Cairo (UNA/WAFA) – The Arab League condemned the Israeli occupation authorities’ continued restrictions on the performance of the Palestinian media in all its components and their disregard for the provisions of international humanitarian law.
The Assistant Secretary-General for Media Affairs at the Arab League, Ambassador Ahmed Khattabi, said in a statement on Sunday, on the occasion of the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian Media,” that this day is not merely a symbolic commemoration, but rather a renewed call to the international community to provide support and assistance to the Palestinian media in light of the flagrant violations and grave transgressions of the Israeli occupation authorities against press freedoms, which reached their peak in the aggressive war on the Gaza Strip, targeting journalists who carry out their duties in dangerous humanitarian conditions and harsh living conditions, like other defenseless civilians, due to the continued bombing, siege, and starvation.
My speech affirmed the General Secretariat's full solidarity with the Palestinian media as this war on the Gaza Strip and all the occupied Palestinian territories continues. He pointed out that more than 212 journalists have been martyred, in addition to at least 400 journalists and media professionals being injured, making the Gaza Strip the most dangerous area in the world for journalism.
The Assistant Secretary-General said that the Arab League commemorates this day, which was adopted pursuant to Resolution No. 508 of the Council of Arab Information Ministers dated September 22, 2022, especially since Article 79 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions stipulates the protection of journalists and ensuring their safety during armed conflicts. He stressed the need to activate this protection and tighten its controls in line with recognized professional and ethical standards and the contents of international conventions, starting with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
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