrance of journalists’ protection equipment and not allowing the Palestinian and foreign journalists to enter or leave the Gaza Strip. And it focused on the need to begin the international movement to expose the occupation practices towards Palestinian journalists and media professionals.