Human Rights and Democracy Media Center- “SHAMS”, condemns strongly the Israeli occupation’s crime of murdering the Palestinian journalist, Martyr Shireen Abu Aqla, correspondent of Al- Jazeera Satellite Channel, this morning (Wednesday 11/5/2022) in Jenin. Martyr Abu Aqla was targeted directly by an Israeli military sniper with a bullet in her head while she was in the field covering the attack of the occupation committed against Jenin Refugee Camp. Murdering Shireen is within the series of crimes that the occupation’s army commits against women and children in clear interpretation of its racism socialization and doctrine that is based on killing, bloodshed, and destruction. It is clear that the Israeli occupation ignores the international conventions and treaties and principles as well as the rules of wars in its practices against Palestinians and against journalists as well.
“SHAMS” Center Calls upon immediate international investigation about this crime and the necessity to form an international investigative commission to uncover the crime of targeting martyr Shireen Abu Aqla, while she was on duty and wearing journalism vest, covering the invasion of Jenin Refugee Camp. Targeting journalists while they are on duty violates the International Law clearly, especially Geneva Fourth Convention, and the Security Council Resolution number 2222 related to the protection of journalists.
“SHAMS” Center emphasizes that the political and military leaderships of the occupation state believe that through targeting Shireen Abu Aqla and other Palestinian journalists, they will manage to cover the facts about their crimes against Palestinians. Martyr Shireen Abu Aqla had been targeted tens of times in the past during her work in the field, especially during the second Intifada, where hundreds of crimes were committed against Palestinians in the various cities, villages, towns, and refugee camps. The role of Shireen and other journalists in publicizing the crimes of the occupation was clear and that is the reason behind targeting her today. We believe that Al- Jazeera and Other international and Arabic channels will resume their significant role in publicizing the practices of the occupation and its crimes against Palestinians. We believe that these channels will remain committed to their mission, principles, and values to keep publicizing the occupation’s crimes. The correspondents of Al- Jazeera alike the rest of the journalists will remain in the frontlines to report about the crimes of the occupation as well as eye witnesses of the occupation’s crimes against Palestinians that had been practiced and are still practiced since over than a century within an ongoing process of Palestinians struggle for independence and national liberation.
“SHAMS” Center confirms that Martyr Shireen Abu Aqla dedicated her life to her mission and profession and always she was to the side of the poor, oppressed, and refugees. Her human sense was clear in all the reports and programs she delivered with clear professionalism. Shireen was a brilliant woman and journalist and colleague. She will remain in our hearts and in the hearts of millions of persons who used to follow up her brave work and field reports. Martyr Shireen will be one of the Palestinian icons whose history will be taught in the various media colleges.
“SHAMS” Center expresses its deep condolences to Shireen’s family, friends, Journalists League, fans, followers, and colleagues at Al- Jazeera Satellite Channel. We also wish quick recovery for journalist Ai Al- Sammoudi who was injured in the same crime.
“SHAMS” Center calls upon the international community to fulfil its responsibility to account the Israeli occupation for its crimes against the Palestinian journalists. There is a necessity to implement the UNSCR 2222 regarding protecting journalists to ensure accounting the occupation and its settlers for their crimes. “SHAMS” calls upon the International Union of Journalists and the International governmental and non- governmental organizations for immediate support of the Palestinian journalists and protecting them. There is a need for immediate act as the occupation forces are going on in attacking the Palestinian journalists. We call upon the international community to interfere and press on the occupation to enable Palestinian journalists to enjoy freedom of mobility in order to be able to reflect the news and cover the acts in Palestine with no obstacles.
Salutes to all Palestinian journalists and bloggers who are attached to their profession and role. Salutes to all those who reflect the suffering of Palestinians within their work and greetings are extended as well to all the Arabic and International News Agencies and journalists (Palestinians and internationals) who dedicate their efforts to publicize the crimes of the occupation. The efforts of all those brave fighters, who managed to expose the world to the ongoing acts of the occupation against Palestinians, are highly appreciated.
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