Catalan journalists reject the systematic murder of reporters in Palestine

Barcelona"At least 238 journalists killed in Gaza." This was the slogan of the demonstration that brought together more than 2,000 people in Plaça Sant Jaume this Wednesday, many of them journalists. And it's a very eloquent "at least," because it highlights the falling cost of living in Palestine and the impossibility of being certain how many journalists have died since October 2023 due to Israel's response to the Hamas attacks of October 7, a figure that already exceeds that of the two wars. Those gathered defied the heat to demand an end to the war, with slogans such as "It's not a war, it's a genocide" and "Israel kills, Europe sponsors."

With this demonstration, open to everyone, the journalistic profession wanted to express its rejection of this unequivocal and systematic tactic of keeping Palestine in the dark from the eyes of the world so that it cannot report on the developments of the conflict. "Israel seeks to silence any voice that exposes the reality of this bloody genocide or refutes its official narrative," stated the manifesto read during the event. "That is why, from the beginning, it has denied access to an independent foreign press and has threatened and exterminated Palestinian colleagues who have dared to report from the ground."

The protest follows the murder this week of a group of Al Jazeera journalists, killed in a targeted attack. Among them was one of the channel's star correspondents, Anas al-Sharif, whom Israel accuses of being an active terrorist, without any evidence they have been able to provide (two years before the start of the current phase of the conflict).

The manifesto also called for guaranteeing the safety of professionals reporting from Gaza, "ensuring unconditional entry of the international press and ending the restrictions imposed by Israel that violate the right to information," as well as "the immediate opening of the Gaza border crossings for the mass entry of food, materials, water, and urgent assistance for the sick and wounded." Regarding the Catalan and international media, it demanded that "the systematic murder of journalists" in Palestine be condemned. Regarding the demands made to the Spanish government and the European Union, they included "enforcing the total arms embargo on Israel" and "immediately suspending their ties with the State of Israel, their military, strategic, political, diplomatic, and economic relations until the genocide is stopped."

Among those who joined the call were numerous media outlets represented, either directly or indirectly, as in the case of ARA, 3Cat, Eldiario.es, Nation, Ctxt, Public, The Direct, Betevé, The Triangle, The World, Critical, Segre and Radio Desvern, among many others; or through company and professional committees, such as those ofThe Newspaper, The Vanguard, RAC105, TVE, ACN, RNE, The Punt Avui, La Red, and the Efe news agency. The list also included the main unions (CCOO, CGT, SPC, UGT, Intersindical, and UPIFC) and the main professional organizations in the sector, such as the College of Journalists of Catalonia, the Information Council, the Ciutadella Collective, the Catalan Regional Press Association, and the Ramon Barnils Journalists Group.

"Our colleagues in Gaza must work under hunger and bombing," the manifesto continued. "We have seen them break down during live broadcasts, faint from hunger, mourn their parents and children killed by the Israeli army. They continue to report in impossible conditions, without water or electricity, with a poor internet connection, without gasoline, and watching as vest with vest press "It doesn't protect them, but on the contrary, it makes them and their families a target. Their commitment is a lesson for us all."

The event closed with words from Natalia Abu-Sharar, president of the Palestinian Community of Catalonia, and some words sent from Palestine by Abu Salim, a reporter with the journalists' union in Gaza, who was at the fun. "I imagine myself in her place and thinking about whether I should give up journalism to avoid Israeli missiles. But if we all do this, who will tell the truth? This is not a war just against journalists, it's a war against everyone. Please put pressure on Israel to stop this genocide," he explained.

International reactions

The recent murders of journalists have also sparked a wave of condemnation in numerous international media outlets. Guardian, in its editorial, denounced the case and stated: "Targeting journalists directly is a war crime. An assault not only on the individual, but on truth itself. And yet, doing so will not cover up Israel's other atrocities. Rather, it will add to the list of charges against its leaders." The newspaper also included an article by Asef Hamidi, news director of Al Jazeera, in which he stated: "The systematic targeting and elimination of journalists is not just a local or regional tragedy. It saves those who risk everything to shed light on the realities of war."