Help is urgently needed for the journalists of Gaza
The Israel-Gaza war has taken an unprecedented toll on the journalists of Palestine since October last year.
According to reputable international organisations, at least 126 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military offensive in retaliation to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The mortality rate is more than 10% of the media workforce in Palestine.
Horrific as this death toll is, it is overshadowed by the overall loss of human life in Gaza – estimated at ,more than 42,000.
Those journalists who remain face enormous hurdles in covering the conflict, including the constant risk of more Israeli airstrikes, homelessness, and lack of food, water and other supplies. Even basic tools of the trade like mobile phone chargers and SD cards for cameras are scarce. There are several documented cases of journalists being arrested and tortured by the Israel Defense Forces, and many journalists have also been forced into exile for their own safety and that of their families.
On the United Nations’ International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2, MEAA’s Media Safety & Solidarity Fund has launched a new fundraising appeal for Palestinian media workers as a harsh winter approaches.
Your donations will provide shelter, food and clothing for journalists and their families, along with safety equipment for journalists, as requested by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate.
Like MEAA, the PJS is an affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists.
“Our basic needs are tents for journalists and their families because we are very close to the very cold and rainy winter in Palestine,” says the head of the PJS, Nasser Abu Bakr.
“We need winter clothes for journalists and their families. We need food supplies … we need professional safety equipment for journalists.”
With international media prevented from entering Gaza by the IDF, local journalists are the eyes and ears of the world on the conflict. It is due to their courage under fire that the rest of the world is informed about the humanitarian crisis caused by the war.
Earlier this year, the MSSF raised almost $17,000 from individual donations for basic food provisions and hygiene kits which were distributed by the PJS.
With the conflict escalating and the humanitarian tragedy set to worsen over coming months, we are asking you to dig deep to help the journalists of Gaza.
MEAA is also exploring ways our members can support other creative workers in Gaza who have been impacted by the conflict.
There are several other ways you can make a financial donation. The International Federation of Journalists Safety Fund has raised more than 90,000 euros (almost $150,000) for Palestinian journalists since October last year and is taking donations here.
Your financial support for this campaign is deeply appreciated.
