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Journalists worldwide join in solidarity with colleagues in Gaza
NEWSROOMS worldwide observed a minute's silence for fallen colleagues in Gaza to mark an international day of solidarity called by the International Federation of Journalists for Monday 26 February. We know of the day being marked in Paris, Lima, Istanbul, Dublin, Doha, Stockholm, Santiago de Compostela and Cyprus.
There was a vigil at Media City in Salford, supported by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine.
In Salford
In London, there was an event in Committee Room 14 at the House of Commons. John McDonnell MP wrote: "Today we heard from Palestinian journalists. 120 have been killed in Gaza. More in one country than in any other conflict since Second World War. They have lost families as well. Ahmed Alnaouq has lost 23 family members. We must ensure IDF is held to account for this war crime." Writer Taj Ali posted video clips.
A vigil was held outside the BBC Radio Lancashire offices in Blackburn on Wednesday 28 February.
Also on 28 February, 55 US- and UK-based foreign correspondents issued a call for independent overseas journalists to be allowed into Gaza - not just a select few under the control of the Israeli armed forces.
2 March 2024
On 1 March a second open letter - from media organisations - was published. Co-ordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists, at the time of writing it had been signed by 59 publishers and broadcasters, including Aluf Benn, Editor in Chief of Haaretz in Israel.
The bosses' letter is more trenchant than the foreign correspondents'. It opens:
We, the undersigned, stand united with Palestinian journalists in their call for safety, protection, and the freedom to report.
It concludes:
Journalists are civilians and Israeli authorities must protect journalists as noncombatants according to international law. Those responsible for any violations of that longstanding protection should be held accountable. Attacks on journalists are also attacks on truth. We commit to championing the safety of journalists in Gaza, which is fundamental for the protection of press freedom everywhere.
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