The issue was in the spotlight at U.N. headquarters Monday during a forum focused on the dangers and complexities of reporting from the occupied Palestinian territory.
The conversation “could not be more timely, nor more necessary,” said Melissa Fleming, head of the Department of Global Communications (DGC) who organized the 2025 United Nations International Media Seminar on Middle East Peace.
“This seminar invites us to reflect on how journalism in Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, has become both a battleground and a lifeline,” she said.
“Unacceptable ban” on the foreign press, according to Guterres
Mrs. Fleming read a message of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres who said “journalists in Gaza face the same risks and realities as the people they cover – including displacement, starvation and death.”
Furthermore, the rules of war are clear: civilians and civilian infrastructure are not a target, and journalists must be able to carry out their essential work without interference, intimidation or harm.
“This includes the unacceptable ban preventing international journalists from accessing Gaza,” he said.
Fulfill their duty
Following the deadly attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, Gaza was subjected to a complete siege.
Wael Al-Dahdouh, head of the Gaza bureau of the Al Jazeera network, recalled that the enclave was isolated and that the supply of water, electricity, communications and internet was cut.
Nevertheless, journalists continued to work despite bombings, deprivation, personal loss and displacement.
“We felt so much responsibility towards you, towards the whole world,” he said in a video message.
“Because we realized that if we do not fulfill our duty with our will, even if it costs us our lives, the world will not see what is happening to two million people in this region as a result of the Israeli genocide. »
Putting pressure on Israel (Mansour)
The Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine, Riyad Mansour, praised “the courageous Palestinian journalists in Gaza” because “thanks to them, this genocide in Gaza has become the most documented in history”.
He called on participants to pressure Israel to allow entry to foreign journalists.
“We should ask ourselves why Israel does not allow foreign aid to Gaza. Do not accept their security excuse. Foreign journalists were allowed in all war zones except Gaza,” he said.
Protection, access and accountability
Jodie Ginsberg, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), stressed the need for protection and independent access to Gaza, as well as accountability.
She stressed that “allowing international access to Gaza is not a consequence for Palestinian journalists” but “a standard that we should insist on and support for these Palestinian journalists.”
Relatives also targeted
Nasser Abu Bakr, president of the Palestinian Journalists’ Union, reported that more than 255 journalists have been killed in Gaza, representing 18 percent of the total number of journalists in the strip.
More than 500 people were injured and Israel arrested more than 200 others who were subjected to extreme torture in prison. In addition, relatives of journalists have also been killed or targeted.
He said the union and the International Union of Journalists are ready to cooperate with the Secretary-General by submitting a report detailing the systemic crimes perpetrated against journalists in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Furthermore, the time has come to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2222 (2015)) which condemns impunity for crimes against journalists.
“We want this resolution to be implemented on the occupation, and for the people of the state of occupation to be held accountable for these crimes against our journalists,” he said in a video message.
Journalism is vital for peace
The Secretary-General’s message confirmed the UN’s unwavering commitment to a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, and the work of journalists is essential to building the informed global consensus necessary to achieve this goal.
The UN chief expressed hope that the dialogue “will strengthen respect for press freedom and the protection and safety of journalists in the Middle East” and help lay the foundations for a just and lasting peace.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
