The NewsGuild-CWA condemns the Israeli government’s attack on media organizations in Gaza in the strongest possible terms. The intentional bombing of offices housing the Associated Press and Al Jazeera was a blatant attack on press freedom that was clearly intended to prevent independent reporting on the government’s actions. It violates international law.
Israeli Defense Forces gave occupants of the building housing the media organizations one-hour notice before destroying the 12-story building.
The attack followed the deception of the international press about plans to launch a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. Israeli press reports indicate that the deception was intentional, designed to use the false reports to lure Hamas fighters into underground tunnels and increase casualties.
We call on the Israeli government to end attacks on Palestinian civilians and the press, and we call on the Biden Administration to pressure Israeli leaders to end illegal attacks on civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Photo: MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images.