HUNDREDS OF MEDIA outlets, including The Journal, are calling for protection of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.

In a world first, around 250 media outlets from some 50 countries, alongside journalists and press freedom organisations, are uniting today to demand that Israel abides by its international obligations to protect journalists as civilians.

We are also demanding that the foreign press be granted independent access to the Gaza Strip.

This action was brought together by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the campaigning platform Avaaz.

Why this matters

For 23 months, the Israeli authorities have refused to grant journalists outside of Gaza independent access to the Palestinian territory – a situation that is without precedent in modern warfare.

Local journalists, those best positioned to tell the truth, face displacement and starvation.

To date, at least 220 journalists have been killed by the Israeli military, according to RSF data. Many more have been injured and face constant threats to their lives for doing their jobs.

On the night of 10 August alone, the Israeli army killed six journalists in a targeted strike against Al-Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif. Less than a week ago, on 25 August, the Israeli army killed five journalists in two consecutive strikes.

This is a direct attack on press freedom and the right to information.

In response, media outlets, press freedom organisations and journalists around the world are joining forces today to call for action. 

With the opening of the 80th United Nations General Assembly taking place in eight days, we demand strong action from the international community and call on the United Nations Security Council to stop the Israeli army’s crimes against Palestinian journalists.

Other Irish participating outlets are the Dublin Inquirer and Irish Legal News. The full list of outlets across the world is here.  

The Journal’s Response

At our core, The Journal aims to help our readers make sense of the world.

Our journalists consistently keep you up-to-date with what is happening in Gaza. That is largely possible due to the reporting from our Palestinian colleagues who work for news agencies, including AFP and AP, as that is how we bring you photos, videos and reports on the ground.

Editor of The Journal Sinéad O’Carroll said: “Benjamin Netanyahu’s government does not want the world to see what his army is doing in Gaza. His war on the Palestinian people is also a war on truth.

“We want our colleagues in Gaza to be able to report what is happening to their country safely. We want, with our international colleagues, to be able to travel there and report back to Irish audiences safely. 

“There is already so little international action being take to stop Israel. Hearing and seeing even less about what war crimes are being committed will put Palestinians, already in or at risk of famine, in even more danger.” 

Editor of The Journal Investigates Maria Delaney said: “We cannot stand by and watch more and more of our Palestinian colleagues being targeted and killed for doing their job. Without journalism, there is no accountability.  

“Today, we stand in solidarity with media organisation across the world in demanding interactional action for these atrocities in Gaza.”