Legal cases have been filed before the International Criminal Court accusing Israel of war crimes for its targeting of journalists working in Palestine and its failure to investigate the killings of media workers.

The complaint before the International Criminal Court early this April was filed by the International Federation of Journalists, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, and the International Center for Justice for Palestinians in coordination with leading human rights lawyers from Bendman and Duvet Street.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court officially announced its receipt of the complaint on April 25, and the complaint - which will now be under consideration by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and may lead to an official investigation and trial - accuses the Israeli security services of committing war crimes against journalists .

The complaint details the systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists, and was submitted on behalf of 4 victims, Ahmed Abu Hussein, Yasser Murtaja, Moaz Amarneh and Nidal Shtayyeh, who were killed or injured by Israeli snipers during demonstrations inside the Gaza Strip.

All of these victims were wearing jackets with "press" written on them when they were shot.

The complaint also details the targeting of the media themselves and the bombing of the Al-Shorouk and Al-Jawhara towers in Gaza City in May 2021, including issues related to Al-Akhbar Al-Alam, Al-Hayat newspaper, Al-Mayadeen Al-Media, Gate 24, and others.

targeting journalists

The International Federation of Journalists has repeatedly threatened to deliberately target journalists and the media by Israel.

At least 46 journalists have been killed since 2000 and no one has been held accountable for this.

In December 2020, the International Federation of Journalists and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate submitted complaints to the office of the United Nations Special Rapporteur, about how journalists working in Palestine are regularly targeted, and the failure to conduct any investigation into the killings of media workers and violations of the rights to life and freedom Expressing what is considered a violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.

The complaint submitted to the office of the UN rapporteur also detailed what Palestinian journalists suffer from discrimination, violations of freedom of movement, and the restrictions imposed on their accreditation as journalists.

However, in light of Israel's behavior as if it were above accountability, the targeting operations continued.

In May 2021, Israel bombed media facilities inside Gaza.

At least two journalists were killed and 100 others injured in separate incidents.

“Targeting journalists and media organizations in Palestine violates the right to life and the right to freedom of expression. These crimes must be fully investigated. This systematic targeting must stop,” says IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger. We are proud to work with the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and the International Center for Justice to Palestinians and the Bindman and Duty Street Law Firm to hold accountable those who commit crimes against journalists.

The group's legal advisor, Jennifer Robinson, and supported by attorney Tatiana Eatwell of Dafty Street Law Firm, said, "The cases brought with the ICC Prosecutor relate to the ongoing systematic attacks and the use of lethal force against journalists and media organizations in Palestine by Israeli security forces."

"These journalists and media organizations were targeted in circumstances that raise suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity," she added.

And she added, "In light of the continued impunity of those who perpetrate these attacks, the victims are now calling on the ICC prosecutor to exercise his powers and powers to investigate and to put an end to the security situation from accountability, and through this to send a message to the international community as a whole that journalists who Working on the front lines of armed conflict, crisis and political turmoil, they are not easy prey.

Tayeb Ali, director of the International Center for Justice for Palestinians and partner at the Bendman Law Foundation, says, “Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of any democracy. It is unacceptable that journalists are targeted in conflict zones anywhere in the world, and there should be dire consequences for those who They try to hide their crimes and violations that lead to the killing or wounding of journalists."

He continued, "On February 5, 2021, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court acknowledged that it has powers to consider the situations in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. We are confident that the International Criminal Court will investigate the matter and prosecute those responsible for committing the crimes mentioned. in our complaint.

Ali added, "There is no more important time than this when we are in for the International Criminal Court and the international community to send a clear message to states that seek to advance their interests by committing war crimes that they will not be allowed to act as if they enjoy immunity, and that instead they will They will be held accountable for their violations.”