BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
A coalition of African journalists under the banner of African Journalists Against Genocide (AJAG), has added their voice condemning Israel’s intentional and deliberate targeting of their Palestinian colleagues in Gaza.
Founded by Nigerian broadcast journalist, Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, AJAG brings together journalists and media personnel from over 20 Africa countries.
In a statement, AJAG said since the Israeli government and its military declared its genocidal intent against the people of Gaza, over 250 journalists have been killed in Gaza – the deadliest period for journalists in the 21st century.
“Israel has prevented almost all international journalists from entering the area and covering the catastrophic humanitarian situation there. “Therefore, the world has had to rely on the courage and tenacity of Palestinian journalists based in Gaza.
“The deliberate targeting of these journalists indicates the Israeli state’s clear strategy of suppressing the truth and silencing media. “Without their voices, their eyes, their determination to inform, report and document the atrocities on the ground, the world would be blind to the full scale of Israel’s genocidal campaign against a besieged population,” reads the statement.
“We believe that our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza are being punished for simply telling the world the truth.
“As Africans we know too well the ugly face of colonialism, occupation and apartheid.
“We call on the international community to apply sanctions and treat Israel as it once treated apartheid South Africa.
“We demand accountability and justice for our Palestinian colleagues.
“Journalism is the lifeblood of truth. It echoes the voice of the people, holds government to account, and interrogate the actions and policies that shapes the lives of citizens.”
The journalists added that reporting on the war crimes of the Israeli military and state is not a crime; while killing of journalists is a crime.
In the statement, AJAG further demands that like all crimes, Israel must be held accountable under international law.
“The world’s silence and inaction make us all complicit to the murders of our Palestinian colleagues.
“We call on all national journalist groups and formations, along with the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and other continental and international press groups to demand accountability and justice.
“African voices cannot be silent,” added the statement.
