JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 20, 2021
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ISLAMABAD—Journalists and international experts from around the world have called upon the international community to unite and act against human rights violations in Palestine.
They demanded an immediate halt to Israel’s atrocities and suggested taking the case of attacks on innocent people and media outlets to the International Court of Justice.
They spoke at a webinar titled “Israeli Aggression against Humanity, Press Freedom and Our Responsibility” organized by National Press Club to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The webinar was live-streamed on Facebook and Twitter and addressed by several prominent speakers. Secretary-General National Press Club, Anwar Raza, and Vice President Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) Myra Imran hosted the event.
The speakers said that for 73 years, the world has been watching Israel’s brutalities and violence. Still, no action has been taken to protect the rights and lives of Palestinian people. They urged those who believe in humanity and human rights to come out on the streets and pressure their governments to side with the weak and the victims.
The webinar started with introductory comments by Secretary-General Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Nasir Zaidi. He expressed disappointment over the reaction of Muslim countries and stressed more reliance on citizen activism. He suggested taking the case of Israel’s aggression against media to the International Court of Justice.
Assistant secretary-general for the Arab Medical Union and a former minister of health and the Minister of Youth and Sports Palestine, Basem Naim, thanked the Pakistani people and the government for consistently supporting the Palestinian people. He shared the situation on the ground and said that more than 250 Palestinian people had been martyred, 63 children. The vaccination center has been bombed and attacks continue on the infrastructure catering to the people’s basic needs.
As social media activist and operations manager of ‘We Are Not Numbers Palestine,’ Asmaa Tayeh said the participants and listeners could hear the sound of fighter jets bombing Gaza. She talked about the life of Palestinians and the condition of basic facilities. She demanded the world to speak up and stand up for the Palestinians.
Head of Israeli Colonial Department at Vision Center for Political Development, Istanbul, Feras Ali Qawasmeh suggested that media should enhance pressure on the governments and international community regarding their responsibility towards oppressed Palestinian people.
Director General League of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds, Dr. Mohammad Makram Balawi, urged the media to confirm facts and events with the Palestinian journalists and experts as the western media reported the whole situation in a biased manner. He also gave tips to Pakistani journalists regarding the use of words and terms while reporting or writing pieces on the Palestinian situation.
Others who spoke from the international community were Bilal Alakhras from Malaysia, director of Public Policy Department at the prime minister office in Gaza; Dr. Abdullah Waleed, journalist, researcher, and op-ed writer for Daily Sabah, Ali Abo Rezeq; Lord Nazir Ahmed, and Chairman Khubaib Foundation Nadeem Khan.
The webinar was also addressed by eminent anchors, senior journalists, and experts from across Pakistan—Asma Sherazi, Mazhar Abbas, Munizae Jahangir, Khalid Azeem, President PFUJ Shahzada Zulfiqar, former president PFUJ Afzal Butt, President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari and Sardar Shafiq.
They expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemned Israeli atrocities. They suggested using creative ways to combine efforts with the Palestinian media persons in highlighting the facts. They also demanded access to Gaza and other affected places to share authentic information with their viewers, readers, and listeners.
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