President of IFJ to ANEM: The massacre of Palestinian journalists must be stopped.

**Written by: Jelena L. Petković**

“Journalists in Gaza are being killed every week,” emphasizes Anthony Bellanger, Secretary General of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). He underscores that “starving the civilian population to weaken and enslave them” is a new method used by Israel in Gaza.

“This is once again a war crime. Journalists, of course, are not spared. One of the coordinators in Khan Younis released a video stating that there is no more flour for making bread. That there is no drinking water and that they have to drink salt water. It is a disgrace,” Bellanger points out.

Journalistic teams are continuously reporting from the most dangerous ground in recent history. The life-threatening danger they are constantly exposed to includes reporting on humanitarian food deliveries and emergency aid, which previously entailed a certain level of security even under wartime conditions.

Journalists are sending reports about people who have been killed when they arrive at food distribution points.

“These distributions orchestrated by Israel are dangerous for everyone, and you are right, we are counting many dead, many families who came simply because they were hungry. It is also dangerous for journalists to report on these distributions because they are also among those who are hungry. One journalist held a banner in Arabic a few weeks ago that read: ‘I am reporting on hunger and I am hungry myself,’” says Bellanger.

When asked how international news organizations support their reporters and staff in Gaza, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Journalists reminds that there are not many international news agencies with correspondents on the ground:

“Those who had dual citizenship sometimes managed to leave the enclave in the first few months. A few weeks ago, AFP tried to evacuate one of its freelancers, but it did not succeed. Israel opposed this.”

Reports from Gaza indicate that all media offices have been shelled, and journalists’ homes are frequent targets.

“Since the beginning of the war, the Israeli Defense Forces have targeted buildings where journalists live, after targeting newsrooms, hospitals, and schools. And this is a war crime. At the IFJ, we believe that these colleagues were killed during their reporting mission simply because there is no longer a place where they can work. Apart from our four solidarity centers for journalists,” Bellanger notes.

Palestinian journalists are the only eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza, while foreign journalists are not allowed entry by Israeli authorities. Israeli officials have indicated that Western journalists may be allowed into Gaza, but only under the supervision of the IDF. Is this even an option for impartial reporting?

“Media reporting changes over time, as after 18 months, media owners have realized that an unprecedented massacre is taking place in Gaza. But it is too late. The damage has been done, and Israeli propaganda has done its job in many languages. They continue to be invited on TV channels to repeat the government line. And journalists too often allow them to speak without challenging them or asking them to prove their claims,” believes Bellanger, adding:

“As for foreign journalists, if they are under the responsibility of the Israeli army, it won’t be of much use. They will only be able to see what the army allows them to see. The last time this happened was with BBC journalists, and the army staged scenes to incriminate Palestinians. It appears that the footage was shot days earlier and did not depict the same scene at all.”

Bellanger believes that “Israel will have to answer for its actions before international courts.” Due to the killing of Palestinian journalists, the International Federation of Journalists filed complaints with comprehensive documentation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) twice in 2022.

“Nothing has progressed. Our two lawsuits from 2022 are still blocked. And for the one we are preparing, we also need significant financial resources to pay for specialized international lawyers.”

Commenting on the fact that only a handful of European governments publicly react to the killing of journalists in Gaza, Bellanger says that “some governments have expressed their horror at these crimes, but these are just statements.”

“No concrete action has been taken. Governments should focus on the United Nations and call for an urgent meeting to demand that Israel explain these heinous crimes. But nothing is happening. Similarly, the IFJ is trying by all possible means for the United Nations to adopt an International Convention on the Protection and Safety of Journalists. But few are willing to make concrete commitments,” concludes our interlocutor.

On the other hand, IFJ members, associations, and journalists' unions worldwide are “horrified and support our actions.”

“I can say that international solidarity is functioning, and that is the purpose of the IFJ. But it is not enough because we see that the needs are enormous.”

Dominique Pradalie, President of the International Federation of Journalists, further emphasizes that the IFJ has organized demonstrations everywhere.

“Recently in Brussels, on August 26, and the next day in Paris, to raise awareness, hearts, and minds for humanitarian goals. We know that this is strongly represented in Serbia. On September 1, more than 200 media outlets on five continents jointly published black front pages or aired alarms in solidarity with Palestinian journalists. The Federation has opened funds for financial assistance at the IFJ level.”

Reminding that over 50 stakeholders met in Brussels yesterday to draft a legal framework for the perpetuation of this fund, Pradalie states:

“Let us honor the dead and help the brave Palestinian journalists. Now.”

**The Need for Support**

There is an urgent need for support, including food and water, for journalists and their families in Gaza so they can continue reporting. Various organizations are seeking ways to provide support but do not know how food aid can be delivered on the ground.

“As for us, thanks to our Palestinian branch (PJS), we have networks for transferring funds, equipment, and sometimes food. But this is extremely complicated. And it doesn’t always work. We always call on our members and humane citizens to send donations to the IFJ Safety Fund. However, it is still not enough.”