Association of Journalists of Slovenia Appeal: We Must Not Be Accomplices While People in Gaza Die of Hunger Before Our Eyes

(Patria) - The Association of Journalists of Slovenia has issued an appeal to journalists and media professionals worldwide, urging them not to be accomplices to crimes in Palestine through their silence.

Numerous journalistic associations from around the world, Europe, and our region have joined the appeal, which we are transmitting in its entirety, such as the International Federation of Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists, the journalists' unions of France and Croatia, the Croatian Journalists' Association, the Hungarian Association of Journalists, PEN Slovenia, Free Press Unlimited…

For 19 months, we have witnessed the brutal killing of civilians in Gaza – children, women, journalists, and humanitarian workers. The suffering of the civilian population has deepened in recent weeks due to the blockade of humanitarian aid to the enclave. People in Gaza are dying of hunger while we helplessly watch the situation worsen.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed so far, including over 200 media professionals. Systemic attacks on journalists and denial of access to foreign correspondents are unacceptable.

In such circumstances, the surviving Palestinian journalists and media workers bear an unimaginable burden of documenting the war. Behind every news report from Gaza is a media worker who risked their life to bring it to the world. Often for the last time.

Despite their sacrifice in perilous conditions to bring truthful information from Gaza, crimes against humanity continue. Solidarity with our Palestinian colleagues is not just a matter of professional ethics, but also of fundamental human dignity.

- What is happening in Gaza is not hidden. It is documented. I expect more from my colleagues around the world – to report on everything happening in Palestine, but more importantly, to speak more balancedly and honestly about the genocide – says Palestinian journalist Fareed Taamallah.

The Slovenian Association of Journalists appeals to journalists worldwide: Ask politicians what they will do about the deliberate starvation of the people of Gaza!

As journalists, we have a professional and ethical duty not to remain silent in the face of the most serious human rights violations. In Gaza, the systematic and deliberate starvation of the civilian population is unfolding before the eyes of the entire world. This is not a humanitarian crisis without responsibility – this is a tragedy caused by politics. And we must speak about it loudly and clearly.

Therefore, we call on all journalists worldwide: ask politicians what they will do. Demand answers. Insist on the truth. Do not settle for empty words or evasion. Ask them directly: What will you do to stop this? How will you prevent further suffering?

We cannot and must not be mere observers. Silence is a form of complicity. Our profession is not neutral when it comes to crimes against humanity – our profession requires us to seek the truth and ensure accountability.

Journalists worldwide – let us unite our voices! We must not become accomplices to these crimes through our silence.

- Journalists should question politicians more sharply, not be polite. Politicians will not react unless there is great pressure from the public and journalists. As journalists, we want to tell the truth and reveal what is happening behind the scenes. And that is exactly what we need.

Unfortunately, what is happening in Palestine is not happening behind the scenes – it is happening in front of the cameras. Live. No one can say they don't know or didn't know. Genocide and starvation are not hidden. We need more attention and more pressure to stop this – emphasizes Taamallah, whose statement is conveyed in the appeal by the Association of Journalists of Slovenia.