“CDFJ” calls for the formation of an international alliance to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for its crimes against journalists
Monday, 8/1/2024
Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) condemns the ongoing Israeli occupation’s killing of journalists in Palestine, describing the deliberate and systematic targeting as an unprecedented massacre in history.
In a statement, CDFJ added, “Hamza, the son of colleague Wael Duhduh, who was killed along with several members of his family during the aggression on Gaza, has joint the list of martyrs. He was personally injured when Israeli forces intentionally targeted his colleague Samer Abu Daqqa, leaving him bleeding. All attempts by the Red Crescent and civil defense to rescue him were thwarted until he became a martyr.”
CDFJ emphasized that journalists, who fall victims to genocide, are not just numbers; each of them has a family and a story worth telling. Their continued coverage despite the crimes committed against them is evidence of their courage and sacrifice. History will remember what Palestinian journalists did to reveal the truth and expose the crimes of the Israeli occupation.
CDFJ pointed out that the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate has documented, since October 7th until now, in Gaza and the West Bank, the martyrdom of 106 journalists, with 71 others injured. Additionally, 113 journalists have been physically assaulted, 38 cases of arrest, 314 cases of detention and prevention from coverage, 91 cases of invasion and destruction of journalists’ homes, and 80 cases of invasion and destruction of media institutions.
CDFJ reiterated its call for the International Criminal Court to take action against the Israeli occupation for committing war crimes by killing journalists in Palestine. It called for the formation of an international alliance of media freedom advocacy organizations to continue filing complaints until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
CDFJ also echoed the call of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, to establish an independent investigative committee into the crimes committed against journalists and civilians.