تكريم صحافيي غزة في أريج 24 في عمان

At the heart of the ARIJ24 conference, amid discussions of investigative journalism and press freedom, stood a wall of haunting portraits — a memorial of over 100 Palestinian journalists killed while reporting from Gaza during the genocide. 

These sketches by Italian artist Gianluca Costantini, vividly capturing smiles that have now been silenced, set the stage for the forum's most striking narrative: the enduring courage of Palestinian journalists in the face of systematic Israeli violence and global indifference. 

Held at the Hilton Dead Sea in December of 2024, the 17th annual ARIJ conference, under the theme “Journalism Unbound,” addressed the intersection of journalistic excellence and human rights advocacy, with Palestine and its reporters standing as the event’s focal point.

The forum brought together 750 in-person participants and 1,800 virtual attendees from over 60 countries. Spanning three days and featuring 130 speakers across 35 sessions, the event was unified by one recurring thread: the resilience of Palestinian journalists. Whether in keynote addresses, breakout discussions, or informal conversations, their experiences served as a testament to the indomitable resolve of journalism under siege.

Palestine was omnipresent — not just as a topic of discussion but as a rallying point for the journalistic community present. A vivid symbol of this solidarity was the visual presence of press vests throughout the venue, adorning pins, lanyards, and interactive exhibits. One particularly moving display was inspired by the “Gaza Project,” a global investigative collaboration by 50 journalists from 13 news organizations, which examined Israel’s targeting and killing of journalists in Gaza and the threats faced by their counterparts in the West Bank since October 7, 2023.

While Israel has denied foreign press access into Gaza, the exhibit brought a tiny fragment of Gaza to attendees, immersing them in the grim reality of life under Israel’s siege. The hum of a drone, relentless and intrusive, filled the air, replicating the ever-present soundscape of Gaza. Through tiny, airplane-window-sized circles, visitors glimpsed Gaza’s beach side, buildings near it still intact — a fleeting snapshot of a reality very distant today. 

 Image courtesy of author.

Nearby, press vests and helmets dangled from the ceiling while a bunch lay tangled in wire and bullets, an orange bag resembling a body bag at the center. The display was punctuated by a wall riddled with bullet holes, a somber reminder of the risks faced by journalists.

Gaza’s press corps: A grim reality

The ARIJ forum brought to light the immense challenges facing Palestinian journalists. During the panel titled “Zero Safety, Maximum Bravery: Aiding Journalists in Gaza,” held on the first day of the forum, Wafa Abdel Rahman, founder of Filastiniyat, shared sobering statistics: 38% of Gaza's journalists have lost safety equipment, 68% have had laptops destroyed, and 56% are without mobile phones.

"The first and most urgent need is to ensure that journalists can continue their coverage, as their equipment and tools have been destroyed or rendered inaccessible,” said Abdel Rahman. Despite initiatives by ARIJ and Media Town to supply essential resources, the aid often fell short in the face of relentless Israeli attacks on both individuals and equipment.

"When [Palestinians in] Gaza talk about disappointment… I also speak of the disappointment [caused] by international organizations,” she added, comparing the support such organizations provided to Gaza’s journalists with that of other conflict zones. “It is disgraceful.” 

Israeli Occupation Forces have killed 203 Palestinian journalists and media workers in Gaza since the genocide began, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. 

"What is happening in Gaza is incomprehensible and unprecedented by all standards,” said Hoda Osman, an executive editor at ARIJ. “None of the wars we’ve witnessed — from World War II to Vietnam to Iraq — have been anything like this.”

Even with their critical reporting, Palestinian journalists must contend with bias from global media. The session “Beyond the Barricade: Challenges Facing Investigations from Palestine,” discussed the persistent need to defend Palestinian narratives.

“We are often forced to prove someone was the 'perfect victim' to counter [Israeli] narratives. Even when a child is killed, questions are raised about their affiliation, as if that could justify their death," said Sara Obeidat, a journalist and producer.

The suppression of Palestinian voices extends to digital platforms. Social media companies, particularly Meta, have been criticized for silencing Palestinian content. Several digital rights organizations, such as 7amleh and Access Now, have released reports documenting incidents of censorship on social media platforms.  

“Without those brave local journalists, the world would not know the truth,” said Irene Khan, a Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights activist, during the opening session of the forum. She noted that while Gaza had long been dangerous for reporters, it has become a “killing field.”

Honoring Palestinian resilience

The forum emphasized the resilience of Palestinian journalists not only through their reporting but also in their unwavering commitment to the truth.

During the opening ceremony, ARIJ launched its inaugural Resilience in Journalism Award, a recognition of extraordinary perseverance in the face of adversity. The honorees for the 2024 ceremony were the Palestinian journalists of Gaza. 

Symbolically accepting the award were several representatives, each embodying the collective bravery of Gaza’s press corps. Among them were Youmna Elsayed, Al Jazeera English’s Gaza correspondent; Ashraf Mashharawi, an acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker; and Shorouk Al-Aila, journalist and widow of martyred journalist Rushdi Al-Sarraj. Photographer Hussein Abu Jaber, father of the martyred child Salma, and journalist Hikmat Yousef, founder of Press House established by the late journalist Bilal Jadallah, also joined to accept the award.

The Resilience in Journalism Award not only recognized their bravery but also sent a message: the work of Palestinian journalists is indispensable.

“Palestinian journalists stand as a powerful example to journalists worldwide, demonstrating the true cornerstone of journalism,” Elsayed said.

“When the world abandons its duty, how can the journalists in Gaza also abandon theirs?” she added. “This is what gives them the strength to stand in front of the camera.”