Israel, in Full Collusion with the United States, Targets Media Freedom

Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations of condemned the targeted attacks by the Israeli regime against Palestinian journalists, emphasizing that journalists risk their lives to tell the truth about Palestine and Gaza.

In the statement issued on World Press Freedom Day (May 3), it was stated:

This year, World Press Freedom Day is marked by mourning and anger. For a long time, the Israeli regime, in full collusion with the United States, has directly targeted the essence of media freedom.

We emphasize:

1. Israel deliberately targets journalists in Gaza, killing dozens, bombing media offices, destroying journalists' homes, and forcing news coverage offices to shut down. This constitutes a war crime and a violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
   The recent ban and closure of Al Jazeera's activities in the Palestinian occupied territories is a blatant attempt to silence narratives and erase the truth of the genocide in Gaza. This is a calculated move to control the narrative and silence the voices of resistance media.
   The United States is complicit not only through military aid to Israel but also by protecting it from international accountability. By remaining silent about press killings and media suppression, the U.S. is complicit in the suppression of truth and the support of apartheid.
   Western media institutions and social media platforms also play a role in biased censorship by spreading misinformation, justifying Israel's aggression, and silencing Palestinian voices.
   The killing of journalists is a political act. The international community must no longer tolerate the impunity with which Israeli occupying forces commit these crimes.

The Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations of Malaysia also calls for the following:

1. An immediate halt to all attacks on journalists and media infrastructure in Gaza and the occupied territories.
   An independent international investigation into the killings of journalists by Israeli forces, with legal action in the International Criminal Court.
   Full support and protection for Al Jazeera and all independent media that honestly report on the Palestinian struggle.
   A unified stance from international media organizations to condemn and resist Israel's suppression of press freedom.
   Sanctions and punitive measures against Israel for its systematic violations of press freedom and crimes against journalists.
   An urgent meeting of UN bodies and global press freedom organizations to address the unprecedented attacks on the press in conflict zones, focusing on Israel's role in these attacks.

Journalism is not a crime. Telling the truth is not terrorism. Targeting journalists is targeting the truth itself.
On World Press Freedom Day, we express solidarity with every journalist who risks their life to report what is happening in Gaza and Palestine. We honor their sacrifices and demand justice in their name.