Chris Williamson talks about concert pianist Jayson Gillham and how the Zionist lobby targeted the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and had his performances cancelled just for exposing Israel’s anti democratic murderous behaviour.
The message Chris brings is always fight back and never let these “thugs” win.
Acclaimed pianist @jaysongillham has been targeted by the Zionist lobby for speaking out about #Israel murdering journalists in #Palestine. But he's fighting back with a legal challenge. If you can, please donate to his crowdfunding appeal here: https://t.co/IGmMvxqEnK pic.twitter.com/VDtavnrY7N
— Chris Williamson (@DerbyChrisW) October 7, 2024
Double Murder: Truth Tellers and Democracy
The targeting of journalists in conflict zones has always been a grim hallmark of war, and the situation in Gaza is no exception. In recent years, the killing of journalists by Israeli forces has drawn widespread attention, raising serious concerns over press freedom, human rights, and the control of narratives in one of the most protracted and contentious conflicts in modern history. Equally alarming is the coordinated effort by the Zionist lobby to suppress critical voices, ensuring that the stories of those silenced in Gaza remain unheard. These dual forces, the physical silencing of journalists through violence and the intellectual silencing through political pressure, pose an existential threat to free speech and the global struggle for truth.
Journalism, the cornerstone of any free society, thrives on the principle that truth must be pursued regardless of political pressure or danger. In conflict zones like Gaza, journalists take on the additional burden of bearing witness to atrocities that would otherwise go unseen by the outside world. In the case of Gaza, a territory where Israeli military actions often go underreported or misrepresented in mainstream media, the role of journalists is not just essential, it is life-saving. And yet, being a journalist in Gaza is one of the most dangerous professions in the world.
Gaza, a small strip of land along the Mediterranean, has been under a blockade by Israel since 2007, following the electoral victory of Hamas. This blockade has created a humanitarian crisis, limiting the movement of goods, people, and crucially, information. Journalists who venture into Gaza or attempt to report on the ground face not only the immediate dangers of war but also the risk of being deliberately targeted. The systematic killing of journalists by Israeli forces is not an isolated phenomenon but rather part of a larger strategy to control the narrative surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Up until October 7 2023, numerous journalists have been killed in Gaza while performing their professional duties, many of them in circumstances that raise serious questions about the conduct of Israeli forces. One of the most infamous cases is the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, a veteran Al Jazeera correspondent who was shot dead while covering an Israeli military operation in the West Bank in 2022. Despite wearing a clearly marked press vest, Abu Akleh was shot in the head, in what appeared to be a targeted killing. The Israeli government initially attempted to deflect blame, claiming she may have been caught in crossfire, but investigations by multiple independent organisations and media outlets strongly suggest that she was shot by an Israeli soldier. Her death sparked international outrage, but justice remains elusive.
The killing of Abu Akleh is emblematic of a broader trend in which journalists are not collateral damage but are often deliberately targeted for their work. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), more than 20 journalists have been killed in Gaza since 2000, with many more injured or imprisoned. The majority of these journalists are Palestinian, reflecting the disproportionate toll the conflict has taken on local reporters who face the dual challenge of working under occupation and living in a war zone. Their deaths are not just tragic losses of life but also calculated attacks on the very notion of a free press.
The Israeli military justifies its actions by citing security concerns, often claiming that journalists are inadvertently caught in the line of fire or mistaken for combatants. However, the patterns of violence against journalists suggest otherwise. Many of the journalists killed were wearing clearly identifiable press gear and were operating in areas far from active combat zones. In some cases, journalists were targeted while broadcasting live, their deaths captured on camera in real time. These incidents raise serious questions about the Israeli military’s rules of engagement and its commitment to upholding international law, particularly the protections afforded to journalists under the Geneva Conventions.
But the physical targeting of journalists in Gaza is only one part of a larger effort to silence those who seek to expose the realities of Israeli military actions. The Zionist lobby, a powerful and well-organised network of pro-Israel advocacy groups, plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in Western media and political circles. Through a combination of political pressure, media manipulation, and public relations campaigns, these groups work to suppress criticism of Israel and marginalise those who speak out against Israeli policies.
One of the most insidious ways the Zionist lobby exerts its influence is through accusations of antisemitism. While antisemitism is a real and dangerous form of bigotry that must be combated, the Zionist lobby has often weaponised the term to silence legitimate criticism of Israel’s actions. Journalists, academics, and activists who speak out against Israeli policies, particularly regarding the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, are frequently accused of being antisemitic, regardless of the content or intent of their criticism. This tactic has been remarkably effective in chilling debate, as the fear of being labelled antisemitic can have serious professional and personal consequences.
In the United States and the UK, for example, the Zionist lobby has successfully pressured politicians, universities, and media organisations to adopt definitions of antisemitism that blur the line between hate speech and legitimate political critique. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which has been endorsed by numerous governments and institutions, includes examples that equate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. This expansive definition has been used to stifle free speech and silence those who advocate for Palestinian rights. Journalists who report on Israeli war crimes in Gaza, or who highlight the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military, risk being branded as antisemitic and having their careers destroyed.
The case of Marc Lamont Hill, a professor and political commentator, is a striking example of how the Zionist lobby operates to silence dissent. In 2018, Hill was fired from his position as a contributor at CNN after he gave a speech at the United Nations in which he called for “a free Palestine from the river to the sea,” a slogan that has been used by Palestinian liberation movements. Despite the fact that Hill explicitly condemned antisemitism in his speech, he was widely accused of promoting violence against Jews and supporting the destruction of Israel. The Zionist lobby, led by groups such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), mounted a concerted campaign to discredit Hill, leading to his dismissal. His case is just one of many in which individuals who speak out against Israeli policies are targeted for retribution.
In the UK, the example of David Miller, is another explicit example of an attempt at intellectual silencing. However, in David’s case he took the case to court and won.
In the United Kingdom, the influence of the Zionist lobby has been particularly evident in the political sphere. The Labour Party, once a stronghold of pro-Palestinian activism, has been embroiled in a bitter controversy over accusations of antisemitism. Under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, a long-time critic of Israeli policies, the party came under intense scrutiny from pro-Israel groups, who accused Corbyn and his supporters of harbouring antisemitic views. While some instances of antisemitism were genuine and needed to be addressed, many of the accusations were politically motivated and designed to undermine Corbyn’s leadership and his pro-Palestinian stance. The controversy ultimately contributed to Corbyn’s downfall, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Zionist lobby in silencing political opposition to Israel and murdering democracy.
The media itself is not immune to the pressures exerted by the Zionist lobby. In many Western news outlets, coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is heavily skewed in favour of Israel, often portraying the conflict as a struggle between a democratic state and a terrorist organisation. The complexities of the occupation, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the systemic violence faced by Palestinians are frequently downplayed or ignored altogether. Journalists who attempt to provide a more balanced or critical perspective often find themselves marginalised or censored.
This media bias is not accidental but the result of years of concerted efforts by pro-Israel advocacy groups to influence how the conflict is portrayed. Organisations such as CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America) and HonestReporting monitor media coverage of Israel and Palestine, launching campaigns against journalists and news outlets that they deem to be biased against Israel. These groups have been highly effective in shaping the narrative, ensuring that critical voices are drowned out or discredited.
The silencing of journalists and activists through violence, intimidation, and political pressure has serious consequences not only for the individuals targeted but for the broader public as well. When journalists are killed or silenced, the truth becomes the first casualty. In Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis is severe and the situation on the ground is rapidly deteriorating, the world relies on journalists to provide accurate and timely information. Without their reports, the suffering of the Palestinian people remains hidden, and the actions of the Israeli military go unchecked.
Moreover, the suppression of free speech and press freedom sets a dangerous precedent for other conflicts around the world. If the targeting of journalists in Gaza is allowed to continue without consequence, it sends a message to other governments and military forces that they too can silence the press with impunity. The killing of journalists, whether in Gaza or elsewhere, is not just an attack on individuals but an attack on the very principles of democracy and human rights.
The Zionist lobby’s efforts to control the narrative around Israel and Palestine also have far-reaching implications for global politics. By stifling debate and labelling critics as antisemitic, these groups undermine the ability of civil society to hold governments accountable and advocate for change. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most pressing moral issues of our time, and yet, those who speak out for justice and human rights are often vilified or silenced. This not only harms the Palestinian cause but also weakens the global struggle for freedom and equality.
The international community has a responsibility to protect journalists and uphold the principles of free speech. Governments, media organisations, and advocacy groups must stand in solidarity with those who risk their lives to report the truth, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza. This includes holding Israel accountable for its actions and ensuring that those responsible for the targeting of journalists are brought to justice. It also means resisting the efforts of the Zionist lobby to suppress critical voices and maintaining a space for open and honest debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The killing of journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces is a grave violation of international law and human rights, and it is compounded by the efforts of the Zionist lobby to silence those who speak out against it. These twin forces, violence and political pressure, threaten not only the lives of journalists but also the very foundations of free speech and democracy. The world must not turn a blind eye to these injustices. The voices of those silenced in Gaza, and those who seek to expose the truth, must be heard. Only by protecting journalists and safeguarding the right to speak freely can we hope to achieve justice and peace in one of the most troubled regions of the world.
The following is a list of just some journalists who have been killed by Israeli forces, primarily while covering conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, and other areas of Palestine up until 2023. This list is far from exhaustive but highlights some of the most well-known cases:
1. Shireen Abu Akleh (2022)
- Affiliation: Al Jazeera
- Date of Death: May 11, 2022
- Location: Jenin, West Bank
- Details: Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist, was shot dead while covering an Israeli raid in Jenin. She was wearing a press vest and helmet. Multiple independent investigations suggest she was killed by Israeli forces, although Israel initially denied responsibility.
2. Yasser Murtaja (2018)
- Affiliation: Ain Media
- Date of Death: April 7, 2018
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Murtaja was shot by Israeli soldiers while covering the “Great March of Return” protests in Gaza. He was wearing a flak jacket marked “PRESS” and filming when he was shot. He later died from his injuries.
3. Ahmed Abu Hussein (2018)
- Affiliation: Voice of the People Radio
- Date of Death: April 25, 2018
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Abu Hussein was shot by Israeli forces while covering the “Great March of Return” protests. Like Yasser Murtaja, he was wearing a press vest when he was shot. He died from his injuries a few weeks later.
4. Fadel Shana (2008)
- Affiliation: Reuters
- Date of Death: April 16, 2008
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Shana, a cameraman for Reuters, was killed by an Israeli tank shell while filming Israeli military operations in Gaza. His camera captured the tank firing in his direction. He was clearly marked as a journalist.
5. Simone Camilli (2014)
- Affiliation: Associated Press (AP)
- Date of Death: August 13, 2014
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Camilli, an Italian journalist, was killed while covering an operation by Gaza police to disarm unexploded Israeli bombs following the 2014 Gaza War. The bomb exploded, killing Camilli and several others.
6. Mohammed Omar (Hassan) (2006)
- Affiliation: National Information Agency
- Date of Death: June 13, 2006
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Hassan was killed during an Israeli airstrike in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip.
7. Nazeh Darwazeh (2003)
- Affiliation: Associated Press Television News (APTN)
- Date of Death: April 19, 2003
- Location: Nablus, West Bank
- Details: Darwazeh was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier while covering clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus. He was filming at the time, and his colleagues said they were clearly identifiable as journalists.
8. Iyad Hamad (2001)
- Affiliation: Associated Press (AP)
- Date of Death: November 23, 2001
- Location: Bethlehem, West Bank
- Details: Hamad, a cameraman, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers while covering clashes between Palestinian protestors and Israeli forces.
9. Muath Amarneh (2019)
- Affiliation: Freelance photojournalist
- Date of Injury: November 2019
- Location: Surif, West Bank
- Details: Although not killed, Amarneh lost his eye after being shot by Israeli forces while covering protests in the West Bank. This incident drew global attention to the dangers faced by Palestinian journalists.
10. Mazen Dana (2003)
- Affiliation: Reuters
- Date of Death: August 17, 2003
- Location: West Bank
- Details: Although killed in Iraq by U.S. forces, Dana previously faced threats from Israeli forces while covering the West Bank. He was shot by an American tank while covering a story in Baghdad.
11. Hussam Salama (2012)
- Affiliation: Al-Aqsa TV
- Date of Death: November 20, 2012
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Salama and his colleague Mahmoud al-Kumi were killed in an Israeli airstrike while they were in their car, which was marked as a media vehicle, during Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense.
12. Mahmoud al-Kumi (2012)
- Affiliation: Al-Aqsa TV
- Date of Death: November 20, 2012
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Al-Kumi was killed alongside his colleague Hussam Salama when their car, marked as a media vehicle, was targeted in an Israeli airstrike during Operation Pillar of Defense.
13. Rami Rayan (2014)
- Affiliation: Al-Aqsa Network
- Date of Death: July 30, 2014
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Rayan was killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a crowded market in Shuja’iyya, Gaza. He was wearing a vest marked “PRESS” at the time of the attack, which occurred during a declared humanitarian ceasefire during the 2014 Gaza war.
14. Ali Shehda Abu Afash (2014)
- Affiliation: Freelance journalist
- Date of Death: August 13, 2014
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Abu Afash, a Palestinian translator and journalist, was killed along with Simone Camilli when an unexploded Israeli ordnance detonated while they were reporting on the disarmament of bombs following the 2014 Gaza War.
15. Bassel Faraj (2008-2009)
- Affiliation: Algerian TV
- Date of Death: January 6, 2009
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Faraj was critically injured in an Israeli airstrike while covering the war in Gaza. He died a few days later from his injuries. He had been reporting on the Israeli invasion during Operation Cast Lead.
16. Mohammed Abed al-Hamid Abdo (2007)
- Affiliation: Alwan Radio
- Date of Death: May 13, 2007
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Abdo was killed by an Israeli airstrike while he was reporting on clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza. He was in a vehicle at the time of the strike.
17. Khaled Hamad (2014)
- Affiliation: Continue TV
- Date of Death: July 20, 2014
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Hamad was killed during an Israeli military assault in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood. He was filming the conflict when an airstrike hit. Hamad’s body was found with his press vest, camera, and the footage of the attack.
18. Abdullah Murtaja (2014)
- Affiliation: Al-Aqsa TV
- Date of Death: September 3, 2014
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Murtaja was killed during an Israeli airstrike while documenting the aftermath of the war in Gaza. He had survived previous military strikes while working in dangerous conditions during the conflict.
19. Mohammed Saba’na (2002)
- Affiliation: Palestinian News Agency WAFA
- Date of Death: August 2002
- Location: West Bank
- Details: Saba’na was shot dead by Israeli soldiers while covering clashes in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. He was shot despite being clearly marked as a journalist.
20. Issam Tillawi (2002)
- Affiliation: Voice of Palestine Radio
- Date of Death: September 22, 2002
- Location: Ramallah, West Bank
- Details: Tillawi was shot by an Israeli sniper while covering a peaceful protest in Ramallah. He was reporting live on air when he was shot in the head.
21. Nazeh Nazzal (2002)
- Affiliation: Al-Hayat al-Jadida
- Date of Death: December 2002
- Location: Tulkarem, West Bank
- Details: Nazzal was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers while covering clashes in Tulkarem. He was working for a Palestinian newspaper when he was killed, and the circumstances of his death suggest he was deliberately targeted.
22. Rashid Masharawi (2001)
- Affiliation: Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC)
- Date of Death: October 31, 2001
- Location: Ramallah, West Bank
- Details: Masharawi, a cameraman, was killed by Israeli gunfire while covering clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.
23. Mazen al-Tumeizi (2004)
- Affiliation: Al Arabiya
- Date of Death: September 12, 2004
- Location: Baghdad, Iraq (Covering Israeli military activities in the region)
- Details: Although based in Baghdad at the time of his death, al-Tumeizi was a Palestinian journalist killed when U.S. forces attacked a crowd in Baghdad. His work had focused heavily on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
24. Fathi Ghanem (2014)
- Affiliation: Freelance journalist
- Date of Death: July 2014
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Ghanem was killed during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza in the 2014 war. He had been covering the destruction in Gaza, and his death occurred in the context of the ongoing military assault.
25. Alaa Shukrallah (2009)
- Affiliation: Photographer for several Palestinian media outlets
- Date of Death: January 2009
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Shukrallah was killed while photographing Israeli airstrikes during Operation Cast Lead. He was documenting the aftermath of an airstrike when he was fatally wounded.
26. Mahmoud al-Sha’er (2021)
- Affiliation: Freelance journalist
- Date of Death: May 2021
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Al-Sha’er was killed during an Israeli airstrike on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza during the 2021 escalation in violence. He had been covering the intense bombardment of the area.
27. Omar Al-Qasir (2004)
- Affiliation: Freelance photojournalist
- Date of Death: March 2, 2004
- Location: Gaza Strip
- Details: Al-Qasir was killed while covering the destruction in Gaza during a military operation. He was one of many local Palestinian journalists who died while reporting from the frontlines of conflict.
When we have more up to date information of the murder of journalists since 2023, we and other independent media will update.
However, this source is very useful.
These journalists, like many others in conflict zones, were attempting to report the truth under extremely dangerous conditions. Their deaths have sparked ongoing debates about the safety of journalists in conflict zones, the responsibilities of military forces under international law, and the targeting of media professionals in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many of these killings remain unresolved or unpunished, adding to the frustrations of those advocating for press freedom and accountability.
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