As the Israel-Palestine conflict rages, scorched patches of ground, charred vehicles, dead bodies, and destroyed houses have become familiar scenes in the war-torn area. Journalists providing on-ground coverage also witness the situation and provide updates to their viewers. However, sometimes, these situations can cause mental and emotional turmoil to them. Recently, a video of a journalist breaking down while describing the situation from Central Gaza went viral on the internet. She was referring to the fact that Israel has been bombarding the area with air strikes and killing many people.
“It’s not easy to keep your composure when you see bodies, children’s heads cut off in different locations,” i24 News reporter Nicole Zedek said while on air. “I’m talking to Palestinians who say that the death toll keeps growing every day, and they are feeling a sense of despair and desperation, not just because of this war but because of what they have seen on television and heard from other media sources.”
Journalists, who are often present in these areas during the conflict, become a witness to the situation and also serve as a link between the government and the civilian population. They often face many challenges while reporting from the region as they are subjected to various restrictions and sometimes even attacked by armed militias.
This can be the case, mainly when they are covering some of the most crucial events, such as the Israeli military campaign against Hamas. A few journalists have even made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their purpose.
During the event, a panel of journalists discussed how they struggled to report on the Israel-Palestine conflict. They spoke about the challenges and how important it is for them to have freedom, opportunity, and safety while reporting from the region. They also mentioned how their work has a positive impact on humanity.
Another panelist, Yair Anghlé, was critical of the Israeli media and its portrayal of Palestinians. He said Israeli journalists liked to polarize the world to justify their occupation and make Israelis believe that they were the chosen people and that international law did not apply to them. He added that he was not against peace but wanted both sides to be treated equally.
JOAO GENESIO DE ALMEIDA FILHO (Brazil) called for an immediate halt to settlement expansion and other unilateral measures that systematically eroded the possibility of a contiguous, independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian State. He stressed that there were serious violations of international law and a growing sense of impunity. He also urged both parties to refrain from any action that would change the status quo in Jerusalem and called on States to promote a culture of peaceful coexistence and religious freedom. He also urged all parties to protect civilians in times of conflict. He commended the efforts of UN agencies on the ground, including those working to facilitate the ceasefire.