Ismail Haniyeh honours martyred, wounded journalists
26 November 2012
At an event in Gaza City today organised by the Government Media Office to honour the journalists killed and wounded by Israel during the so-called Operation Pillar of Defence, Imad Al Franji, head of al-Quds TV, spoke on behalf of all of the shelled media offices in Gaza.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh presenting posthumous awards to the families of martyred journalists
Al Franji said they will renew their demand that the International Federation of Journalists cancels Israel’s membership, and that IFJ send a delegation to Gaza to investigate Israeli crimes against the media during the recent offensive.
“Do not kill Palestinian journalists twice, once by Israeli rockets, and the second time by international silence about these crimes leaving Israel unaccountable for them,” he pleaded.
Yasser Abul Heen, President of the Palestinian Journalists’ Union, celebrated today’s resignation of Ehud Barak as a potent symbol of Palestinian victory.
Abu Heen advised that a delegation of journalists from 40 unions in the Arab Jounalists Union will arrive in Gaza on Thursday to see the Israeli crimes with their own eyes, and assist in holding Israel to account for them.
The father of martyred journalist Hossam Salama broke down in tears as he asked the international media how they could stand by and watch as women and children were killed, and his son was burning.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh expressed his appreciation for the great work done by journalists during the eights days of Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Haniyeh said that the Palestinian media conquered the Israeli media, in the same way that the Palestinian Resistance conquered the Israeli armed forces.
“Dear journalists and media persons, you are heroes,” he said. “You moved around under fire and the sound of drones and F-16s to find and expose the truth.”
The Prime Minister announced a one-year exemption from licence fees for television and radio stations, in recognition of their valuable contribution to the Palestinian victory.
Translation: Fatma Al Hasham
